Cursor vs Lovable
Cursor produces more production-ready code but requires coding knowledge. Lovable prototypes faster but needs security hardening, especially Supabase RLS. Code quality, security, and deployment compared.
Cursor and Lovable take fundamentally different approaches to AI-assisted development. Cursor is a full IDE that generates code inline as you work — you see and control every line. Lovable is a no-code builder that generates complete apps from prompts — you describe what you want and get a working app. Both produce code that needs work before production, but the issues are very different.
Head-to-head comparison
Code structure
CursorCursor
Well-structured Next.js with App Router patterns. Components are reasonably organized but tend to be large 'god components' with mixed concerns. Uses TypeScript with decent type coverage.
Lovable
React + Vite with shadcn/ui. Generates many small components but naming is often unclear (ComponentA, Section2). Logic is scattered across files. TypeScript is present but types are often loose.
Security
CursorCursor
Creates API routes and server actions without auth checks. Frequently puts secrets in NEXT_PUBLIC_ variables. Uses string interpolation in queries. Security issues are fixable but present.
Lovable
Critical Supabase RLS issues — tables often have no row-level security, meaning anyone with the anon key can access all data. This is the most dangerous pattern we see in any AI tool.
Backend / data layer
CursorCursor
Full-stack with server actions, API routes, and database integration. The backend exists and works but needs hardening (auth, validation, error handling).
Lovable
Uses Supabase for everything — database, auth, storage. The integration works but all data access is client-side with no server-side abstraction layer. Hard to add custom backend logic.
Speed of prototyping
LovableCursor
Requires coding knowledge. Faster than writing from scratch but you're still building file by file. A full app takes hours to days.
Lovable
Describe your app in natural language and get a working prototype in minutes. Dramatically faster for initial prototyping. No coding required.
Testing
CursorCursor
Zero tests generated. But the code structure makes it reasonable to add tests after the fact — components are testable units.
Lovable
Zero tests generated. The scattered component structure and tight Supabase coupling make adding tests harder — you'll need to refactor first.
Deployment
CursorCursor
Standard Next.js deployment to Vercel. Straightforward if environment variables are properly configured.
Lovable
Built-in hosting through Lovable, but limited. Moving to Vercel/Netlify requires exporting and reconfiguring. Supabase configuration (auth redirects, RLS) needs careful attention.
Code quality
Cursor produces higher-quality code that's closer to production-ready. The code follows established patterns, uses TypeScript properly, and has a clear structure — even if it needs security hardening and testing. Lovable's code works as a prototype but needs significant refactoring for production: better component organization, a data access layer, and comprehensive Supabase security configuration.
Security
Both have security issues, but Lovable's are more critical. Missing Supabase RLS means your entire database is exposed to anyone with your anon key (which is public). Cursor's issues (unprotected API routes, exposed secrets) are serious but less immediately dangerous and easier to fix.
Which should you choose?
Choose Cursor if...
Developers who want AI assistance while maintaining control. Best for production apps where you plan to iterate and scale.
Cursor servicesChoose Lovable if...
Non-technical founders who need a working prototype fast. Best for validating ideas before investing in production development.
Lovable servicesThe bottom line
Use Lovable to validate your idea quickly — it's the fastest path to a working prototype. When you're ready to go to production, expect to invest in security (Supabase RLS), code refactoring, and testing. Cursor gets you closer to production-ready code from the start, but requires coding knowledge. Either way, a professional review before launch is essential.
Whichever tool you used, we'll review the code
Get a professional review of your AI-generated code at a fixed price.
Security Scan
Black-box review of your public-facing app. No code access needed.
- OWASP Top 10 checks
- SSL/TLS analysis
- Security headers
- Expert review within 24h
Code Audit
In-depth review of your source code for security, quality, and best practices.
- Security vulnerabilities
- Code quality review
- Dependency audit
- AI pattern analysis
Complete Bundle
Both scans in one package with cross-referenced findings.
- Everything in both products
- Cross-referenced findings
- Unified action plan
100% credited toward any paid service. Start with an audit, then let us fix what we find.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start with Lovable and switch to Cursor later?
Yes, but it's more of a rebuild than a migration. Lovable exports clean React code that you can open in Cursor, but you'll likely want to restructure the codebase, add a proper data access layer, and fix security issues. Think of the Lovable prototype as a specification for what to build properly.
Which produces more secure code?
Neither produces secure code out of the box. Research by Veracode found that roughly 45% of AI-generated code contains security flaws. Cursor's security issues are more conventional (missing auth on routes, exposed env vars) and easier to fix. Lovable's missing Supabase RLS is a critical vulnerability — classified as Broken Access Control, the #1 risk on the OWASP Top 10 — and harder to detect because the app works fine while data is exposed.
Which should I choose if I'm non-technical?
Lovable. It doesn't require coding knowledge and you'll have a working app in minutes. Just make sure to get a professional security review before going live, especially for Supabase RLS policies. Our security scan ($19) checks for these issues.
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