Frascati vs Bolt.new vs v0: AI Builder Comparison
Frascati, Bolt.new, and v0 are three of the most talked-about AI builders in 2026. They all use large language models to turn text prompts into code, but they solve very different problems. Picking the wrong one wastes time and money, so let's break down what each does best.
The Core Difference
The simplest way to understand these three tools is by scope. Frascati generates complete, multi-section websites from a chat conversation. Bolt.new generates full-stack applications with backends and databases. v0 generates individual UI components. They overlap at the edges, but their sweet spots are distinct.
| Feature | Frascati | Bolt.new | v0 by Vercel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary output | Full websites | Full-stack apps | UI components |
| Framework | React + Tailwind | Any (React, Vue, Svelte, etc.) | React + shadcn/ui |
| Backend support | No (front-end focus) | Yes (Node.js, databases) | No |
| Real-time preview | Yes, streams as code generates | Yes, with full terminal | Yes, component preview |
| Publishing | One-click to live URL | Via Netlify | No built-in publishing |
| Code editor | Monaco (VS Code engine) | Full IDE with terminal | Code view only |
| Templates | 8 templates | Community templates | No templates |
| Export | Yes | Yes | Copy-paste |
| Ideal user | Founders, marketers, designers | Developers | Developers with existing projects |
Frascati: Websites from Conversations
Frascati's strength is speed-to-result for website projects. You open a new project, describe what you want, and watch a complete page render in the live preview as the AI writes code. The conversational model means iteration is natural: you say what to change, the AI updates the code, and the preview reflects it instantly.
The platform includes a Monaco code editor so you can make manual adjustments, but most users never touch it. The AI handles layout, styling, responsive design, and even icon selection from the Lucide library. With 14 CDN packages pre-loaded (React Router, Framer Motion, Recharts, and more), you can build surprisingly complex interactive sites without any configuration.
Where Frascati falls short: it generates front-end code only. If you need server-side logic, database connections, or authentication, you will need to export the code and add those yourself. It is a website builder, not an application platform.
Bolt.new: Full-Stack AI IDE
Bolt.new runs a full development environment in your browser using StackBlitz's WebContainers technology. This means it can install npm packages, run Node.js servers, and connect to databases. When you describe an application, Bolt scaffolds the entire project including file structure, backend routes, and database schema.
The power comes with complexity. Bolt's output can be harder to iterate on because changes might affect multiple files across the stack. The AI sometimes makes architectural decisions early on that are difficult to undo without starting over. Debugging requires developer-level skills because you are working with a real codebase, not a simplified abstraction.
Where Bolt falls short: the learning curve is real, and the cost per generation is higher because full-stack generations consume significantly more tokens. Simple websites are overkill for Bolt — it is like using a semi-truck to deliver a letter.
v0: Components, Not Websites
v0 is the most focused tool of the three. It generates individual React components using Vercel's shadcn/ui design system. The output is consistently clean, accessible, and well-structured. If you need a pricing table, a dashboard chart, a navigation menu, or a contact form, v0 produces excellent results.
The limitation is that v0 does not compose components into pages or sites. You generate one component at a time, copy the code, and paste it into your own project. There is no project management, no publishing, and no way to maintain state across components. It is a power tool for developers, not a solution for non-developers.
Where v0 falls short: it requires an existing project and developer skills to use the output. The shadcn/ui dependency means the generated code looks great but follows a specific design system that may not match your brand.
Pricing Breakdown
| Plan | Frascati | Bolt.new | v0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | 100 credits/mo | Limited daily tokens | Limited generations |
| Starter / Basic | $9/mo — 500 credits | $20/mo | $20/mo |
| Pro | $19/mo — 1,500 credits | $40/mo (teams) | — |
| Business | $39/mo — 4,000 credits | Custom | — |
| Credit top-up | $5 per 100 credits | Token packs | — |
Frascati's credit system is the most transparent. One credit equals approximately 1,000 tokens, and the chat panel shows real-time usage. A simple tweak might cost 2–5 credits; generating a full page from scratch costs 15–30. Bolt.new's token consumption is higher per interaction because it handles full-stack code. v0's pricing is straightforward but offers no flexibility below the $20/month Pro plan.
Head-to-Head: Common Scenarios
Scenario 1: Build a startup landing page
Winner: Frascati. A landing page with hero, features, pricing, and footer is exactly what Frascati was built for. You describe it, iterate on it, and publish it in under 10 minutes. Bolt.new can do this but it is overkill. v0 cannot assemble a full page.
Scenario 2: Build a SaaS dashboard with auth and database
Winner: Bolt.new. This requires server-side code, database connections, and authentication — all things that only Bolt handles natively. Frascati can generate the front-end but you would need to add the backend yourself.
Scenario 3: Add a complex data table to an existing Next.js project
Winner: v0. Generating a single, well-crafted component and pasting it into an existing codebase is v0's entire value proposition. It will produce cleaner, more consistent code for this use case than the other two tools.
Scenario 4: Build and publish a portfolio quickly
Winner: Frascati. The combination of conversational generation, real-time preview, templates, and one-click publishing makes this the fastest path. See our guide on building a portfolio with AI for a detailed walkthrough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Frascati and v0 together?
Absolutely. A common workflow is to use Frascati for full page generation and publishing, then use v0 to generate specialized components that you paste into Frascati's code editor. They complement each other well.
Which tool has the best AI model?
All three use state-of-the-art language models (GPT-4 class or better). The difference is not the model but how it is applied. Frascati optimizes for website generation, Bolt for full-stack code, and v0 for UI components. Same caliber of AI, different specializations.
Is Bolt.new worth it for simple websites?
Not really. Bolt's token costs are higher because it generates full-stack code, and a simple website does not benefit from backend capabilities. For landing pages, marketing sites, and portfolios, Frascati is faster and cheaper.
Do any of these tools support custom domains?
Frascati publishes to frascati.app/p/your-slug with custom domains coming soon on the Business plan. Bolt.new deploys through Netlify, which supports custom domains. v0 does not offer publishing at all.
Can non-developers use these tools?
Frascati is the most accessible for non-developers thanks to its chat-based interface and one-click publishing. Bolt.new requires some developer knowledge to navigate the IDE. v0 is developer-only since it produces code that needs to be integrated into an existing project.
The Verdict
These three tools are not competitors — they are different tools for different jobs. Frascati is the best choice for building and publishing complete websites quickly. Bolt.new is the best choice for full-stack applications that need backends and databases. v0 is the best choice for generating individual components within an existing project.
If you are not sure which you need, start with the scope of your project. If it is a website, try Frascati. If it is an app with a backend, try Bolt. If it is a component, try v0. All three have free tiers, so there is no risk in trying each one.