Replit

Replit has evolved from a simple online code editor into a comprehensive AI-powered development platform. Its two headline AI features are Ghostwriter, which provides real-time code completion and explanations as you type, and Replit Agent, which can build entire applications from natural language prompts. The cloud-based nature of Replit means you can start coding from any device with a browser, and the mobile apps make it one of the few platforms where you can genuinely write and test code on a phone or tablet.

Replit Agent is particularly impressive for its ability to go beyond code generation. It can set up project structures, install dependencies, create databases, configure environment variables, and deploy your application — essentially handling the full development lifecycle. For beginners and non-developers, this makes building functional web applications accessible in a way that was not possible even a year ago. The collaborative multiplayer editing also makes Replit a strong choice for teams and education.

The shift to effort-based pricing in 2026 has been polarizing. Rather than predictable per-seat costs, Replit now charges based on the computational effort your AI requests consume, which means a simple code completion costs far less than asking Agent to build a complex feature. While this is fairer in theory, it makes budgeting difficult in practice. The Core plan's $25 in monthly credits can disappear quickly during intensive Agent sessions, and unlike the Pro plan, unused Core credits do not roll over. Despite the pricing complexity, Replit remains one of the most accessible entry points for anyone wanting to build software with AI assistance.