Hackathons are about creativity, speed, and teamwork. The challenge is to take an idea and turn it into something real in a very short amount of time. Writing every line of code from scratch can slow you down, which is why low-code, no-code, and generative AI platforms have become so important. They remove much of the heavy lifting such as setting up databases, APIs, hosting, and authentication, allowing you to focus on solving real problems.
This is not a complete list of everything out there. Think of it as a starting point to help you explore what tools might be useful at a hackathon. Most of them have free tiers, so you and your team can test them out and decide what works best.
Base44
Base44 is built for speed, generating apps in minutes from natural language prompts while taking care of the backend, from infrastructure and databases to payments and APIs. It even connects with everyday tools like Google Sheets, Slack, and Notion, making it well suited for teams that want to hit the ground running with a secure setup already in place.
Loveable
Loveable combines natural language prompts with visual editing, allowing live previews as you refine your app. It integrates with services like Supabase for authentication and data, while also offering developer features such as GitHub integration and full codebase export. This makes it a great middle ground for teams that want the speed of low-code tools but also the flexibility to grow their project further once the hackathon is over.
Cursor
Cursor is like having an AI coding partner by your side. It helps with autocompletion, generating snippets, detecting errors, and debugging, so you can focus on your idea rather than repetitive coding. For teams that enjoy writing code but want to move quickly, even the free tier can shave off valuable hours during the event.
UI Bakery
UI Bakery shines when building dashboards or internal tools. With its drag-and-drop interface, dozens of ready-made components, and the ability to connect to databases like Firebase or PostgreSQL, it is well suited for projects that need data presented in a clean, functional way. The platform also allows custom scripts for added flexibility, which is useful if your team wants to balance speed with some customisation.
bolt.new
bolt.new is designed for rapid web app building without writing code. Its drag-and-drop editor, combined with triggers and actions, makes it easy to build out workflows and automate tasks. Because it integrates with databases like Supabase and Airtable, teams can put together a working MVP in record time and spend their energy on polishing the idea rather than fiddling with setup.
Replit AI
Replit AI offers a coding environment in the browser, blending natural language prompts with multi-language support. You can type instructions in plain English and have them turned into working code, then deploy straight from the platform. Its real strength comes from collaboration, allowing multiple teammates to work together on the same project without setup headaches, which makes it especially handy in time-pressured hackathon settings.
Bubble
Bubble is one of the most established no-code platforms and can scale well beyond a hackathon. Its visual editor, built-in database, and workflow engine make it capable of handling everything from user accounts and payments to analytics and AI integrations. For teams that want their project to feel like a polished, full product that could live on after the event, Bubble provides a strong foundation.
Final Thoughts
These platforms are tools, not solutions in themselves. The real magic in a hackathon comes from your creativity and teamwork. Low-code, no-code, and AI platforms simply remove some barriers so you can spend more time solving problems.
Experiment with a few, try out free tiers before the event, and choose the ones that feel natural to your team. Remember that there is no single right answer. What matters is how you use these tools to bring your ideas to life.
