The Best AI IDE Platforms For Creators, Side-Hustles & Vibe Coding…

I’ve spent time testing and tinkering with the latest AI IDEs, and not all of them live up to the hype. In this guide, I’m sharing the platforms that actually make coding feel easier, smoother, and more fun—especially if you’re a creator, side-hustler, or vibe-coder just trying to bring your ideas to life without getting stuck in the technical weeds.

Best Vibe Coding IDEs

  • Cursor

    Cursor

    Best For: Advanced AI coding in a VS Code fork

    Cursor feels a lot like VS Code, but with an extra layer of intelligence built in. It’s familiar enough for anyone who has used a code editor before, yet powerful in ways that go beyond standard autocomplete.

    🤖 Supported LLMs: Claude 3.7, GPT-4, Custom API keys

    ✅ Core Features: Code completion, AI chat interface, multi-file context, terminal, image support, composer workspace, agent mode

    🧑‍💻 Type: Desktop IDE (VS Code fork)

  • Bolt AI

    Bolt AI

    Best For: Web app prototyping & full-stack development

    Beginners can build working apps with prompts, but refining logic or fixing complex integrations often requires manual edits.

    🤖 Supported LLMs: Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet 4 LLM

    ✅ Core Features: Code completion, AI chat, multi-file context, terminal, live preview, npm integration

    🧑‍💻 Type: Web-based IDE

  • Cline

    Cline

    Best For: Custom model integration, VS Code extension

    Unlike many AI tools, it is fully client-side. Your code never leaves your machine, which makes it popular with teams that need privacy and security.

    🤖 Supported LLMs: Claude, DeepSeek, Gemini (via OpenRouter), AWS Bedrock, GCP Vertex, Local models

    ✅ Core Features: Code completion, AI chat, terminal, MCP server, screenshot analysis, memory bank system

    🧑‍💻 Type: VS Code extension

  • aider

    aider

    Best For: Git-centric CLI development & AI pair programming

    If you are a beginner learning to code, an indie hacker testing ideas, or a creator experimenting with vibe coding, Aider is a solid way to get hands-on with AI-assisted programming without subscriptions or vendor lock-in.

    🤖 Supported LLMs: OpenAI, Anthropic, DeepSeek, Local via Ollama

    ✅ Core Features: Git-native workflow, multi-file edits, terminal, web search, voice input

    🧑‍💻 Type: Command line tool (CLI), browser UI (beta)