Base44 vs Bolt.new
Our verdict
The Verdict
Choose Base44 when you want the more guided, integrated route from a prompt to a managed business app; choose Bolt when you want a browser development workspace, broader JavaScript framework choice, and more direct control over project files. Both can now create full-stack apps with a database, authentication, server functions, storage, and hosting, so the old “Base44 has a backend while Bolt needs Supabase” comparison is obsolete. Base44 combines a prompt-first builder, visual editing, direct code access, a managed NoSQL database, authentication, realtime data, file storage, and hosting. Bolt also offers a native backend through Bolt Cloud while keeping frameworks, files, source control, and the development environment more visible. Supabase remains optional rather than required.
Pricing reflects those different operating models. Base44 Free includes 25 monthly message credits and 100 integration credits; Starter costs $20/month or $16/month on annual billing, but custom domains, backend functions, and GitHub begin with Builder at $50/month or $40/month annually. Bolt Free includes 1M monthly tokens with a 300K daily cap, hosting, and unlimited databases; Pro starts at $25/month with 10M tokens, rollover, and a custom domain. Neither headline allowance predicts finished features: Base44 separates build and runtime credits, while Bolt's token consumption generally rises as the codebase grows. Our honest read: Base44 is usually the better fit for business portals, workflows, and internal tools when you want fewer infrastructure choices; Bolt is often the stronger fit for JavaScript projects, an Expo mobile path, or a code-first handoff. Both still require deliberate testing of permissions, generated logic, and production behavior.
Choose Base44 if
- You want the database, authentication, realtime data, storage, and hosting managed in one workspace
- You prefer a prompt-first and visual workflow with code access instead of assembling the stack yourself
- You're building a business portal, internal workflow, or customer app and want fewer operating decisions
- You accept that custom domains, backend functions, and GitHub require Builder rather than Starter
Choose Bolt if
- You want broader JavaScript framework choice or an Expo path for a mobile app
- You want project files, source control, and the browser development workspace kept close to the surface
- You want to choose between Bolt Cloud's managed backend and an optional Supabase setup
- You value GitHub, project downloads, and direct code handoff, and can manage token use as the codebase grows
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | B Base44 | B Bolt.new |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.5/10 | 7.3/10 |
| Backend & Database | 9 | 7 |
| Code Export | 6 | 9 |
| Community & Support | 8 | 7 |
| Connections | 8 | 8 |
| Data Security | 9 | 7 |
| Deployment | 9 | 8 |
| Ease of Use | 9 | 7 |
| Pricing Value | 8 | 6 |
| Speed to MVP | 9 | 8 |
| UI Quality | 8 | 8 |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Founded | 2024 | 2024 |
| Company | Base44 | StackBlitz |
Criterion-by-Criterion Breakdown
Backend & Database
Base44 provides a managed NoSQL database, authentication, backend functions, realtime updates, row-level permissions and file storage in the same platform as the builder.
Bolt Cloud now includes managed databases, authentication, file storage, logs, secrets and server functions without a third-party account; Supabase remains available for more advanced control.
Code Export
Direct React/Vite editing, two-way GitHub sync and local development provide real frontend code access. The 6 reflects the harder boundary: eject does not move production data, and managed backend services require a deliberate migration.
Builders can edit the complete project code, connect GitHub, download the project or open it in StackBlitz. The code is portable, although connected hosting and data services may still require migration work.
Community & Support
Support combines documentation, an in-product assistant, a support form and Discord community access. Official support routes are clear, although the peer ecosystem is less established than the largest communities in the category.
Bolt provides an official help center and open Discord community; paid users also receive email support. The support structure is useful, though less extensive than the largest builder communities.
Connections
Built-in integrations, shared or per-user OAuth connectors, reusable OpenAPI connectors and custom API calls through backend functions cover broad business workflows. Catalog availability, setup and integration-credit use still vary by connector.
Bolt supports GitHub, Figma, Stripe and Expo, plus either Bolt Database or Supabase. The range is practical for web and mobile builds, while backend language support remains centered on JavaScript.
Data Security
Base44 documents SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001 and GDPR controls, encryption in transit and at rest, managed secrets, security scanning and enterprise identity and data-governance options. App owners must still configure roles and permissions correctly.
Bolt now documents SOC 2 Type II, GDPR/CCPA, encryption, isolated browser execution and automated security review. SSO, audit logs and advanced governance are Enterprise features, and generated-app authorization still needs hands-on validation.
Deployment
Apps can publish to managed Base44 hosting and use custom domains on eligible paid plans. The hosting path is optimized for SPA/static frontends, while backend services remain on Base44's managed infrastructure.
Built-in hosting publishes every project to a free `bolt.host` URL, while paid plans add custom domains and higher traffic limits. Sites can pause when hard free-plan hosting limits are reached.
Ease of Use
A prompt-first workspace can create and revise the interface, data, authentication and app logic together, while code editing and developer tools remain available when needed. This makes Base44 accessible without limiting it to beginner-only projects.
Bolt supports prompt-first building with no coding required, while still exposing frameworks, source control and direct code editing. Token budgeting and JavaScript-focused architecture become more relevant as projects grow.
Pricing Value
Free includes 25 monthly message credits and 100 integration credits; Starter begins at $16/month when billed annually. The separate build and runtime credit pools make expected usage important when choosing a plan.
Free includes 1M monthly tokens with a 300K daily cap; Pro starts at $25/month with 10M tokens and hosting. Because Bolt repeatedly reads project files, token use generally rises as a codebase grows.
Speed to MVP
Managed database, authentication, backend functions, hosting and common integrations reduce the setup between a prompt and a working app. Complex permissions and production logic still need deliberate testing.
A prompt can produce a working web app with authentication and database tables in minutes, and Bolt Cloud removes separate database and hosting setup. Larger or more complex apps still benefit from staged prompts and testing.
UI Quality
The responsive visual editor, theme controls, reference images and direct code access support professional interfaces. Reaching a distinctive, highly polished result still depends on the design direction and iteration supplied by the builder.
Bolt can generate and refine interfaces from prompts and import Figma frames, including team design-system context. Visual consistency still depends on the supplied design direction and component coverage.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Base44 if
Non-technical owners and teams that want an integrated business app with data, users, automations and hosting, plus a path into code and Git when needed.
Choose Bolt.new if
Developers who want to prototype full-stack apps quickly in the browser.