Writing code previously required learning programming languages, memorizing syntax, and spending significant time on frameworks. With recent tools, users can request website builds using plain English, and the system creates functional sites. Lovable, a Stockholm-based platform with about 8 million users, enables people to create web applications by describing requirements instead of writing code. According to February 2025 data, the platform processes 25,000 new apps daily, and major corporations, including more than half of Fortune 500 companies, utilize the technology for rapid prototyping and development.
The term “vibe coding” originates from Andrej Karpathy, co-founder of OpenAI and former leader of Tesla’s AI team, who described this approach in February 2025 as embracing the vibes and disregarding the code itself. You tell the AI what you want, it writes the code, and you test the results without needing to understand the underlying programming. This method has grown so quickly that Y Combinator reported 25% of startups in its Winter 2025 batch had codebases that were 95% AI-generated.
Understanding Vibe Coding with Lovable
Lovable converts natural language prompts into web applications. Users describe their requirements, and the platform generates React and TypeScript code that runs immediately. The system includes Agent Mode, which reduces build errors by 90% according to company data, and automates several development tasks. The agent searches codebases, reads files to understand app structure, inspects logs and network activity for debugging, and searches the web for documentation or resources needed to complete tasks.
The platform connects directly to GitHub, giving users full ownership of generated code. You can export everything, modify it outside Lovable, or continue development with traditional programming tools. This differs from locked-in website builders, where you lose access to the underlying code. Lovable also includes one-click deployment with custom domain support, so finished projects go live without additional hosting setup.
Getting Started with Lovable
Creating an account on Lovable requires only an email address. The free plan provides 5 credits daily, up to 50 monthly, which translates to roughly 5 message exchanges with the AI per day. This covers small projects and testing. The Pro plan, at $25 per month, increases limits to 100 credits, allowing for 250 messages per month, plus unlimited private projects and custom domains.
After logging in, users start a new project by describing their goals. For example: “Create a three-page website for a bakery with a homepage showing featured products, an about page with our story, and a contact form that sends emails.” Lovable generates an initial version with placeholder content and basic styling.
Building Your First Vibe-Coded Website
The chat interface serves as your primary means of interaction. After Lovable creates the initial version, you refine it through conversation. You can tell it to change colors, adjust layouts, add new sections, or modify functionality. Each request triggers Agent Mode to analyze your existing code, plan changes, and implement them across multiple files simultaneously.
Visual Edits mode provides an interface for adjustments. Users can click elements, drag to resize, or select specific components for modification without writing prompts. This approach integrates natural language input with traditional visual design tools, enabling refinements without manual text descriptions for every change.
Database Integration and Advanced Features
Lovable includes native Supabase integration for projects needing data storage. Supabase provides a PostgreSQL database with real-time capabilities, user authentication, and file storage. Through Lovable’s interface, you set up database tables, create relationships, and implement authentication without writing SQL or backend code. A habit tracker app, for instance, needs user accounts and data persistence. You tell Lovable to add login functionality and create tables for storing habits and progress, and it configures everything automatically.
The platform handles payment integrations, API connections, and complex business logic through the same conversational interface. Users have built SaaS tools, interactive dashboards, and e-commerce sites using these capabilities. The generated code utilizes standard web technologies, allowing for the addition of custom features later if you have programming knowledge or hire developers.
Security Considerations and Limitations
A May 2025 report found security vulnerabilities in 170 out of 1,645 Lovable-created applications, where personal information could leak due to improperly configured database rules. While Agent Mode reduces errors by 91% according to company metrics, generated code still requires security review before use with sensitive data. The platform is most suitable for prototypes, internal tools, and projects that do not require strict security from the outset.
Lovable focuses on web applications, not mobile apps or complex backend systems. Projects requiring specialized server infrastructure, real-time video processing, or integration with legacy enterprise systems exceed its current capabilities. Even Karpathy hand-wrote his latest Nanochat project because AI agents couldn’t effectively handle the specific technical requirements.
GreenGeeks’ AI Website Builder: The WordPress Alternative
While Lovable excels at custom web applications, GreenGeeks’ AI-Powered WordPress Website Builder offers a different approach for those who prefer WordPress’s established ecosystem. Launched in January 2025, this tool creates complete WordPress sites in under a minute by analyzing business information you provide. The builder generates professional layouts, writes initial content, and automatically configures basic SEO settings.
GreenGeeks’ solution costs $2.95 monthly and includes hosting, making it more affordable than Lovable’s $25 Pro plan. The platform purchases three times the renewable energy it consumes, returning excess power to the grid. The Environmental Protection Agency has recognized GreenGeeks as a Green Power Partner since 2009. Every new customer triggers a tree planting through their partnership with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation in Portland, Oregon.
Comparing Approaches: Custom Code vs. WordPress
Lovable provides complete code ownership and flexibility for custom applications. You build unique functionality tailored to specific needs, export everything to GitHub, and maintain full control over the technology stack. This approach suits startups creating proprietary software, developers prototyping ideas quickly, or businesses needing features beyond standard website capabilities.
GreenGeeks’ WordPress builder leverages thousands of existing plugins and themes. Building an online store means installing WooCommerce rather than coding payment processing from scratch. The familiar WordPress dashboard handles content updates, user management, and site maintenance. This approach works better for traditional business websites, blogs, portfolios, and standard e-commerce sites where established solutions already exist.
Practical Implementation Steps
Starting with Lovable requires clearly describing your project. Instead of vague requests, provide specific details about functionality, user flows, and design preferences. A booking system prompt should specify the types of appointments, scheduling rules, confirmation emails, and payment requirements. More detail produces better initial results and reduces revision cycles.
For GreenGeeks’ builder, preparation means gathering business information, brand assets, and content outlines. The AI generates better results when you provide your actual business description, target audience details, and service offerings rather than accepting generic placeholder text. Having logos, color preferences, and key messaging ready speeds up the customization phase after initial generation.
Performance and Scalability Factors
Lovable generates modern React applications with TypeScript, producing code that follows current web development standards. The resulting sites load quickly and scale well, though optimization might require manual code review for high-traffic applications. The platform’s one-click deployment handles basic hosting needs, but production applications eventually need dedicated infrastructure planning.
GreenGeeks offers optimized WordPress hosting, featuring built-in caching, CDN integration, and server-level performance optimization. Sites handle traffic spikes more effectively due to established WordPress optimization techniques and GreenGeeks’ robust infrastructure. The platform includes automatic backups, security scanning, and update management that Lovable users must configure separately.
Making the Right Choice
Your project requirements determine the better option. Choose Lovable when building custom web applications, creating unique user interfaces, prototyping startup ideas, or needing full code ownership for future development. The platform suits technical and non-technical users who want specific functionality not available in standard website builders.
Choose GreenGeeks’ AI WordPress builder for traditional business websites, content-heavy sites needing regular updates, projects requiring extensive plugin ecosystems, or when environmental considerations matter. The lower cost and included hosting make it practical for small businesses, freelancers, and organizations with limited budgets.
Lovable processes 100,000 new products daily, according to November 2025 data. GreenGeeks offers WordPress hosting with a focus on environmental responsibility through the purchase of renewable energy. Choosing a platform depends on project requirements, technical needs, and long-term objectives. Factors include budget, required features, technical background, and preference for custom code or WordPress solutions.
