Base44 and Lovable built the app. The real choice is how you want to run it afterwards. We gave Base44 and Lovable the same booking brief on 29 August 2026.
A date picker, booking form and list with three sample bookings. The build took 1m 30s. We cut that wait from the clip.
Lovable then built a booking form and bookings list. The build after our choice took 9m 21s. We cut that wait from the clip.
Limit of this test. One session in each tool. We cut the waiting time from the clips. This doesn’t establish typical build speed.
Workflows showed a notice requiring Builder. Agents showed suggestions for the booking app. We didn’t complete an automation in this clip.
We opened Lovable’s directory of 108 connectors. The newer documentation also describes scheduled Jobs and automatic actions running in Lovable Cloud.
Limit of this test. We didn’t set up or send a follow-up in these clips. The recommendation also uses vendor documentation.
The booking page imports Base44’s platform client and uses it for booking data. A banner says editing code requires a paid plan.
The code view includes the app, Supabase connection files and database migrations. The free plan marks it read-only. Lovable documents code ownership separately.
Limit of this test. We didn’t move either app and run it elsewhere. The claims about code ownership and running it elsewhere also rely on vendor documentation.
The task-management template was free. The gallery showed screenshots and reviews. Another template displayed a $35 price and a 1.0-star rating.
AI Moodboard Canvas showed 6.7k remixes and a Use template button. The gallery listed 204 community templates, including 69 apps.
Limit of this test. These clips show the galleries and template pages. We didn’t test every template or verify the galleries’ counts.
Our reading of the evidence
Base44 Builder keeps the app’s data and email together. Workflows supports triggers, conditions and delays. Human-approval coverage remains unconfirmed.
The team can configure follow-ups beside the app’s data. Check the exact steps before choosing.
The catch: Base44’s backend stays on Base44 after code export.
Choose Lovable instead when engineers need a repository they can keep running elsewhere.
Start Base44 free →Lovable syncs the code to GitHub or GitLab.
Engineers get a codebase they can own and run elsewhere.
The catch: Scheduled follow-ups need setup and testing.
Choose Base44 instead when its documented workflow steps fit. Confirm any required approval step first.
Start Lovable free →A no-code AI platform. Describe the app and Base44 builds the screens, the data and the logins. Backend, payments, hosting and AI agents are already on the platform.
The two-way GitHub sync hands you code, and that code runs against Base44’s managed backend. Auth, data and hosting stay on Base44’s platform, and Base44’s pages show no way to run that backend anywhere else.
Fine if you plan to stay. If engineers taking the app over is the plan, Lovable’s repo is the one you can take and still run.
An AI software engineer. Chat, and Lovable builds and publishes full-stack web software. The code syncs to GitHub or GitLab, with full ownership stated on Lovable’s pages.
Lovable can coordinate delays and approvals on Pro with Lovable Cloud. Generated code connects server functions, saved state and scheduled Jobs. You need to set up and test that code. App-store packaging needs an outside wrapper.
Lovable ·
Question: Can a Lovable Pro builder offer purchases to users inside a customer-created mobile app made from their Lovable project?
Summary: On Pro, a builder can add web checkout to their Lovable web app via built-in Paddle or Stripe payments. That checkout works on mobile browsers and in PWAs. There is no native app store distribution from Lovable, and no native Apple IAP or Google Play Billing - those are unavailable through the platform.
Reviewed
Link to this sourceChoose how you want to build and change the automation. Lovable needs prompts or code for workflow steps and conditions. Lovable’s visual controls don’t edit workflow logic.
Check the trade-offs
Recordings from 29 August 2026. Later documentation is dated beside the source.
| If you need to… | Base44 | Lovable |
|---|---|---|
| Get a first app workingA home-cleaning booking app | Generated the app from our request. Recording and notes → | Asked a design question, then generated it. Recording and notes → |
| Run automatic follow-upsBeyond the booking form | A built-in Workflows screen. Builder plan required. Recording and notes → | Lovable Cloud documents backend functions and scheduled Jobs. Configure and test the generated steps. Vendor source · 11 September 2026 ↗ |
| Move the app laterCode access is only part of it | Code sync exists. The backend still depends on Base44. Recording and notes → | Code ownership and repository sync are documented. Recording and notes → |
| Edit code in the builderBeyond reading it | Code visible. Editing requires a paid plan. Recording and notes → | Code visible. The free plan marks it read-only. Recording and notes → |
| Understand ongoing costBefore you commit | Check messages, integration use and the plan your workflows need. Vendor source ↗ | Check build credits, running costs and services you connect. Vendor source ↗ |
Make the choice yours
| Commercial signal | base44.com | lovable.dev |
|---|---|---|
|
Same for Base44 and Lovable
Free tier✓
Self-serve signup✓
Billing cyclesMonthly & annual
Public API✓
| ||
| Entry paid price | $16/mo (Starter, billed annually) | $25/mo (Pro) |
| The monthly meter at entry | 100 messages + 2,000 integration actions /mo | 100 credits /mo. Published pages are free to host; backend work and in-app AI use Run credits. |
| Full price list | Free $0 → Starter $16 → Builder $40 → Pro $80 → Elite $160 | Free $0 → Pro $25 → Business $50 → Enterprise (sales) |
| Team pricing | By tier — no seat model published | By credits — unlimited members on every plan |
| Security posture (stated) | SOC 2 Type II + ISO 27001 + GDPR | SOC 2 + ISO 27001 + GDPR |
| Stated data residency | Selectable (enterprise) | EU, US or Asia Pacific — no cross-region movement by default |
| Named integrations found | Gmail, Slack, Salesforce, Stripe, Zapier + 33 more | GitHub, GitLab, Supabase, Okta + 15 more |
| Official mobile app | Android | iOS & Android |
| Company behind the product | Wix.com Ltd. | Lovable |
Free tiers, self-serve signup, monthly and annual billing, a public API — the same on Base44 and Lovable. Base44 and Lovable stop matching at the meter. Base44’s $16 buys 100 AI messages a month. Lovable’s $25 plan lists 100 credits. Lovable hosts published pages for free; backend activity and in-app AI use Run credits.
Data use. Checked 4 September 2026. Lovable documents a free training opt-out in account settings. Base44’s listed opt-out is enterprise-only. Lovable’s policy applies to Free and Pro work from 9 September 2026. If you opt out later, your work is excluded from that day. Lovable’s instructions ↗ · Base44’s enterprise listing ↗
| Question | Base44 | Lovable |
|---|---|---|
| What makes the price go up | You building. Message credits meter the AI, integration credits meter the connectors, and the tiers sell bigger allowances. | You building and running. Published pages are free to host. Backend activity and in-app AI use Run credits. |
| What the free tier holds back | The meter and the domain. 25 messages a month, five apps, and custom domains are paid. | The code and the domain. Source editing and custom domains are both paid, and the credits are limited. |
| What you can take with you | The code, not the backend. Two-way GitHub sync is real. Auth, data and hosting stay on Base44. | The code, in full. GitHub or GitLab sync, with full ownership stated on Lovable’s pages. |
Base44 and Lovable start free. After that Base44 and Lovable meter usage monthly. Pick your stage and pace and we match them to the plan each vendor’s own list would put you on — the prices are theirs, the matching is ours.
Base44 is the cheaper or equal option until growing fast. There Lovable becomes the cheaper one, so the stage you’re at decides it.
Base44 and Lovable are $0 at the stage you selected. You can try the idea before you pay.
Plan prices listed by Base44 and Lovable in August 2026. Base44’s are the billed-annually rates, and month-to-month runs higher. Both meters reset monthly, with top-ups or a higher tier for the heavy months. The live pages have the current numbers: base44.com/pricing · lovable.dev/pricing.
From our August 29, 2026 scan. A ✗ means the product won’t do it for you, not that it can’t be done. A — is something we couldn’t confirm either way, not a thing the vendor lacks.
| Capability | Base44 | Lovable |
|---|---|---|
| Build it by describing it | ||
| Build apps & websites from plain language | In Base44, describe the app or website you want in plain language for the builder to create it. Sources: [1] Checked | In Lovable, describe the app or website you want in plain language for the builder to create it. Sources: [1] Checked |
| Point at an element and change it in plain words (Lovable calls this feature Select & Edit) | In Base44, use the Theme panel for app-wide styling, Edit mode for individual elements, or select an element and ask the AI chat for changes. Dynamically generated text must be changed through AI chat. Dynamically generated text must be changed through AI chat. Requirement: Click the thing that’s wrong and say what you want instead. Checked | In Lovable, select the target element from the preview toolbar and describe the desired update in project chat. Changes other than available inline text edits still use the build process and credits. Changes other than available inline text edits still use the build process and credits. Requirement: Click the thing that’s wrong and say what you want instead. Sources: [4] Checked |
| Images as input | In Base44, import a Figma frame or attach a screenshot or design image to the prompt as a visual starting point. An imported design is a starting point. The generated app needs review. An imported design is a starting point; the generated app needs review. Requirement: Give the builder a screenshot or sketch to use as the starting point. Checked | |
| A library of prompts & use-cases to start from | In Base44, browse the official prompt library and copy a prompt for the feature or app being built. Examples still need the app's actual requirements and testing. Examples still need the app's actual requirements and testing. Sources: [9] Checked | In Lovable, use the official prompt library for starting examples covering authentication, uploads, dashboards, payments and notifications. Sources: [10] Checked |
| Plan the product with AI before you buildUnconfirmed | In Base44, use the app editor's AI chat. Discuss mode explores requirements before changes are made. Build requests change the app. Chat and build work consume message credits. Chat and build work consume message credits. Requirement: Brainstorm and shape the feature list before anything is generated. Sources: [11] Checked | UnconfirmedLovable: Brainstorm and shape the feature list before anything is generated. Source details haven’t been published for this answer. Checked |
| Community templates to start from | In Base44, choose a public app or website template, clone it into the workspace and customize the copy. A template using backend functions requires Builder or higher. A template using backend functions requires Builder or higher. Requirement: Open a working app somebody else built and make it yours. Checked | In Lovable, start from an app someone else built and customise it for your own project. Sources: [13] Checked |
| The backend it gives you | ||
| A database set up for you | Describe the app's data; Base44 creates entities. Manage records from Data in the dashboard or through the SDK. The database is managed by Base44. Exported frontend code doesn't replace this service. The database is managed by Base44; exported frontend code does not replace this service. Requirement: Your app’s data goes into a database the builder sets up. Checked | Enable Cloud and describe the required data; Lovable creates a managed Postgres schema that can be inspected and edited in the Database view. Database usage and Cloud credits apply. Review security policies. Database usage and Cloud credits apply; review security policies. Requirement: Your app’s data goes into a database the builder sets up. Checked |
| Sign-up, login & user accounts | Choose the app's login and registration methods in its settings; Base44 supplies the sign-up, sign-in and password-reset flows. Choose the access and registration rules required by the app. Choose the access and registration rules required by the app. Sources: [17] Checked | Enable Cloud authentication and ask Lovable for the login and signup flow required by the app. Choose and configure the sign-in providers and security policies appropriate to the app. Choose and configure the sign-in providers and security policies appropriate to the app. Sources: [18] Checked |
| File storage & content delivery | In Lovable, create Cloud storage buckets and upload flows, then configure public or private access to stored files. Private-file URLs are temporary signed links; Cloud storage usage is metered. Private-file URLs are temporary signed links; Cloud storage usage is metered. Sources: [21] Checked | |
| Server-side code & backend functions | ||
| Live updates for connected usersUnconfirmed | In Base44, subscribe through the SDK's entities.subscribe() to receive record creation, update and deletion events in connected clients. The app must implement a subscription. Ordinary data reads alone don't provide live updates. The app must implement a subscription; ordinary data reads alone do not provide live updates. Requirement: Changes show up for everyone without a refresh. Sources: [15] Checked | |
| Checkout & subscriptions (Base44’s processing runs through Stripe) | In Base44, connect Stripe from the AI chat, define products and subscriptions, test checkout and activate live payments after completing the provider setup. Stripe account eligibility, activation and payment-processing charges apply. Stripe account eligibility, activation and payment-processing charges apply. Requirement: Charge one-time or recurring, inside the app you built. Checked | In Lovable, add Paddle or Stripe for one-time payments and subscriptions. Built-in payments need Pro or higher. Connecting your own Stripe is a separate option. Provider eligibility, setup and fees apply. Built-in payments require Pro or higher; external Stripe is available as a separate path; payment-provider eligibility and fees apply. Requirement: Charge one-time or recurring, inside the app you built. Sources: [27] Checked |
| The automation inside | ||
| A workflow engine that runs multi-step automations (Base44’s Workflows screen required Builder in our August 29 recording. On Pro with Lovable Cloud, generated backend code can coordinate delays and approvals. It uses server functions, stored state and scheduled Jobs. There’s no built-in wait or approval control. Full workflow-engine coverage remains unconfirmed.)Unconfirmed | Reported Yes · UnconfirmedBase44 Workflows runs triggers, conditions, delays and scheduled steps on Builder+. A workflow step that waits for human approval remains unconfirmed. Requirement: Triggers, approvals, delays and scheduled jobs that run on their own. Sources: [28] Checked | UnconfirmedOfficial sources conflict. Triggers, approvals and scheduled jobs are described, but the full workflow including delays remains unconfirmed. Limitations: - Requires development time (not plug-and-play) - External automation platforms needed for workflow triggers Step 4: Automate workflows (Edge Functions and Jobs) Set up automatic actions that save you time. Prompt one automation at a time so each one is set up and tested properly: Jobs | Review scheduled background tasks and their run history Edge functions | Run serverless backend code and monitor how it performs Step 4: Automate workflows (Edge Functions and Jobs) When a new lead is added to the Clients table, send me an email notification. Analyze client meeting notes with Lovable AI and save a sentiment score in the Clients table. Schedule a daily job at 7 AM that emails me a summary of today's follow-ups. When a payment is marked 'paid' in Stripe, automatically update the related invoice's status to 'Paid'. Approval workflows Standardize approvals with required inputs, defined reviewers, and audit-ready status tracking—so decisions don't stall in threads. Base44’s Workflows screen required Builder in our August 29 recording. On Pro with Lovable Cloud, generated backend code can coordinate delays and approvals. It uses server functions, stored state and scheduled Jobs. There’s no built-in wait or approval control. Full workflow-engine coverage remains unconfirmed. Read Lovable’s statementLovable · Question: On Lovable Pro with Lovable Cloud, can a multi-step automation wait for a builder-configured period between its steps and then automatically continue? 1. Delayed steps between automation steps (Pro + Lovable Cloud, no external service) There is no native "pause and wait" primitive built into Lovable Cloud. However, this is achievable with AI-generated backend code using two primitives that are already available on Pro + Lovable Cloud: - Edge Function executes step 1 and writes a target timestamp to a database table (e.g., "resume at time X"). - Scheduled Job (Cloud → Jobs, cron-based) polls that table on a recurring basis and fires step 2 when the target time is reached. This requires custom coordination between these two primitives; there is no single setting to configure it. You describe the desired behavior to Lovable in the project chat, and it generates both the edge function and the scheduled job. No visual editor is needed. Plan required: Pro (with Lovable Cloud). No additional permissions beyond builder access. Alternatively, Lovable has an Inngest app connector (https://docs.lovable.dev/integrations/inngest) that is purpose-built for multi-step workflows with configurable delays (e.g., "send step 1 immediately, send step 2 three days later"). This is cleaner for delay-heavy workflows but requires a separate Inngest account, managed through the Inngest dashboard outside Lovable, so it would add an external service to your setup. Publicly documented limits for Jobs and Edge Functions on Cloud are not published. Reviewed Link to this sourceRead Lovable’s statementLovable · Question: In that same setup, can a multi-step automation wait for a designated app user to approve it and then automatically continue with its following steps? 2. Approval gate in automation (Pro + Lovable Cloud, no external service) There is no native built-in approval gate. This is achievable entirely within Lovable Cloud using AI-generated backend code, with no external service required: - An Edge Function completes step 1 and writes a "pending approval" record to a database table (including which app user is designated as approver). - The app UI (generated by Lovable) shows the designated user an approve/reject action. - A follow-up Edge Function (or a Job polling the database) reads the approval status and continues with the remaining steps once approved. All of this is coordinated within Lovable Cloud. Describe the behavior in the project chat and Lovable generates the necessary code. Plan required: Pro (with Lovable Cloud). No additional permissions beyond builder access. Security best practices recommend keeping approval and state-transition logic in server-side code (edge functions), not the frontend. That aligns with this pattern. Reference: https://docs.lovable.dev/tips-tricks/security-best-practices Reviewed Link to this sourceRead Lovable’s statementLovable · Question: Does Lovable itself provide a visual workflow builder in which I can choose the event that starts an automation? 1. Choosing a trigger using native visual controls Not available. Lovable does not have a native visual workflow builder on any plan. Automations are created by describing the trigger to the AI in Build Mode (for example, "when a new row is added to this table, send an email"), which generates the underlying code as Edge Functions or scheduled Jobs. Reviewed Link to this sourceRead Lovable’s statementLovable · Question: In that native visual workflow builder, can I choose the steps that follow the starting event? 2. Choosing automation steps using native visual controls Not available. There is no point-and-click interface for selecting or composing automation steps. Steps are generated by the AI based on your description. Reviewed Link to this sourceRead Lovable’s statementLovable · Question: Can I directly change an existing automation's steps in a visual editor, without asking AI to make the change? 3. Editing existing automation steps in a visual editor Not available. Modifying an existing automation requires prompting the AI to update it, or editing the generated code directly. Reviewed Link to this sourceRead Lovable’s statementLovable · Question: Can I directly change an existing automation's conditions in a visual editor, without asking AI to make the change? 4. Editing existing automation conditions in a visual editor Not available. Same as point 3 - changes to automation conditions go through AI prompting or direct code editing. In summary: Lovable's automation capability is entirely AI-driven. You describe what you want, the AI generates the code, and updates are made by re-prompting or editing code. There is no native visual workflow builder on any plan, including Pro. Reviewed Link to this sourceChecked |
| AI agents that act across your connected toolsUnconfirmed Earlier comparison note · Original check 2026-08-29. (Lovable’s actions are limited to what each connected tool supports. Base44’s Superagents run unattended) Current answer: Lovable remains Unconfirmed. | In Base44, create an app agent in Dashboard → Agents and give it data tools, functions or authorized connections. External connections require Builder or higher and the connected service’s permissions. Connected services need authorization and appropriate permissions; external connections require Builder or higher. Requirement: An agent that reads and acts in the tools you’ve connected. Checked | |
| Emails, SMS & notifications sent for youUnconfirmed (Lovable can send transactional email from your verified domain on paid workspaces without a separate mail-provider account. SMS and campaigns use connected services such as Brevo and Twilio.) | Lovable: Paid workspaces send transactional email from your verified domain without another provider account. SMS and campaigns use services such as Brevo and Twilio. Sources: [38] Checked | |
| Ship it & own it | ||
| One-click deploy & managed hosting | Publish the reviewed app from the editor; Base44 hosts the live version and leaves unpublished edits in the editor until the next publish. Check data permissions and authentication before publishing. Check data permissions and authentication before publishing. Requirement: Publish to live hosting without touching a server. Checked | Use Publish to deploy the reviewed app to Lovable hosting and publish again when later edits are ready. Published access, Cloud usage and plan settings apply. Published access, Cloud usage and plan settings apply. Requirement: Publish to live hosting without touching a server. Checked |
| Custom domains & SSL (free only on Base44’s paid plans) | Connect an owned domain in app settings, configure its DNS and let Base44 provision the secure connection. A custom domain requires Starter or higher. Domain ownership and DNS changes are required. A custom domain requires Starter or higher; domain ownership and DNS changes are required. Requirement: Your own domain with HTTPS handled. Checked | In Lovable, publish the app, configure its title, description and social image, and connect an owned domain with HTTPS. Custom domains require a paid plan and DNS verification. Branding controls depend on plan. Custom domains require a paid plan and DNS verification; branding controls depend on plan. Requirement: Your own domain with HTTPS handled. Checked |
| Two-way GitHub sync (Lovable also syncs to GitLab)Different setup | In Base44, an app owner on Builder or higher connects GitHub for two-way code sync. Repository recovery can't restore versions from before the connection. Builder plan or higher; only the app owner can connect or reconnect. Versions from before the GitHub connection cannot be restored through that repository. Sources: [47] Checked | In Lovable, connect GitHub for two-way code sync, backup and external deployment. Repository permissions apply. Syncing code doesn't migrate Cloud services or app data. Repository permissions and supported branches matter; code sync is distinct from migrating Cloud data. Sources: [48] Checked |
| Edit the code in the app (paid on Base44 and Lovable: Base44’s in-app edits need a paid plan and Lovable’s free editor is read-only) | Base44: Editing code inside the builder requires a paid plan. Sources: [49] Checked | Lovable: Editing code inside the builder requires a paid plan. The free editor is read-only. Sources: [50] Checked |
| Publish to the iOS & Android app stores from the builder (Base44 generates the store files inside the editor and you upload them from your own developer accounts. Lovable’s guide says Lovable builds for the web and points you at a wrapper like Capacitor)Different availability | Base44: Builder and higher plans generate store files for a web-view app. Upload them through your own Apple and Google developer accounts. Sources: [51] Checked | Lovable builds web apps. Store publishing requires an outside wrapper such as Capacitor, rather than store files prepared in the builder. Sources: [52] Checked |
| Version history, restore & rollbackDifferent setup | In Base44, use version history to restore earlier code. GitHub-connected apps can't restore versions from before that connection. Publishing and database recovery are separate steps. GitHub-connected apps cannot restore versions that predate the GitHub connection; code rollback is separate from data backup. Requirement: Step back to any earlier version when something breaks. Checked | In Lovable, review saved versions, restore earlier code when needed, and publish the version ready for release. Code rollback doesn't roll back database data. Very old versions and versions before a remix may not be restorable. Code rollback does not roll back database data; very old versions and versions before a remix may not be restorable. Requirement: Step back to any earlier version when something breaks. Checked |
| An SDK & CLI for your developers (The Pro and Lovable Cloud setup has no Lovable-supported app SDK or CLI. Other backend setups remain unconfirmed here.)Unconfirmed | UnconfirmedLovable documents external developer controls. Support for both an SDK and a command-line tool remains unconfirmed. The Pro and Lovable Cloud setup has no Lovable-supported app SDK or CLI. Other backend setups remain unconfirmed here. Read Lovable’s statementLovable · Question: Can developers on Lovable Pro use a documented, Lovable-supported SDK to interact with their Lovable Cloud app from outside Lovable? There is no Lovable-supported SDK for developers to interact with a Lovable Cloud app from outside the Lovable interface, on the Pro plan or any plan. Lovable Cloud is fully managed, and the underlying Supabase credentials and connection strings are not exposed to users. No external Supabase client library or other database-level SDK can be connected to it from your own code. Reviewed Link to this sourceRead Lovable’s statementLovable · Question: Can those developers use a documented, Lovable-supported command-line tool to interact with their Lovable Cloud app from outside Lovable? There is no Lovable-supported CLI for Lovable Cloud app access, on the Pro plan or any plan. The Supabase CLI is not available to Lovable Cloud users. Lovable Cloud is fully managed and users have no Supabase account, dashboard, or CLI access to the underlying infrastructure. Reviewed Link to this sourceChecked | |
| Data & integrations | ||
| One-click connectors to the tools you use (Lovable’s in-app directory lists 108 connectors) | In Base44, authorize a connector or add a custom API integration. Connectors and backend functions require Builder or higher. The connected service needs its own account and permissions. Connectors and backend functions require Builder or higher; individual tools require their own accounts and access. Requirement: Authorize once and the connection works. Checked | In Lovable, authorize an app connector or connect a custom API. Published-app connectors and builder-chat MCP tools have different uses. Provider permissions and charges apply. App connectors and builder-chat MCP connectors have different runtime scope; external service permissions and charges apply. Requirement: Authorize once and the connection works. Checked |
| Model Context Protocol (MCP) connections | In Base44, connect MCP tools to builder chat or use its MCP server from another assistant. Custom chat connections need Builder or higher. They can't run inside published-app flows or backend functions. Builder or higher for custom MCP connections. Builder-chat MCP cannot be called from live app flows, workflows, backend functions or invokeLLM. Checked | In Lovable, connect an external MCP server to builder chat or use Lovable’s MCP server from another assistant. Workspace permissions apply. Builder tools and published-app connections have different uses. Custom connector availability and workspace governance apply; builder tools and published-app tools have different scope. Checked |
| Sync CRM dataUnconfirmed | ||
| APIs generated for your app’s dataUnconfirmed | In Base44, open the dashboard API page for generated references and code examples covering entity data, functions and agents. Download the OpenAPI specification when needed. Authentication and data permissions still apply. Authentication and data permissions still apply. Requirement: Your app’s data reachable from other software, automatically. Sources: [66] Checked | |
| Send email through Resend (Lovable requires your own Resend account, and Resend bills the sending) | Verify an owned domain in Resend, create its API key and add that key to the Base44 app integration. Builder or higher. A Resend account, API key and verified domain are required. Builder or higher; a Resend account, API key and verified domain are required. Requirement: Transactional email from the app you built. Sources: [68] Checked | Connect Resend and supply the required provider access and sending-domain configuration, then ask Lovable to build transactional email. A verified sending domain and any provider account or charges apply. A verified sending domain and any provider account or charges apply. Requirement: Transactional email from the app you built. Sources: [69] Checked |
| Design, content & findability | ||
| Visual design & UI customization (Lovable’s visual editing can’t touch dynamic content that comes from the database) | In Lovable, edit the design visually. These controls cannot change dynamic content coming from the database. Sources: [70] Checked | |
| App-wide fonts & colours set once (Base44’s pages document global colours and fonts, not a full component system) | In Base44, set global colours and fonts. This support alone does not establish a full component design system. Sources: [26] Checked | |
| Generate images, video & speech with AIUnconfirmed | In Base44, use the image, video and speech integrations to generate app media. Chat video generation needs Starter or higher and extra credits. Live app generation uses integration credits. Video generation through the chat requires Starter or higher and consumes extra credits; live generation uses integration credits. Sources: [36] Checked | |
| SEO controls & social previews | In Base44, set page metadata and social preview images, then use the SEO and GEO page to review search visibility. Metadata settings don't guarantee search indexing or rankings. Metadata settings do not guarantee search indexing or rankings. Requirement: Titles, descriptions and link previews you can actually set. Checked | In Lovable, publish the app, configure its title, description and social image, and connect an owned domain with HTTPS. Custom domains require a paid plan and DNS verification. Branding controls depend on plan. Custom domains require a paid plan and DNS verification; branding controls depend on plan. Requirement: Titles, descriptions and link previews you can actually set. Checked |
| Analytics & conversion trackingUnconfirmed | In Base44, open Dashboard → Analytics for traffic and sales reports, and add custom events such as sign-ups to measure conversions. Analytics begins after publishing and receiving visits; Free allows up to three custom events. Analytics begins after publishing and receiving visits; Free allows up to three custom events. Sources: [77] Checked | Reported Yes · UnconfirmedLovable: Built-in visitor analytics are available. General app conversion tracking without another tool remains unconfirmed. Requirement: See traffic, behaviour and conversions without adding a tool. Sources: [78] Checked |
| Working as a team | ||
| Real-time collaboration | In Base44, invite collaborators and workspace members with assigned roles. Team members can work in the shared editor and see comments and canvas updates together. Workspace roles and app access are separate controls. Workspace roles and app access are separate controls. Requirement: Two people in the same project at the same time. Checked | In Lovable, invite teammates to a workspace or project, assign roles and work together with changes visible in real time. Workspace roles, project visibility and published-app access are separate controls. Workspace roles, project visibility and published-app access are separate controls. Requirement: Two people in the same project at the same time. Checked |
| Teams, workspaces & roles | In Base44, invite collaborators and workspace members with assigned roles. Team members can work in the shared editor and see comments and canvas updates together. Workspace roles and app access are separate controls. Workspace roles and app access are separate controls. Requirement: Invite the team and control who can change what. Checked | In Lovable, invite teammates to a workspace or project, assign roles and work together with changes visible in real time. Workspace roles, project visibility and published-app access are separate controls. Workspace roles, project visibility and published-app access are separate controls. Requirement: Invite the team and control who can change what. Checked |
| Workspace design templates (Lovable’s design templates are Business and Enterprise plans only) | In Base44, create a workspace design system for reusable colors, fonts, logo and components. Make it the default for new web apps. Builder or higher. One design system per workspace outside Enterprise. Web apps only. Builder or higher; one design system per workspace outside Enterprise; web apps only. Sources: [83] Checked | Lovable: Shared design templates for new projects require Business or Enterprise. Sources: [72] Checked |
| A shared credit pool with per-member capsDifferent limits | In Base44, review workspace credit usage and set monthly credit limits for members who consume the shared pool. Per-member limits require an Enterprise-family Business or Enterprise workspace. Viewers don't consume credits. Per-member limits require an Enterprise-family Business or Enterprise workspace; viewers do not consume credits. Requirement: One pool the team draws on, with limits per person. Checked | In Lovable, workspace credits are shared. Owners and admins can apply member, project or workspace limits and choose alerts or blocked usage. Usage limits are available on paid plans. Check which usage types the selected cap includes. Usage limits are available on paid plans; check which usage types the selected cap includes. Requirement: One pool the team draws on, with limits per person. Checked |
| Security & compliance | ||
| Enterprise SSO & SCIM provisioning (Base44 can enforce SSO across the workspace and every app in it) | In Base44, Business and Enterprise offer workspace SSO; Enterprise adds SCIM and audit logs. These govern the builder workspace. App-user login and data permissions need separate setup. Workspace SSO is on Business and Enterprise; SCIM and audit logs require Enterprise. Workspace identity is distinct from end-user app authentication. Requirement: Your company’s login, and accounts created and removed automatically. Checked | Use workspace SSO for the team’s Lovable access and SCIM to provision members through the identity provider. SSO requires Business or Enterprise; SCIM requires Enterprise, a verified domain and active SSO. SSO requires Business or Enterprise; SCIM requires Enterprise, a verified domain and active SSO. Requirement: Your company’s login, and accounts created and removed automatically. Checked |
| Fine-grained roles & permissions | In Base44, define row-level and field-level security rules on entities to control which records and fields a user may access. Apply and test rules for the actual user roles. These are data rules rather than merely hiding interface elements. Apply and test rules for the actual user roles; these are data rules rather than merely hiding interface elements. Requirement: Who sees what, down to the row level. Checked | In Lovable, use workspace and project roles for builder access and review database security policies for the app’s row-level data access. Builder access and app-user database rules are separate layers. Builder access and app-user database rules are separate layers. Requirement: Who sees what, down to the row level. Checked |
| A security scanner built into the builder (Base44 scans pre-publish from the app’s Security tab and Lovable scans on every publish) | In Base44, run the dashboard security scan and review permissions and exposed secrets. Basic scanning is on all plans. Code vulnerability scanning needs Builder or higher. Test fixes before publishing. The basic scan is on all plans; code vulnerability scanning requires Builder or higher. A scan does not guarantee an app is secure. Requirement: The platform checks your app for security weaknesses before someone else finds them. Checked | In Lovable, run the project security review and inspect findings covering data access, secrets and application code before publishing. Scan depth and scheduling depend on plan. A passing scan doesn't guarantee security. Scan depth and scheduling depend on plan; a passing scan does not guarantee security. Requirement: The platform checks your app for security weaknesses before someone else finds them. Checked |
| Two-factor authentication | In Base44, enable a second login factor in Account preferences using an authenticator app or, on paid plans, SMS. SMS verification requires a paid plan. Workspace rules may require 2FA. SMS verification requires a paid plan; workspace rules may require 2FA. Sources: [98] Checked | Enable a second login factor on the Lovable account. The code is required in addition to the normal login method. Enterprise workspaces may require all members to use 2FA. Enterprise workspaces may require all members to use 2FA. Sources: [99] Checked |
| Compliance, audit logs & data governance | In Base44, Business and Enterprise offer workspace SSO; Enterprise adds SCIM and audit logs. These govern the builder workspace. App-user login and data permissions need separate setup. Workspace SSO is on Business and Enterprise; SCIM and audit logs require Enterprise. Workspace identity is distinct from end-user app authentication. Checked | In Lovable, use Enterprise workspace governance, security scans and audit logs alongside app-level data policies. Audit logs and the full governance controls require Enterprise. Workspace controls don't automatically secure app data. Audit logs and the full governance controls require Enterprise; workspace controls do not automatically secure app data. Checked |
| Control whether your data trains the models (Base44’s opt-out is enterprise-only. Lovable’s Free and Pro opt out in settings, and Business and Enterprise data isn’t used for training)Different limits | Base44: Opting out of model training requires Enterprise. Sources: [102] Checked | Lovable: Free and Pro users can opt out in settings. Business and Enterprise data is excluded from model training. Sources: [97] Checked |
| When it grows | ||
| Monitor the app’s performance (Published Lovable Cloud apps show visits and page views. On Pro, beta checks look at code and recent visitor errors. Scheduled checks use credits. These checks don’t establish full uptime or latency monitoring.)Unconfirmed | UnconfirmedThe main source describes Lovable staff monitoring their own service. It does not establish full performance monitoring for customers’ apps. Published Lovable Cloud apps show visits and page views. On Pro, beta checks look at code and recent visitor errors. Scheduled checks use credits. These checks don’t establish full uptime or latency monitoring. Read Lovable’s statementLovable · Question: Can a builder on Lovable Pro monitor how their own live Lovable Cloud app performs from inside Lovable? 1. Native monitoring of a published Lovable Cloud app (from inside Lovable) There are two customer-visible screens in the Lovable editor: Project analytics (More → Analytics in the project toolbar): - Starts collecting automatically when you publish; no setup required - Measurements: Visits, Page views, Views per visit, Visit duration, Bounce rate - Breakdowns by Source (referrers), Page, Device, and Country - A "current visits" counter shows visits active in the last 5 minutes - Available on all plans; controlled by the Visitor analytics toggle in Project settings → General → Publishing (on by default) - UTM campaign parameters are not tracked; for funnel or campaign reporting, an external analytics tool (such as PostHog) would need to be added separately Project monitoring (Project settings → Project monitoring, currently in beta): - Background checks on a daily or weekly schedule (builder's choice) - Looks at project code for broken functionality, logic, or UI, and at recent visitor errors with code-level root-cause analysis - Alerts appear in the editor (above the project chat) and by email - Available on Pro, Business, and Enterprise; any project editor can enable or disable it per project - Uses Lovable credits per completed run (cost varies per run and is shown in the monitoring history) Reviewed Link to this sourceRead Lovable’s statementLovable · Question: Can that builder watch recordings showing what real visitors did in their own published app? 2. Session replay (visitor recordings) Not available natively. Lovable's built-in analytics tracks aggregate traffic only and does not record individual visitor sessions or build visitor profiles. To add session replay, the builder would prompt Lovable to integrate an external service (for example PostHog, Hotjar, FullStory, or LogRocket) by adding that service's tracking snippet to the app. This is external tool plus custom code; there is no native Lovable control for it. No Lovable plan restriction applies to adding external integrations; the external provider's own account is what is required. Reviewed Link to this sourceChecked | |
| See and cap what’s using credits (Lovable shows each message's credit cost in history — Lovable’s documentation example prices a landing page with three generated images at 1.70 credits) | In Base44, review workspace credit usage and set monthly credit limits for members who consume the shared pool. Per-member limits require an Enterprise-family Business or Enterprise workspace. Viewers don't consume credits. Per-member limits require an Enterprise-family Business or Enterprise workspace; viewers do not consume credits. Checked | Lovable shows credit use, including each message’s cost in history, and supports credit limits. Sources: [106] Checked |
Follow the research
We gave Base44 and Lovable the same home-cleaning booking brief on 29 August 2026. We also opened Base44’s and Lovable’s automation, code and template screens. The clips show those actions. We cut the waiting time from the builds.
One booking build in each tool doesn’t establish typical speed or monthly cost. We didn’t run a workflow to completion or move either app to another host.
The code and automation recordings show the screens we opened. Workflow and monitoring findings also use linked sources. We didn’t test the described delay or approval setup. A matching checkmark doesn’t mean Base44 and Lovable implement the capability the same way.
Checked August 29, 2026
Your logins, data and hosting don’t move.
Two-way GitHub sync is real, and the SDK reaches your data from any frontend. The app those power still runs on Base44’s managed backend (auth, database, storage, hosting) and Base44’s pages show no way to run that backend anywhere else.
fine if you plan to stay. One platform, one bill, nothing to assemble. If engineers must own the runtime, that’s your signal for Lovable.
Lovable builds web software, and stops there.
On Pro with Lovable Cloud, delayed steps and approvals use generated code. There’s no built-in wait or approval control. The complete workflow-engine question remains unconfirmed. App-store packaging still needs an outside wrapper such as Capacitor.
fine when a web product is the point. If builder-prepared app-store files matter, Base44’s column carries both.
Base44 free is 25 messages a month. Auth, database and integrations are all included. An evening of building can spend all 25.
Base44’s workflow engine needs Builder. On our free account the Workflows screen opened on an Unlock notice — Builder plan or higher. Builder is $40 on the published list.
Lovable free is public. Anyone can open a free project. Private work starts at $25.
Lovable’s app can incur costs after launch. Published pages are free to host. Backend activity and in-app AI consume Run credits; pausing the backend can stop data and logic while the pages remain online.
Prices and free tiers move, so every link here opens the vendor’s live page and you read today’s terms. The two “Start building free” buttons are affiliate links (disclosed below).
Readers who shipped on Base44 or Lovable know what the message allowance actually bought them. Say what it cost you by month three, and what you’d tell somebody standing where you were.
Build visually or take the app’s code with you?
Start a new web app or bring your existing code?
One product, read across every comparison.
All four, and the one question that splits them.