Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Lovable · 🛠️ dev tools
Lovable vs Onlook
Open source visual builder that edits a real React codebase with AI, Figma-style. Here is how Onlook ($0/mo open source) stacks up against Lovable ($25/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Lovable vs Onlook Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-10
| Dimension | Lovable (Paid) | Onlook (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $25 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $300 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $300) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $1,500 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $1,500) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $3,000 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $3,000) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source Apache-2.0 |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Local or hosted (your machine or their cloud) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | webself-hosteddocker to self-host |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 26k (active jul 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from Lovable to Onlook
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
It is more of a visual React or Next.js editor and less of an integrated prompt-to-backend, hosted-app workflow than Lovable.
How to deploy Onlook
Hosted signup, or self-host with Bun or Docker plus Supabase configuration
What it takes to run
Hosted access may be gated; self-hosting needs Bun or Docker, Supabase and several environment variables
Where your data lives
Project code lives in the workspace or sandbox; application metadata and assets use the configured Supabase instance
Why fork Onlook instead of vibe-coding a Lovable clone?
The wrapper is easy: a CLI that sends your brief to a model, writes the files, and starts the dev server is one sitting of work. The model doing the writing is the actual product, and you cannot rebuild that. Everything Lovable puts around it, the hosted preview, the deploy, the database wired up for you, and a non-developer being able to use any of it, goes with the subscription.
Lovable vs Onlook FAQ
Is Onlook a good free alternative to Lovable?+
Yes. Onlook is a verified open-source (Apache-2.0) replacement for Lovable. Open source visual builder that edits a real React codebase with AI, Figma-style.
What is the catch when switching from Lovable to Onlook?+
It is more of a visual React or Next.js editor and less of an integrated prompt-to-backend, hosted-app workflow than Lovable.
How much do you save switching from Lovable to Onlook?+
Lovable costs $25/mo ($300/yr) per seat, whereas Onlook is $0/mo. Switching saves $300/yr for a solo user, $1,500/yr for a 5-person team, and $3,000/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host Onlook instead of Lovable?+
Install: Hosted signup, or self-host with Bun or Docker plus Supabase configuration. Setup: Hosted access may be gated; self-hosting needs Bun or Docker, Supabase and several environment variables
