Software development changed fast in the past year - 90% of engineering teams now use at least one AI coding tool, up from ~60% in 2024. New tools appear weekly, so choosing the right one for your next side project can feel overwhelming.
Based on current usage data and my own testing, modern AI tools fall into three groups:
1. General purpose AI coding assistants
2. Stack focused AI tools (backend, frontend, etc.)
3. Vibe coding platforms for non-technical users
Below are the four tools I will rely on this summer - and why they might deserve a spot in your stack.
1. Line0 - the AI pair programmer for backend devs
If you’ve ever built a standalone backend API, you know the pain: repetitive business logic code and endless boilerplate. Line0 solves this by generating production-ready Express.js services from a few prompts.
You can import an existing GitHub repo or start fresh, then keep both IDE and Line0 in sync via two-way GitHub integration. Unlike generic AI copilots, Line0 is fine-tuned for backend work, follows common Node best practices, and lets you ask natural-language questions about your own codebase.
Pricing: Free tier; paid plans start at $20 / month.
Why Line0 stands out:
- Node/Express optimized - ship a working API in seconds
- Two way GitHub sync keeps AI and manual commits aligned
- Chat with the codebase to debug or trace features
- Import existing projects without losing local workflow
Tool link: Line0
2. Cursor - the AI code editor that knows your codebase
Cursor is a fork of VS Code that adds inline AI suggestions, tab-to-code completions and whole file rewrites via it's AI chat features. It now ranks #4 among specialized AI coding tools in 2025 surveys, trailing only Copilot, Gemini Code Assist and Amazon Q.
Setup is friction-free: import your VS Code settings and keep existing extensions. Cursor’s semantic search gives instant answers across any language and framework.
Limitations: It won’t architect an entire project from scratch, and a few users have reported losing their whole projects. Always remember to use version control.
Pricing: Generous free tier; paid plans start at $20 / month.
Why Cursor stands out:
- Code aware search across the whole repo
- Inline Edit (⌘/Ctrl + K) rewrites any block via prompt
- Tab-to-Code saves keystrokes for routine patterns
Tool link: Cursor
3. Lovable - the vibe-coding platform for non-technical users
Lovable targets the 99% of people who don’t write code. Describe your idea, and it generates a fullstack web app UI, backend and deploy. The platform has exploded; one founder reported hitting $300K ARR in a few months.
Lovable supports two way GitHub sync, though you can’t yet import an existing repo. Designers can drop in Figma mockups and let Lovable convert them to code. With Lovable only paid users can edit the generated code directly.
Pricing: Free tier; paid plans start at $25 / month.
Tool link: Lovable
4. v0 - the AI pair programmer for frontend devs
Need something between Line0’s depth and Lovable’s no-code speed? Try v0 by Vercel. The tool generates production-ready Next.js UIs and API routes from natural-language prompts.
Projects deploy instantly to Vercel’s global edge, so performance and SSL are handled out-of-the-box. Recent updates added two-way GitHub sync plus .zip and Figma imports.
Pricing: Usage-based - $5 free credits, $20 paid bundle, with on-demand top ups.
Tool link: v0
FAQs
Q - Are AI coding tools safe for production code?
A: Yes - 62 % of engineers report at least a 25 % productivity boost with no quality loss when proper reviews and tests are in place.
Q - Which tool is best for a pure backend API?
A: Line0 is optimized for Node/Express APIs and offers two-way GitHub sync for clean review flows.
Q - What is “vibe coding”?
A: A workflow where non-devs describe features in plain language and an AI generates full-stack code. The Wall Street Journal lists vibe coding as a top enterprise trend for 2025.
Q - How fast can I build a prototype?
A: Many users go from idea to live app in under 30 minutes with tools like Lovable and Line0.
Key takeaways & next steps
Pick by workflow - IDE power users gravitate to Cursor, non-technical founders grab Lovable, backend devs love Line0.
Start small this summer: spin up a new API on Line0 or refactor a legacy module in Cursor - the learning curve has never been gentler.
Want my preferred tech stack this year? Check out my Ultimate Tech-Stack Guide for 2025 Projects.
Always review generated code. Any AI tool can introduce security flaws - or, in rare cases, wipe files - if you accept changes blindly. Keep version control on and always run automated tests.
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