What is Bolt.diy and How Does it Compare to Bolt.new?

What is Bolt.diy?

Bolt.diy is a completely free and open-source AI-powered coding assistant that enables full-stack web development directly in your browser12. It’s the official open-source version of Bolt.new, originally started by Cole Medin and now maintained by a growing community of developers13.

Key Features of Bolt.diy:

• Multiple LLM Support: Choose from OpenAI, Anthropic, Ollama, OpenRouter, Gemini, LMStudio, Mistral, xAI, HuggingFace, DeepSeek, or Groq models12
• Full-Stack Development: Build NodeJS-based applications directly in your browser1
• Local Installation: Runs on your computer, giving you complete control1
• Image Attachments: Attach images to prompts for better contextual understanding1
• Integrated Terminal: View output of LLM-run commands1
• Version Control: Revert code to earlier versions for easier debugging1
• Project Export: Download projects as ZIP files1
• Docker Support: Easy deployment with Docker integration1

How Does Bolt.diy Differ from Bolt.new?

Pricing Model

LLM Flexibility

• Bolt.diy: Full freedom to choose from 10+ LLM providers, easily extensible14
• Bolt.new: Primarily optimized for Claude 3.5 Sonnet, limited model selection47

Setup and Installation

• Bolt.diy: Requires local installation (Node.js, Git, PNPM)89
• Bolt.new: Ready to use in browser, no installation needed4

Features and Optimization

• Bolt.diy: More LLM options but requires better prompting skills410
• Bolt.new: Highly optimized templates and prompts for faster results47

Performance Comparison

According to user experiences:

• Bolt.new generally produces better initial results with less effort47
• Bolt.diy requires more detailed prompting and may need multiple iterations107
• Bolt.new starts with robust templates while Bolt.diy builds from scratch10

Pros and Cons

Bolt.diy Pros:

• ✅ Completely free – no subscription fees14
• ✅ Maximum flexibility – choose any LLM provider14
• ✅ Full autonomy – complete control over your environment4
• ✅ No data concerns – runs locally on your machine4
• ✅ Open source – community-driven development1
• ✅ Extensive model support – 10+ LLM providers1

Bolt.diy Cons:

• ❌ Steeper learning curve – requires technical setup411
• ❌ More complex prompting required for good results410
• ❌ Performance issues – can be slower and less reliable412
• ❌ Memory usage problems – can consume significant resources12
• ❌ Less polished – still in development compared to Bolt.new13

Bolt.new Pros:

• ✅ Extremely easy to use – no setup required4
• ✅ Optimized performance – better initial results47
• ✅ Reliable builds – less troubleshooting needed4
• ✅ Professional templates – polished starting points10
• ✅ Better error handling – smoother debugging experience4

Bolt.new Cons:

• ❌ Monthly subscription – $20-$200/month5
• ❌ Limited LLM options – primarily Claude 3.5 Sonnet4
• ❌ Less flexibility – restricted customization4
• ❌ Token limits – usage restrictions5

Should You Switch from VS Code to Bolt.diy?

For Beginners:

No, don’t switch entirely. Bolt.diy is better suited as a rapid prototyping tool rather than a VS Code replacement1415. Here’s why:

• Learning: VS Code with extensions like GitHub Copilot helps you learn coding fundamentals1617
• Flexibility: VS Code supports all programming languages, not just web development18
• Professional Skills: Industry uses VS Code extensively – learning it builds valuable skills16

For Intermediate Users:

Use both tools strategically:

• Bolt.diy: For quick prototypes and MVP development1920
• VS Code: For serious development, debugging, and long-term projects1516

Best Use Cases for Bolt.diy:

1. Rapid Prototyping: Create MVPs quickly1921
2. Learning Projects: Experiment with new technologies211
3. Demo Creation: Build quick demos for presentations21
4. UI/UX Testing: Rapid iteration on design concepts4

When to Stick with VS Code:

1. Long-term projects lasting weeks or months15
2. Complex applications requiring advanced debugging22
3. Enterprise development with specific requirements23
4. Non-web development (mobile apps, desktop software, etc.)18

Should You Ditch Bolt.new?

It depends on your priorities:

Choose Bolt.diy if:

• You’re budget-conscious and want free AI coding424
• You prefer local development and data privacy4
• You want maximum LLM flexibility14
• You’re comfortable with technical setup4

Stick with Bolt.new if:

• You value convenience over cost415
• You need reliable, polished results quickly47
• You prefer optimized, professional templates10
• You don’t mind paying for premium experience5

System Requirements for Bolt.diy

Minimum Requirements:

• Node.js (LTS version)89
• Git for cloning repository89
• PNPM package manager89
• 4GB RAM minimum25
• Modern web browser8

Recommended Setup:

• 8GB+ RAM for better performance12
• SSD storage for faster file operations25
• Stable internet for API calls8
• Modern GPU if using local LLMs26

Final Recommendation

For Blog/Social Media Content:

1. Beginners: Start with Bolt.diy for learning, but keep VS Code for serious development
2. Intermediate Users: Use Bolt.diy for rapid prototyping, VS Code for production work
3. Budget-Conscious: Bolt.diy offers incredible value for free
4. Professional Use: Consider Bolt.new for critical projects requiring reliability

The Bottom Line: Bolt.diy is an excellent supplementary tool for rapid prototyping and experimentation, but it shouldn’t completely replace traditional development environments like VS Code. Think of it as a powerful addition to your toolkit rather than a complete replacement141527.