The top open-source Bolt.new alternative is bolt.diy, which its GitHub page calls "the official open source version of Bolt.new." It is MIT-licensed and works with 19+ AI providers. But open source is not the same as free or easy, so for most non-developers our recommendation is Leanfinit, which is free during the beta.
People usually look for a bolt new alternative open source for two reasons: to stop paying Bolt's token bills, and to own their code. Below we compare the open-source options, explain Bolt.new vs bolt.diy, flag a licensing catch, and show a simpler way to get both goals.
Bolt.new vs bolt.diy: what is the difference?
Bolt.new is StackBlitz's hosted product. bolt.diy lives under the StackBlitz Labs organization on GitHub, was started by Cole Medin, and is now a community project (bolt.diy on GitHub).
Its main draw is model choice. Per its README, you pick the AI model for each prompt from 19+ providers, including OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, OpenRouter and local models via Ollama or LM Studio (README).
| Bolt.new | bolt.diy | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Hosted service in the browser | Open-source app you run yourself |
| License | Proprietary service | MIT |
| Cost | Free: 1M tokens/mo; Pro from $25/mo | Free software; you pay your AI provider |
| Setup | None | Node.js and pnpm, Docker, or a desktop app |
| Deployment | bolt.host URLs, custom domains on Pro | Netlify, Vercel or GitHub Pages |
| Your code | GitHub commits and repo import | ZIP download and Git integration |
Bolt.new prices are as of October 2026 (Bolt.new pricing); check the pricing page for current plans. bolt.diy details come from its docs.
The trade is control versus effort. Bolt.new handles hosting but bills you in tokens. bolt.diy gives you model choice, but you install it, update it and pay for AI usage yourself.
Bolt.new scores 1.6/5 on Trustpilot across 203 reviews, with complaints about tokens draining while the AI fixes its own errors and charges after cancelling (Trustpilot). That cost pain is what sends many people to open source.
The licensing catch
The bolt.diy README says its code is MIT, but it uses StackBlitz's WebContainers API. That API "requires licensing" for production use in a commercial, for-profit setting, while prototypes do not. If you plan to build a business on this open-source Bolt.new alternative, read those terms first.
What about the Bolt.new GitHub repo?
StackBlitz also publishes the original Bolt.new codebase at github.com/stackblitz/bolt.new, with about 16.5K stars as of October 2026 (Bolt.new on GitHub). It is aimed at developers building their own AI agent. For building an app, bolt.diy is the more practical start.
Open-source Bolt.new alternatives compared
Leanfinit is not an open-source Bolt.new alternative, but we include it because it delivers the two things most people want from open source: no bill and code you own. The hosted market leaders are listed so you can see the trade-offs. Star counts and prices are as of October 2026; check each project page before you choose.
| Tool | Best for | Builds | Free tier | Paid from | Code export | License |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leanfinit | Free apps with no setup | Working apps, published to the web in one click | Completely free during the beta | No paid plans during the beta | Yes | Proprietary |
| bolt.diy | Bolt-style building with any model | Full-stack web apps, Expo mobile | Free software, your own AI keys | No paid plan | ZIP and Git | MIT |
| Dyad | Local desktop builder | Full-stack web apps | Free local app, your own AI keys | $20/mo (optional Pro) | Code is local | Apache 2.0 (except src/pro) |
| Open Lovable | Recreating websites as React apps | React apps | Free software, needs API keys | No paid plan | You run the code | MIT |
| Onlook | Visual editing for designers | Next.js + Tailwind apps | Free software | Hosted version in early access | You run the code | Apache 2.0 |
| Cline | Coding agent in your editor | Any codebase | Free extension, your own AI keys | Not stated | Your repo | Apache 2.0 |
| Bolt.new | Hosted prototyping | Web, Expo mobile | 1M tokens/mo | $25/mo | GitHub sync | Proprietary |
| Lovable | Polished web apps | Web apps only | 5 credits/day, max 30/mo | $25/mo | Git sync; ZIP on paid | Proprietary |
| Replit | Full-stack and mobile | Web, Expo mobile | Daily Agent credits | $20/mo | Not verified | Proprietary |
| v0 | Next.js on Vercel | Next.js web apps | 7 messages/day | $30/user/mo | GitHub sync | Proprietary |
| Cursor | AI code editor | Any codebase | Hobby, limited Agent | $20/mo | Your local repo | Proprietary |
| Base44 | Apps with built-in backend | Web apps, PWAs | 25 message credits/mo | $16/mo | GitHub from $40 plan | Proprietary |
Sources: Dyad, Bolt.new, Lovable, Replit, v0, Cursor, Base44; open-source projects as linked below.
Each open-source Bolt.new alternative in detail
bolt.diy: closest open-source Bolt.new alternative
bolt.diy works much like Bolt.new and has nearly 20K GitHub stars as of October 2026. Its README lists an integrated terminal, reverting to earlier versions, a diff view of AI changes, image attachments, Supabase integration and Expo app creation.
Watch out for: you manage API keys and updates, and the WebContainers license applies to commercial production use. The README lists better results with smaller models as work in progress.
Dyad: local open-source Bolt.new alternative
Dyad calls itself a "local, open-source AI app builder" that runs on your machine (Dyad on GitHub). It runs on Mac and Windows with your own API keys and has about 21.6K GitHub stars as of October 2026.
Code outside src/pro is Apache 2.0; src/pro uses the Functional Source License. The local app is free, and Pro is $20/mo with 200 AI credits (Dyad).
Open Lovable, Onlook and Cline: more open-source Bolt.new alternatives
Why Leanfinit is the better Bolt.new alternative for most people
Open source solves cost and ownership, but it adds setup. Leanfinit gives you both goals without the setup.
Prefer to compare hosted options? See our pillar guide to Bolt.new alternatives and free Bolt.new alternatives. If token costs drove you here, read Bolt.new token usage.