Bolt.new vs Cursor: Which AI Coding Assistant is Right for You?

As a solo founder or indie hacker, you often wear multiple hats—developer, marketer, and sometimes even a customer support rep. With the rise of AI coding assistants, tools like Bolt.new and Cursor promise to lighten the load, but which one is actually worth your time and money in 2026? I've spent weeks testing both, and I'm here to break down what works, what doesn't, and help you decide which tool suits your unique coding needs.

Feature Comparison: Bolt.new vs Cursor

Let's dive into the nitty-gritty of what each tool offers. In my experience, the right choice depends largely on your specific use case.

| Feature | Bolt.new | Cursor | |-------------------|-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------| | Code Suggestions | Contextual suggestions based on your code | AI-generated snippets based on natural language queries | | Integration | Integrates with VSCode and JetBrains | Works with VSCode and GitHub Codespaces | | Customizability | Highly customizable with user-defined prompts | Limited customization options | | Pricing | Free tier + $15/mo pro | $29/mo, no free tier | | Best For | Developers who want tailored suggestions | Developers who need quick code generation | | Limitations | May struggle with complex queries | Less effective for debugging tasks | | Our Take | We use this for ongoing projects | We don’t use this as much for our workflows |

Pricing Breakdown: What You Need to Know

Understanding pricing is crucial for indie hackers who often operate on tight budgets. Here’s how the costs stack up:

• Bolt.new:

  • Free tier available (good for basic use)
  • Pro plan at $15/month, which includes advanced features and unlimited suggestions.

• Cursor:

  • No free tier.
  • Fixed pricing at $29/month, which can feel steep for solo developers, but includes robust feature sets.

In our experience, if you're just starting out or working on small side projects, Bolt.new's free tier is a good way to test the waters without any financial commitment.

Use Cases: When to Choose Each Tool

1. Choose Bolt.new if:

   • You need tailored code suggestions based on your own coding style.
   • You're working on long-term projects and need a tool that learns from your habits.
   • You prefer a budget-friendly option that still offers powerful features.

2. Choose Cursor if:

   • You often query code snippets in natural language and need quick responses.
   • You work primarily in collaborative environments like GitHub Codespaces.
   • You're okay with a higher price point for the convenience of rapid coding.

Limitations: What You Should Consider

Both tools have their shortcomings. Bolt.new sometimes struggles with complex queries, often providing suggestions that are too simplistic for advanced coding tasks. Meanwhile, Cursor, while quick, lacks the customizability that many developers crave, making it less suitable for personalized workflows.

Our Experience: What We Actually Use

After testing both tools extensively, we found that Bolt.new fits better with our workflow. The ability to customize prompts and receive tailored suggestions has significantly improved our coding efficiency. However, for rapid prototyping or when we need quick snippets, we occasionally turn to Cursor.

Conclusion: Start Here

If you're a solo developer or indie hacker looking for an AI coding assistant in 2026, I recommend starting with Bolt.new. The free tier allows you to test its capabilities without any financial risk, and the pro plan is reasonably priced for the value it provides.

Final Recommendation: Go for Bolt.new to build a customized coding experience, but keep Cursor in your back pocket for those times when you need fast code generation.