Kico vs Bolt.new

Short answer: pick Kico if you want to choose the model, run it on your hardware, and keep agents working around your apps. Pick Bolt.new if you want a fast hosted builder for apps and websites and are happy with the model Bolt picks.

What Bolt.new is

Bolt.new is a chat-to-app and website builder by StackBlitz, with hosting, databases and visual editing. According to its own site and docs, as of October 2026:

  • Standard and Max agents, with Bolt choosing the model. Bolt support
  • Hosting with analytics and custom domains, databases, auth and visual editing. Bolt release notes
  • Connectors and MCP support on the Pro plan. Bolt pricing
  • The separate open-source project bolt.diy runs local models through Ollama and LM Studio. bolt.diy on GitHub

What both do

  • Build web apps from a chat with a live preview
  • Connect tools over MCP
  • Work as a team

Where Kico is different

  • Pick the model per project, per agent and for background work: your subscription, your key, your organization's key, or your own GPU.
  • The dev agent checks its work in a real browser before it says done, and you see that it did.
  • A personal assistant and agents that run on schedules and events, with approvals and their own email addresses.
  • Read-only connections to your existing databases, and pushes to your own GitHub through Kico, with no token in the sandbox.

Questions

Is Kico an alternative to Bolt.new?

Yes. Both build apps from a chat. Kico also runs on the model you choose, including open-weight models on your own GPU, and adds a personal assistant and agents that keep working around your apps.

When should I pick Bolt.new instead of Kico?

Pick Bolt.new if you want a fast hosted builder for apps and websites and are happy with the model Bolt picks.

When should I pick Kico instead of Bolt.new?

Pick Kico if you want to choose the model, run it on your hardware, and keep agents working around your apps.

Bolt.new is a trademark of its owner. This page describes Bolt.new from its public site and documentation as of October 2026; if something changed, tell us and we will correct it.

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