TL;DR
Both Bolt.new and Lovable are AI app generators with similar security profiles. Both can generate insecure code by default (missing RLS, exposed keys, no auth). Lovable integrates more directly with Supabase, which may mean better RLS defaults. Neither should be deployed to production without security review. Use both for prototyping, not production, without modifications.
Platform Comparison
| Feature | Bolt.new | Lovable |
|---|---|---|
| Powered By | StackBlitz | GPT Engineer |
| Default Backend | Various (Supabase common) | Supabase (default) |
| Code Access | Full source in browser | GitHub sync |
| Deployment | Netlify, Vercel | Built-in, Vercel |
| Framework | React, Next.js | React, Next.js |
Security Defaults
Both platforms generate functional apps that often lack security hardening:
| Security Feature | Bolt.new | Lovable |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication | Not included by default | Often included (Supabase) |
| Supabase RLS | Usually disabled | May be configured |
| API Key Handling | Often in frontend | Often in frontend |
| Input Validation | Minimal | Minimal |
| Environment Variables | May need reconfiguration | Better defaults |
Common Issue: Both platforms may generate apps with Supabase anon keys in frontend code without enabling RLS. This means anyone can read and write all data in your database.
Code Generation Patterns
Bolt.new Patterns
- Generates self-contained React apps
- Uses various backend services based on prompts
- May hardcode configuration values
- Environment variables not always used
- Security depends heavily on your prompts
Lovable Patterns
- Tighter Supabase integration
- GitHub sync encourages version control
- May include auth components by default
- Still requires manual RLS configuration
- Better environment variable handling
Backend Security
Both platforms commonly use Supabase as a backend:
Critical Step: After generating an app with either platform, immediately check your Supabase dashboard and enable RLS on all tables. Neither platform reliably configures this for you.
Steps to Secure Generated Apps
- Export or sync code to local environment
- Move API keys to environment variables
- Enable RLS on all Supabase tables
- Write appropriate RLS policies
- Add authentication if not present
- Review all database queries for security
- Test access control by attempting unauthorized actions
Deployment Security
| Deployment Aspect | Bolt.new | Lovable |
|---|---|---|
| Preview URLs | Public by default | Public by default |
| Production Deploy | Manual setup | Built-in option |
| Env Var Management | Platform-dependent | Better integrated |
| Security Headers | Not configured | Not configured |
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Bolt.new If: You want flexibility in backend choices, prefer StackBlitz's browser-based development environment, or need quick prototypes with various tech stacks.
Choose Lovable If: You're committed to Supabase, want GitHub integration for version control, or prefer slightly better defaults for auth and environment variables.
Neither is Production-Ready: Both platforms are excellent for prototyping but require significant security hardening before production use. Don't deploy generated apps with real user data without thorough security review.
Which generates more secure code?
Neither platform generates production-secure code by default. Lovable's tighter Supabase integration may mean slightly better auth patterns, but both require manual security configuration. The security quality depends more on your prompts and post-generation review.
Can I prompt for security features?
Yes, both platforms respond to security-focused prompts like "Add Supabase authentication" or "Enable Row Level Security." However, you should verify the generated security code is correct rather than trusting it blindly.
Which is better for learning security?
Neither is ideal for learning security because you don't see the security implementation process. For learning, use Cursor or similar tools where you write security code with AI assistance and understand what you're building.