Google AI Studio vs Lovable (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Google AI Studio if

• Fits if you want to try an app idea without paying
• Works for developers already in Google Cloud who want to publish to Cloud Run

Look elsewhere if

• Tight if you hit the free limits, as some models are off the free tier
• Watch out: when you share an app, its Gemini calls count toward your usage and paid models can cost money
• Watch out: Cloud Run charges apply to published apps by usage
• Not for you if you mind data use: free-tier content may be used to improve Google's products, says the pricing page

Pick Lovable if

• Fits if you're a founder turning an idea into a working web app
• Works for teams building internal tools from one shared pool of credits

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want an iPhone or Android app in the stores, as Lovable publishes to a web URL only
• Tight if you're staying free, at 5 build credits a day and 30 a month, with no custom domain, no code editing and the badge on
• Pricey if you need SSO or role-based access, since Business costs twice as much as Pro for the same credits
• Watch out: a Build mode message costs a variable amount, so you can't tell in advance how far 100 credits go

Google AI Studio

• The paid Gemini API tier bills tokens per million; the top Gemini 4 Carbon model is not available on the free tier.
• When you share an app, its Gemini API calls count toward your usage limits, and paid models may cost money.
• Cloud Run pricing applies to published apps based on usage.
• Free-tier content may be used to improve Google's products, according to the pricing page.

Lovable

• Usage is metered in credits, and a Build mode message costs a variable amount depending on the task.
• Free workspaces get 30 build credits a month at most and cannot use custom domains, edit code or remove the Lovable badge.
• SSO, role-based access and internal publishing start on Business, which costs twice as much as Pro for the same credits.
• Lovable builds web apps: publishing deploys to a web URL, not to the App Store or Google Play.

Google AI Studio

Build mode

Describe an app and the agent creates a full-stack web app or a native Android app in Kotlin and Jetpack Compose, then iterates through chat.

Annotation mode

Highlight part of the running app's interface and describe the change you want, instead of writing it out in chat.

GitHub sync and ZIP export

Connect a repository for two-way sync, or download the generated code as a ZIP to work in your own editor.

Publish to Cloud Run

Deploy a finished app as a Cloud Run service. Custom domains can be bought and connected from the Publish panel on a paid Google Cloud project.

Gemini features as building blocks

AI chips add capabilities such as image generation, Google Maps data or the Live API to a prompt, and the Gemini API key is set up server-side for you.

App gallery

A gallery of example apps can be previewed and remixed as starting points.

Lovable

Prompt-to-app building

Describe an app in chat and Lovable generates working code. Plan mode costs 1 credit per message, while Build mode charges by the complexity of the task.

Lovable Cloud backend

A built-in backend covers database, storage, compute and realtime usage for deployed apps, paid from the same credits. Every plan includes a monthly grant of 20 Cloud credits.

Git sync and code ownership

Each project is a codebase that can sync with GitHub, GitLab or Bitbucket on every plan. Editing and downloading code inside Lovable starts on Pro.

Publishing and custom domains

Apps publish to a lovable.app address: 5 domains on Free, unlimited from Pro. Custom domains and removing the Lovable badge need a paid plan.

Connectors and MCP servers

A connector catalog links apps and chats to services such as Slack, HubSpot and Notion, and custom MCP servers can be added for extra context while building.

Shared workspaces

Unlimited members build from one shared credit pool on every plan. Owners can set per-member monthly credit limits on paid plans.

Google AI Studio

• Free$0

  AI Studio access with limited model access and free tokens; content may be used to improve Google products.

Lovable

• Free$0

  5 daily build credits (30 a month at most), 20 Cloud credits a month, workspace-private projects, unlimited collaborators and 5 lovable.app domains.

• ProFrom $25

  per month, billed monthly; $250 billed annually

  100 credits a month at the entry tier, with tiers up to 10,000. Adds credit rollovers, top-ups, custom domains, code editing and badge removal.

• BusinessFrom $50

  per month, billed monthly; $500 billed annually

  100 credits a month at the entry tier. Adds SSO, role-based access, internal publish, personal projects, a security center and the Lovable API.

• EnterpriseCustom

  A platform fee plus volume-based credit pricing, with SCIM, audit logs, publishing controls, scheduled security scans and a named CSM.

Google AI Studio

No public discounts listed.

Lovable

• Annual discount

  Two months free with yearly billing

  The pricing page's Yearly toggle is labeled 2 months free. Pro with 100 credits is $250 a year instead of $25 a month, and Business is $500 instead of $50 a month.

• Education

  50% off Pro for students and teachers

  Verified students and teachers pay $12.50 a month for the Pro plan with 100 credits, billed monthly, for up to 12 months. Each person can use the discount once.