Use-case guide
Best AI coding tools
Short answer: Cursor is best for AI-native code editing, GitHub Copilot for enterprise-friendly IDE assistance, Replit for browser-based projects, and Lovable or Bolt.new for prompt-to-app prototyping.
Match the tool to the job
Match the coding tool to the build stage
Editing an existing codebase, getting IDE help, building in the browser, and prompt-prototyping are separate jobs.
Edit the real codebase
Cursor
Best when the job is understanding, changing, debugging, and refactoring existing code.
IDE assistAssist inside the IDE
GitHub Copilot
A strong enterprise-friendly default for suggestions where developers already work.
Browser buildBuild in the browser
Replit
Useful for small projects, experiments, and deployment without a local setup.
Prompt prototypePrototype from a prompt
Lovable
Good when the goal is quickly testing an app idea with a visible product surface.
Alternate prototypeTry another app draft
Bolt.new
A useful alternate prompt-to-app path when speed matters more than code ownership.
Lovable and Bolt.new are useful before code ownership matters; Cursor and Copilot matter once the codebase is real.