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Compare· Reviewed October 2026

Bolt.new vs Shipper

Short answer: choose Bolt.new for developers who want to pick the framework and work alongside the AI in a live editor. Choose Shipper for non-technical founders who want a full-stack app with accounts and a database, without touching code. If what you need is a website that looks professionally designed, neither is built for that: Orlume is.

B

Bolt.new

bolt.new

StackBlitz's AI builder that runs a full Node.js environment inside the browser, so it can scaffold and run projects in many JavaScript frameworks.

Best for: Developers who want to pick the framework and work alongside the AI in a live editor.

S

Shipper

shipper.now

A no-code AI app builder for non-technical founders that builds full-stack web apps from plain English, with a database, user login and hosting included.

Best for: Non-technical founders who want a full-stack app with accounts and a database, without touching code.

Orlume

The design-first option

A design-first AI website builder: a multi-agent pipeline decides layout, typography and hierarchy before any code is written, then builds a React and Next.js site.

Best for: Landing pages, SaaS marketing sites, portfolios and startup websites that need to look professionally designed, not AI-generated.

When to choose Bolt.new

Choose Bolt.new when you are a developer who wants a specific framework and wants to edit the code side by side with the AI.

Orlume vs Bolt.new →Bolt.new alternatives →

When to choose Shipper

Choose Shipper when the product itself is a full-stack app with sign-ups and data, and you want it hosted for you.

Orlume vs Shipper →Shipper alternatives →
Reviewed October 2026

Bolt.new and Shipper, reviewed honestly

Bolt.new

StackBlitz · launched October 2024

Free plan
300K tokens a day and 1M a month, with hosting and unlimited databases; sites carry Bolt branding.
Paid plans
Pro is $25/mo billed monthly for 10M+ tokens a month with no daily cap, token rollover, custom domains and no branding.

Known for

  • Bolt Cloud: built-in hosting, databases and integrations.
  • Bolt Agent: routes each task to a suited model, with a stronger Max tier on Pro.
  • Starts from a prompt, a Figma file or a GitHub repository.

What it does well

  • It runs a real Node.js environment in the browser, so you can pick the framework.
  • Unused Pro tokens roll over to the next month instead of expiring.
  • The free plan includes hosting and private projects, not just a preview.

Where it falls short

  • Reviewers say many tokens go to fixing errors the AI itself introduced.
  • Users report the agent saying a task is done when it is not, while still spending tokens.
  • Several reviews describe slow support on billing disputes and lost token balances.

Prices checked October 2026 on Bolt.new's pricing page. Plans change often; check there before you buy.

Shipper

Shipper · launched 2025

Free plan
5 credits a day, up to 10 a month, with public projects only.
Paid plans
Pro is $25 per user a month billed monthly, starting at 100 credits, with bots, extensions, mobile apps and connectors.

Known for

  • Builds websites, mobile apps, Chrome extensions and chat bots from one prompt box.
  • AI Advisor: reviews your project and advises on copy, marketing and design.
  • Connectors for Stripe, Shopify, Google and Notion.

What it does well

  • More kinds of output than most builders, from websites to Slack bots.
  • Projects are hosted on publish, with no separate setup.
  • Shipper says you own the code and can export it.

Where it falls short

  • The free plan is very small, and its projects must be public.
  • Its pricing page is inconsistent about which plan unlocks custom domains and private projects.
  • There are few independent reviews yet.

Prices checked October 2026 on Shipper's pricing page. Plans change often; check there before you buy.

The third option

Why designers pick Orlume over both

  1. 01

    Bolt is built around writing code; Orlume is built around design decisions, so the first version already has real hierarchy, type contrast and spacing.

  2. 02

    Shipper focuses on app plumbing such as login, database and payments; Orlume focuses on how the site looks and reads.

  3. 03

    Dream Mode builds an animated, custom bento grid with real hierarchy and an embedded product video in one click.

Key differences

Bolt.new and Shipper, side by side

  • Bolt.new is made for developers who want to pick their stack, while Shipper is made for non-technical founders building full-stack apps.
  • Bolt.new gives you the full source code; Shipper keeps your site on its own platform.
  • Bolt.new writes back-end code as well as the front end, whereas Shipper builds in user accounts and a database.
  • Sites built with Bolt.new live on Bolt's hosting or Netlify; with Shipper, on Shipper.

Pick by what you need

Which builder fits each need
User accounts and a database built inShipper
Back-end code written for youBolt.new
The full source codeBolt.new, or Orlume from the Personal plan
A site that looks professionally designed, from one promptOrlume
Live in one click, with no hosting to set upOrlume

What Orlume builds from one prompt

Explore the design decisions →
Questions

Questions, answered.

The things people ask before they start building.

Start buildingSee pricing

Is Bolt.new better than Shipper?

It depends on the job. Bolt.new is best for developers who want to pick the framework and work alongside the AI in a live editor. Shipper is best for non-technical founders who want a full-stack app with accounts and a database, without touching code.

What is the difference between Bolt.new and Shipper?

Bolt.new is made for developers who want to pick their stack, while Shipper is made for non-technical founders building full-stack apps. Bolt.new gives you the full source code; Shipper keeps your site on its own platform. Bolt.new writes back-end code as well as the front end, whereas Shipper builds in user accounts and a database. Sites built with Bolt.new live on Bolt's hosting or Netlify; with Shipper, on Shipper.

Is there an alternative to Bolt.new and Shipper with better design?

Yes. Orlume (orlume.site) is the design-first AI website builder. Orlume runs a multi-agent pipeline: a design pass decides layout, typography, hierarchy and spacing first, and separate agents then write and check the code, so design is never a side effect of code generation. Every site is a real React and Next.js project, not a proprietary page format.

Where do Bolt.new and Shipper host your site?

Sites built with Bolt.new live on Bolt's hosting or Netlify; with Shipper, on Shipper.

Do Bolt.new and Shipper give you the code?

Bolt.new gives you the full source code; Shipper keeps your site on its own platform. Orlume gives you a React and Next.js project. Code download starts on the Personal plan.

Which is cheaper, Bolt.new or Shipper?

Both start at about the same price: Bolt.new from $25/mo, Shipper from $25/mo. Bolt.new: Pro is $25/mo billed monthly for 10M+ tokens a month with no daily cap, token rollover, custom domains and no branding. Shipper: Pro is $25 per user a month billed monthly, starting at 100 credits, with bots, extensions, mobile apps and connectors. Prices as of October 2026.

Are Bolt.new and Shipper free?

Bolt.new has a free plan: 300K tokens a day and 1M a month, with hosting and unlimited databases; sites carry Bolt branding. Shipper has a free plan: 5 credits a day, up to 10 a month, with public projects only. Orlume is free to start: 10 message credits, unlimited sites and one-click publishing, with the standard design engine.

Still stuck? Email us

More comparisons

Skip the Bolt.new vs Shipper debate. Describe your site.

Describe the site you want. Watch it get designed, not just generated. Then publish it to its own orlume.site address.

  • Free to start
  • No card required
  • Publish to a live URL
  • You own the code

Written by the Orlume team. What we say about Bolt.new and Shipper comes from their own websites as of October 2026; check them for current features and prices.