Bolt and Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) both put AI to work on code, but they aren't aimed at the same person. Bolt is a browser app builder. Devin Desktop is an AI code editor. Its docs and pricing now live on Devin's sites, so older tutorials may not match.
The short version
| Bolt | Devin Desktop | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Chat-to-app builder in the browser | AI code editor from Cognition |
| Install needed | No | Yes |
| Free plan | Yes, monthly token cap plus a daily limit | Yes: unlimited Tab completions and inline edits, light agent quota |
| Starting points | Prompt, Figma, GitHub or a team template | A project on your computer |
| MCP servers | Yes, custom MCP connectors | Yes (stdio, Streamable HTTP, SSE) |
| Project instructions | Not listed | Reads AGENTS.md, imports older .windsurf/rules files |
Prices and limits move. See bolt.new and devin.ai/pricing for current details.
What they have in common
- Describe it, get code. Both turn plain-English requests into working code.
- A free tier to try. You can test either without paying.
- Code you can take elsewhere. Neither locks you into a canvas; the output is normal project code.
Key differences
Browser versus desktop. Bolt needs nothing installed. Devin Desktop is an editor, so you'll download it and open a project folder.
Building versus editing. Bolt is designed to take you from a blank page to a running app, with Plan Mode to talk an idea through first. Devin Desktop assumes you have code and want help changing it, with autocomplete, inline edits and an agent.
What the free plan gives you. Bolt's free plan is metered by tokens, which can run out quickly on bigger projects. Devin Desktop's free plan has unlimited Tab completions and inline edits, but only a light quota for agents.
Fit for non-coders. Bolt is the gentler route if you've never opened a code editor. Devin Desktop is a full editor, which is more to learn.
Naming churn. The rename is worth knowing about: expect docs on Devin's sites and some outdated guides.
Using them together
Prototype in Bolt, then move the code into Devin Desktop when you want finer control. Bolt's help site mentions GitHub support, so check how export works on your plan before building something large.
Who should pick what
- No coding background, want something live fast: Bolt.
- Starting from a Figma design: Bolt.
- Comfortable with code, want fast autocomplete and agent help: Devin Desktop.
- Already have a repository: Devin Desktop. Bolt can start from GitHub, but an editor suits ongoing work better.
Our verdict
They solve different problems. If your goal is "an app, today, from a description", start with Bolt. If your goal is "help with code I own", start with Devin Desktop. Plenty of projects will use both at different stages.