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What Is Bolt? (2026 Answer)
Bolt (Agentdex profile) (also called Bolt.new (Agentdex profile)) is an AI app builder that turns plain-English prompts into working web and mobile apps, right in your browser. Built by StackBlitz, it writes the code, runs it live, and can add a database, authentication and hosting without you setting up any infrastructure. This guide explains what Bolt does, how it works, what it costs as of October 2026, and who it suits.
Looking for the ride-hailing and delivery company? That is a different business, Bolt at bolt.eu. This article is about the AI app builder at bolt.new.
Key Takeaways
- Bolt is a browser-based AI app builder from StackBlitz. You describe an app, and Bolt's agent writes, runs and previews the code in real time.
- Bolt Cloud includes databases, authentication, file storage, edge functions and hosting, so many apps can go from prompt to live URL without other services.
- Pricing as of October 2026: Free ($0, 1M tokens a month), Pro ($18/month billed annually, 10M tokens a month), Teams ($27 per member per month billed annually) and Enterprise (custom).
- Bolt is strong for prototypes, MVPs, internal tools and landing pages. Complex products still need someone who can read the code, review changes and handle edge cases.
What Bolt is, in plain English
Bolt is a chat-based tool for building software. You type something like "a booking app for a yoga studio with a calendar, payments and an admin page", and Bolt generates a full project: front end, back end logic, database tables and styling. A live preview runs beside the chat, so you see the app working as it is built, then refine it by asking for changes.
Unlike a no-code tool with drag-and-drop blocks, Bolt produces real code that you can view, edit and download. You own the code, you can sync it to GitHub, and you can keep working on it in Bolt or in a regular code editor.
How Bolt works
Bolt runs on StackBlitz's WebContainers technology, which runs a full Node.js development environment inside your browser. That is why there is nothing to install: the code, the package installs and the dev server all run in the browser tab.
A typical session looks like this:
- Prompt: describe the app. You can also start from a Figma design, a GitHub repository, a Lovable (Agentdex profile) project or Google Stitch.
- Plan: optionally use Plan Mode to agree the approach before Bolt writes code.
- Build: Bolt's agent creates files, installs packages and runs the app. Choose the Standard agent (the only option on the Free plan) or the Max agent on paid plans; Bolt selects the underlying model automatically.
- Iterate: ask for changes in chat, or edit the code directly.
- Publish: deploy to Bolt hosting with a free bolt.host subdomain, or a custom domain on paid plans.
Bolt also supports real-time multiplayer editing, so several people can work on the same project.
Bolt Cloud: databases, auth and hosting
Earlier versions of Bolt relied on connecting outside services for the back end. Today Bolt Cloud covers most of it:
- Databases: unlimited databases, even on the Free plan, which you can later claim into your own Supabase account.
- Authentication, file storage, edge functions and secrets: the common building blocks of a working app.
- Hosting: one-click publishing to a bolt.host subdomain, with custom domains on paid plans.
Integrations cover Stripe for payments, GitHub for code sync, Google sign-in, and MCP servers and connectors on paid plans. For mobile apps, Bolt works with Expo, so you can build React Native apps and test them on your phone.
Bolt pricing (October 2026)
Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
Free | $0 | 1M tokens a month (300K daily limit), Bolt branding, hosting, unlimited databases, Standard agent |
Pro | $18/month billed annually ($216/year) | 10M tokens a month with rollover, no daily limit, custom domains, no Bolt branding, connectors and MCPs, Max agent |
Teams | $27 per member per month billed annually ($324/year) | Everything in Pro plus centralized billing, team admin, SSO and private NPM registries |
Enterprise | Custom | SOC 2 Type II, audit logs, advanced security and support |
Bolt charges by tokens, which are units of text processed by the AI. Bigger projects use more tokens per change, because the agent reads more code each time. Keep prompts focused, use Plan Mode for big changes, and avoid asking Bolt to regenerate large parts of the app unnecessarily. Check Bolt's pricing page for the current monthly prices and token amounts.
What Bolt builds well, and where it struggles
Good fits:
- MVPs and prototypes to test an idea with real users
- Internal tools, dashboards and admin panels
- Landing pages, marketing sites and simple SaaS front ends
- Mobile app prototypes through Expo
- Turning a Figma design into a working front end
Harder cases:
- Large, complex codebases, where each change uses more tokens and the agent can lose track of earlier decisions
- Apps with strict security, compliance or performance requirements, which need careful human review
- Unusual stacks or back ends outside the JavaScript ecosystem
- Long-running projects that need tests, CI and code review, where moving to a local editor often makes sense
The honest trade-off: Bolt is fast at getting you to a working app, but AI-generated code still needs review. If no one on the team can read the code, budget time for bugs and edge cases, or bring in a developer before launch.
Who Bolt is for
- Non-technical founders who want a working prototype without hiring a developer first.
- Designers who want to turn Figma designs into real, clickable apps.
- Developers who want to scaffold a project fast, then export it to GitHub and continue in their own editor.
- Small teams building internal tools that would not justify a full engineering project.
If you want an AI agent inside a local editor instead, look at tools like Cursor (Agentdex profile) or Claude Code (Agentdex profile). If you are comparing prompt-to-app builders, Lovable and Replit (Agentdex profile) are the closest alternatives; see our best AI app builders guide and Lovable pricing breakdown.
Bolt vs Lovable vs Replit, briefly
- Bolt: runs the full dev environment in your browser, includes Bolt Cloud, supports Expo for mobile, priced by tokens.
- Lovable: prompt-to-app builder focused on web apps, priced by credits, with Pro from $25/month for 100 credits.
- Replit: a cloud development platform with Replit Agent, hosting and databases, and a full IDE for people who want to code too. Core is $20/month.
FAQ About Bolt
Is Bolt free?
Yes, Bolt has a free plan with 1M tokens a month (and a 300K daily limit), hosting and unlimited databases. Paid plans start with Pro at $18/month billed annually for 10M tokens a month.
Is Bolt the same as Bolt.new?
Yes. Bolt.new is the address of Bolt, the AI app builder made by StackBlitz. It is not related to Bolt, the ride-hailing and delivery company.
Do I own the code Bolt generates?
Yes. You can view and edit all the code, download it, and sync it to GitHub to continue in any editor.
Can Bolt build mobile apps?
Yes. Bolt works with Expo to build React Native mobile apps that you can preview on your phone. Publishing to the app stores still goes through Apple's and Google's normal processes.
Does Bolt include a database?
Yes. Bolt Cloud includes databases, authentication, file storage and edge functions, even on the free plan. You can later move the database into your own Supabase account.
Which AI model does Bolt use?
Bolt picks the model automatically. You choose between the Standard agent and, on paid plans, the more capable Max agent.
Written by Agentdex Editorial. Agentdex is an independent directory reviewing AI coding tools; we are not affiliated with the companies mentioned. Prices and features are as of October 24, 2026, from official sources linked above. Always confirm on the vendor's site.