Best AI for coding in 2025 : which model wins for app builders ?

Gemini, Grok, ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Claude… : a deep dive into the top coding AIs

In 2025, coding isn’t just for coders anymore. Artificial intelligence has flipped the script, turning complex development into something approachable for everyone. Models like Gemini, Grok, ChatGPT, DeepSeek, and Claude are leading the charge, powering tools that let you develop apps with a few words instead of endless lines of code. Whether you’re a seasoned dev or a newbie with a wild idea, these AIs promise to build apps faster than ever.

But which one’s the best for app builders?

The rise of AI for writing code has sparked a revolution called “vibe coding” describing what you want in plain language and watching it come to life. Take Scabld, for example: it uses Claude to whip up mobile, web and desktop apps with Flutter in minutes, no coding skills needed. But Scabld’s just one player in a bigger game.

From indie makers to pro developers, everyone’s buzzing about which AI delivers the goods. Is it ChatGPT’s versatility? Gemini’s power? Grok’s creativity? We’re diving in to find out.

This isn’t about picking a winner for every niche, it’s about understanding what these AIs bring to the table for ai app creation. We’ll explore their roots, test them in vibe coding scenarios, and see what the pros say. Ready to discover which model vibes with your next project ? Let’s go.

The contenders : Who are these AIs?

To pick the best AI for coding, we need to know who they are, where they come from, when they hit the scene, how they work, and what they’re built for.

Here’s the lineup:

ChatGPT (OpenAI)

• Who: Created by OpenAI, the team behind GPT-3 and earlier ChatGPT versions, co-founded by Elon Musk, Sam Altman, and others.

• Where: Born in San Francisco, a hub of AI innovation.

• When: First launched in November 2022, with GPT-4o dropping in mid-2024, refining its coding chops by 2025.

• How: Built on the GPT architecture, it’s a conversational AI trained on massive text datasets, excelling at natural language and code generation (Python, JS, etc.).

• What: A jack-of-all-trades for ai app creation, from scripts to full apps, it’s versatile but can get wordy.

Gemini (Google)

• Who: Developed by Google, the tech giant known for TensorFlow and DeepMind.

• Where: Mountain View, California, with global reach.

• When: Unveiled in late 2023, with Gemini 2.5 hitting in early 2025, boasting a 1M token context window.

• How: A multimodal AI (text, images, more), it’s optimized for complex tasks and integrates with Google’s ecosystem.

• What: A powerhouse for technical coding, great for big projects but less intuitive for casual build app vibes.

Grok (xAI)

• Who: Crafted by xAI, Elon Musk’s venture to accelerate human discovery.

• Where: Based in the US, tied to Musk’s futuristic vision.

• When: Launched in late 2023, with updates in 2025 making it a fast coder.

• How: Designed to be concise and creative, it learns from diverse sources (think sci-fi and X posts).

• What: Perfect for quick, quirky solutions, a vibe coder’s dream for mobile apps or prototypes.

DeepSeek (DeepSeek AI)

• Who: Built by DeepSeek AI, a Chinese AI research group focused on cost-effective models.

• Where: China, with growing global adoption.

• When: Emerged in 2024, gaining traction in 2025 for its efficiency.

• How: A lean, technical AI trained for reasoning and code, competing with pricier models.

• What: A budget-friendly pick for develop apps, strong in optimization but less polished for live previews.

Claude (Anthropic)

• Who: Created by Anthropic, founded by ex-OpenAI researchers Dario Amodei and Daniela Amodei.

• Where: US-based, with a focus on safe, interpretable AI.

• When: Launched in 2023, with Claude 3.7 Sonnet in late 2024, refined for 2025.

• How: Built for precision and clarity, it excels at structured outputs like code or app logic.

• What: A star for ai app generator tools, Scabld uses it to craft Flutter apps, for example.

These AIs aren’t tied to one framework like Flutter, they can tackle Python, JS, C++, or whatever you throw at them. Flutter’s just one use case (we’ll see it with Scabld later). For now, think of them as coding brains with unique flavors.

Vibe coding in action : the AIs at work

Vibe coding, describing your app in plain English and letting AI build it, is where these models shine. Let’s test them across big names in the space: Scabld, Cursor, Bolt, and Replit AI. No single framework focus here, we’ll mix web, mobile, and backend examples.

Scabld (Powered by Claude)

• What it does: A vibe-code platform where you prompt Claude to generate mobile, web and desktop apps with Flutter.

• Example: “Build a to-do app with a clean UI.” Claude spits out a Flutter code app for iOS, Android, and web, with real-time previews in an iframe. Done in minutes.

• Strength: Precision and structure, Claude nails full apps, not just snippets.

Cursor (Uses ChatGPT, Claude, etc.)

• What it does: An IDE, not an AI, but it leverages models like ChatGPT or Claude for AI for writing code.

• Example: “Write a Python script to scrape a webpage.” ChatGPT in Cursor delivers a clean script with requests and BeautifulSoup, editable on the fly.

• Strength: Autocompletion and pure code, great for devs tweaking dart or JS.

Bolt (Powered by ChatGPT)

• What it does: A vibe-code tool for web apps, using ChatGPT to generate frontend/backend.

• Example: “Create a web app to summarize articles.” ChatGPT builds a simple HTML/JS app with an API call, live in under 5 minutes.

• Strength: Fast web prototypes, perfect for ai app testing.

Replit AI (Uses Grok or ChatGPT)

• What it does: A collaborative coding platform with AI assist for quick builds.

• Example: “Make a mini game in JS.” Grok crafts a basic Snake game in Replit, playable instantly.

• Strength: Speed and creativity, Grok’s quirky edge shines here.

  
  

Comparison:

• ChatGPT: Creative but chatty, excels in Cursor/Bolt, less structured for full apps.

• Gemini: Robust for big tasks (e.g., backend logic), but overkill for vibe coding spontaneity.

• Grok: Fast and fun, ideal for Replit’s quick hacks, less polished for complex mobile apps.

• DeepSeek: Efficient, solid for scripts (think Cursor), but lacks live preview flair.

• Claude: The vibe coding champ, Scabld’s full Flutter mobile app output proves its edge.

Mixing it up: Bolt for web, Cursor for backend, Scabld for multiplatform, Replit for fun, each AI finds its groove depending on the tool.

What the pros say : opinions and trends

On X, devs weigh in:

• Gemini: “Handles entire tickets like a beast” great for pros.

• Claude: “Cleanest code I’ve seen” Scabld users love it.

• Grok: “Feels like a creative buddy” Replit fans dig its vibe.

• ChatGPT: “Still the king of versatility” Cursor/Bolt staple.

• DeepSeek: “Underrated for budget builds” niche but growing.

Trends show vibe coding taking off, Scabld, Bolt, and Cursor are hot topics in 2025.

So,

No one-size-fits-all here: Claude and ChatGPT lead for build app speed, Grok for creativity, Gemini for power, DeepSeek for cost. The app evolution is clear, vibe coding with these AIs makes app building a breeze. Scabld’s or Cursor’s polish, pick your poison.

What’s your fave AI? Let’s hear it.