Base44 vs. Lovable: Which Should Beginners Choose? A Practical Engineer Examines the Differences Based on Their Experience | Introduction to Vibe Coding

With the proliferation of no-code tools, many people are probably wondering, " Where should I start? " Especially with attractive options like Base44 and Lovable, it can be hard to decide what to choose.

In this article, I will thoroughly compare and explain Base44 and Lovable, which is easier for beginners to use, from the perspective of a current engineer, for people with no coding experience . Based on my own experience using them, I will summarize my experience on ease of learning, common stumbling points, and when it is best to take the next step.

This article is the concept of vibe coding uses the power of AI to create apps without having to worry about the source code . It's about getting your hands dirty and experimenting without getting too caught up in the details of the code. The best part of today's no-code development is that even non-engineers can quickly turn their ideas into reality.

Conclusion: If you're unsure, choose Base44. Lovable is the perfect choice for your next step!

If you're unsure about which no-code tool to use, the best place to start is with Base44. The reason is simple: the learning curve is very low and you can quickly create something that works .

you can publish a web app in less than 30 minutes by simply selecting a template and making minor adjustments to the items .
There's no need to connect to external services, and you can use databases, backend functions, and authentication, so there's no need for tedious work; you can create a basic app just by operating the UI. The ability to create a full-fledged web app using only Base44 is a major attraction, as it allows you to quickly achieve success.

is a tool
for intermediate users that really shines when combined with Supabase In other words, Lovable is not complete on its own; you also need to create, configure, and monitor an account for Supabase . The fee structures are also separate, so from the perspective of billing and management, it is necessary to "monitor two services."

Additionally, Lovable was originally designed with engineers in mind, and some of the operations and restrictions can be difficult for non-engineers to intuitively understand .

What is Base44? Why it's perfect for beginners

There are many tools available for creating apps without coding, but Base44 stands out for being extremely fast .
done within a single service, without the need for complicated configuration or integration with external services

✅ No external services required! Easily develop a proper web app!

Base44 has the basic functions required for apps, even if you don't assume integration with external services

• Database
• Backend functions (logic processing)
• Authentication (login/access control)

of this done within Base44 .
The settings can be configured intuitively through the UI, so there is no need to set up external configurations like Supabase or Firebase.

✅ You can easily and safely connect with external services!

Base44's "Integrations" feature intuitively link with a variety of external services .
Processes that would normally require backend implementation, such as sending emails, syncing with CRM, and utilizing AI models, simply by issuing commands via chat .

As mentioned at the beginning, storing secret information such as API keys on the front end poses serious risks, but by making good use of Integrations, this risk can be eliminated.

Examples of what you can do

• Automatically send emails when users register (Resend)
• Form submission notifications to Slack
• AI generation and summarization using OpenAI, Claude, and Gemini
• Connect to Notion or Airtable to synchronize and display data
• Send SMS with Twilio and display GIFs with Giphy

There seem to be many other things that can be connected externally besides those shown in the image.

Base44 automatically builds the API processing in the background, so you don't need to write any code .
Many services an API key (authentication information) , but Base44 safely manages this information as secret.

✅ The credit system is simple and easy to understand!

For example, with services like Lovable that integrate with Supabase, you need to understand
the limitations and specifications of Supabase However, Supabase can be a bit difficult for non-engineers, and the settings and capacity limits can be difficult to understand.

In this respect, the Base44 credit system is very simple .
You only need to integration credit each time you use an integration function, such as DB operations, LLM execution, or file uploads

A major attraction is that it is intuitive and easy to use , as there are no complicated restrictions such as "you can use up to ○ GB" or "you can make requests up to ○ times per month

✅ The source code is simple and easy to read!

With Base44, when you view the source code in a browser, package.json are not displayed.
This easy for non-engineers to understand the entire code and make small modifications .

Other tools have complicated file structures, making it difficult to know what to do, but Base44 has a simple structure, so the learning curve is low .
With a little study, you may even be able to customize it yourself.

❗The integration credit limit is surprisingly strict

BBase44 uses "Integration Credits" for database operations, running AI models, file uploads, etc.

• Builder Plan ($50/month) : 10,000 credits per month
• Pro Plan ($100/month) : 20,000 credits per month
• Elite Plan ($200/month) : 50,000 credits per month

At first glance, it may seem like enough, but may run out surprisingly quickly

a setup like Lovable which uses Supabase as its backend , has the following specifications (for paid plans):

• Data transfer: 250GB monthly transfer limit
• Backend functions: Available up to 2.5 million times per month (within data transfer limits)
• Database: Unlimited access (within data transfer limits)

This figure of 2.5 million times is about 250 times the 10,000 credits of Base44 .
Although a direct comparison is not possible, seems a little strict

As the number of users increases, it will likely be necessary to devise a design that does not consume integration credits as much as possible

What you can do with 250GB of data transfer (approximate)

Processing content	Estimated transfer volume per transfer	Estimated monthly access count (250GB)
Lightweight API responses (JSON only, 10KB)	Approximately 10KB	Approximately 25 million times
Text-based web page (100KB)	Approximately 100KB	Approximately 2.5 million times
Small page with image (500KB)	Approximately 500KB	Approximately 500,000 times
A page with a medium to large image (1MB)	Approximately 1MB	Approximately 250,000 times
Video streaming (1 minute at 720p = approximately 5MB)	Approximately 5MB	Approximately 50,000 minutes (approximately 833 hours) of viewing time

✅ There are many other benefits!

What we've introduced here is only a small part of the appeal of Base44.
There are many other useful features and tricks, so if you're interested, be sure to check out the article below.

The detailed article honestly introduces not only the benefits but also the points to be aware
of and the disadvantages. If you are unsure whether it is right for you or have any concerns, please read it.

What is Lovable? Why it's the perfect tool for stepping up your game

Lovable a no-code/low-code tool designed to be used in conjunction with Supabase .
Unlike Base44, which is self-contained, Lovable relies on Supabase .

This "split" design is both Lovable's strength and weakness.

❗Registering with Supabase is almost essential. The free plan has limitations.

Lovable is powered by Supabase, so you basically need to register a Supabase account .
, including the database, authentication, and backend functions, all work in conjunction with Supabase .

However, has limitations of
two projects and 500MB of storage honestly doesn't suit the vibe-coding approach of "wanting to casually create and try out lots of apps."

This means that in many cases, is
almost mandatory please be aware that if Supabase changes its pricing structure or restrictions in the future, this may have a direct impact on development at Lovable

To continue developing apps, you will need to keep an eye on the specifications and prices of both Lovable and Supabase , which may seem like a bit of a drawback.

❗Supabase's limitations are difficult for non-engineers to understand

Since Lovable runs on the basis of Supabase, many of the app's behaviors and limitations depend on the specifications of Supabase .

for example:

• Monthly active users: Up to 100,000 (pay-as-you-go charges apply after that)
• Storage: Up to 8GB (exceeding 1GB per GB)
• File size, transfer volume, log retention period, etc.

In this way, the specifications related to development and operation are determined in detail by a "numbers x billing system," and
it is very difficult for non-engineers to see how much each will cost based on how much they use .

especially,

• Even if you say "100,000 MAU," it's hard to imagine how long it will take to reach that number.
• Even if you say "8GB storage," I don't know how you can exceed that.
• You may be surprised when the pay-as-you-go system suddenly kicks in.

There are also hidden cost risks such as:

Just looking at the "credit balance" is not enough to feel at ease; you may find
yourself wondering "Huh? Why isn't this working?" or "Why is money being generated?" during development.

Although Lovable itself is easy to use, it is important to keep in mind that unless you have a basic understanding of the underlying Supabase specifications, you may be caught off guard

✅ Connecting to Supabase is easier than you think!

However, connecting to Supabase itself is not difficult.

You do need to register a Supabase account, but after that, all you have to do is follow the on-screen instructions and you'll be set up.
To be honest, it was surprisingly easy, and I'm glad I'd avoided it before because I thought it would be a bit of a hassle.

Thanks to Lovable handling all the behind-the-scenes settings, I felt that the biggest appeal was that I didn't have to worry about just using Supabase

Not only the database, but also backend functions and authentication functions can be created automatically by chatting to the AI from Lovable, so you can develop without even being aware that Supabase is running behind the scenes!

✅ It may be easy to migrate. It's a React x Supabase configuration, so you can reuse it!

The generated app has a frontend built with React and a backend built with Supabase .

This for flexibility when you want to transfer the app you created to another service , and also makes it easier to accommodate requests such as those who want to host it themselves.

Additionally, because Supabase is a PostgreSQL-based database service, it is compatible with common technology stacks and can be easily handed over to new engineers later on.

✅ That's why it's perfect for stepping up

Lovable is perfect for when you're getting used to AI-driven development and are starting to understand the code a little at a time, or want to adjust the configuration and design yourself.

• I want to adjust the configuration on the Supabase side
• Want more freedom in data design and integration?
• I want to have a configuration that can withstand production operation in the future.

Once you start to think like this, Lovable will be a reliable tool.

Of course, this is not the only appeal of Lovable.
There are many other convenient features and ideas, so if you are interested, please check out the article below.

A comparison guide for those unsure about the differences between Base44 and Lovable!

For those undecided between Base44 and Lovable, we've compiled a table that clearly explains the differences.
By comparing their features, ease of use, and suitable users, you can find the tool that's right for you.

Credit and plan comparison: A must-check if you are considering external collaboration or ongoing development

When considering full-scale operation and integration with external services, monthly fees and credit handling are important considerations.
Here, we compare the costs and limitations of the plans you will likely actually use.

Prerequisite plan:

• Base44 : Builder Plan ($50/month)
• Lovable : Pro plan ($25/month) + Supabase Pro plan ($25/month)

item	Base44 ($50/month)	Lovable + Supabase (total $50/month)
Development Use Restrictions	If you have the Builder plan or above, there is no problem with normal development.	No problems with normal development on Pro plan or above
External collaboration restrictions	There is a limit to integration credits. Be careful when using external APIs frequently.	If you have already paid for Supabase, there are few restrictions.
Ease of credit management	Complete with a single service. Credit balance is easy to see and understand.	Requires management of both Lovable and Supabase. It can be a bit cumbersome if you're not used to it.
Total cost	$50/month (Base44 only)	$50/month (Lovable + Supabase)

Comparing the differences in features and specifications: A quick reference guide to the basic features of Base44 and Lovable

You may be wondering what each tool can do and how much it can do, and the differences in functionality.
Here we have compiled a list comparing the main features, including database, authentication, backend, and templates.

Functional items	Base44	Lovable
DB (database)	Uses Base44 DB (completed internally)	Uses Supabase DB
Backend Functions	Uses Base44 backend functions (completed internally)	Using Supabase Edge Functions
Authentication function	Uses Base44 authentication function (completed internally)	Uses Supabase Auth
Templates	Abundant and ready to use	Abundant and ready to use
GitHub/Source Export	Available for Builder plan and above	Available regardless of plan
Original domain	Can be set with Builder plan or above	Available for Pro plan and above
External service integration	Integration function makes it easy and safe	Using Supabase Edge Functions

Comparison from a user perspective: Which is better, Base44 or Lovable?

This comparison considers learning costs, ease of initial setup, ease of operation and management, etc., asking, "Which one would you choose?" This
will help you clarify which one you should actually start with and who it is suitable for.

item	Base44	Lovable
completeness	Complete on its own. Can be used without external services	Integration with Supabase is almost essential
Ease of initial construction	Complete with Base44 registration	Requires settings including Supabase. Somewhat complicated
Learning costs	Very low.	Low (minimal knowledge of Supabase)
Easy to understand management and billing	It's a clear credit system. Just look at Base44.	Dual management of Lovable and Supabase required
Expected users	For non-engineers/those who want to get started	For those who are familiar with the system and want to tweak the configuration
Migration and scalability	Closed within Base44, migration requires ingenuity	Separated from Supabase, making migration and expansion easy

Conclusion: It is recommended to get familiar with Base44 first!

If you're new to AI development, best to start with Base44 . The reason is simple: the learning curve is extremely low and the configuration is intuitive. Even non-engineers can run full-fledged web apps just by manipulating the UI.

Lovable is the perfect choice for those who want to combine it with Supabase to create a more flexible configuration, or for those who are conscious of future operations and migrations. However, since the amount of things you need to understand and the scope of things you need to manage also expands, it is best suited to stepping up after you have become somewhat familiar with it.

Once you get used to it, you can consider Lovable!

On the other hand, combining Lovable with Supabase increases the degree of freedom, allowing you to develop apps that take into account configuration, security, and operational aspects. However, this also means that the amount of things you need to understand and the scope of things you need to manage also expands, so it is best suited to stepping up after you have become somewhat familiar with the platform .

Summary: Let's start by creating an app using vibe coding!

If you're unsure, try making something that works using Base44. Don't overthink it, just go with your instincts and momentum.
That vibe coding .

There is no right answer when it comes to no-code tools, but we highly recommend "Base44" as a starting point. The learning cost is low and you can create something that works immediately, so even non-engineers can take the first step without hesitation.

For detailed information on each feature, how to use them, and any drawbacks, please see the detailed article below.