K Koda Intelligence
scienceThe Lab
Lab Report

Lumi.new

Build functional web apps by chatting with AI. Describe what you want in plain language, and Lumi generates a working frontend and backend in a single conversational flow.

Try Lumi.new → Lumi.new screenshot showing the AI chat interface for building web apps

The Verdict

Lumi.new is built for non-technical founders, solo creators, and small teams who need a working prototype without writing code or managing separate design and hosting tools. The free tier is genuinely usable for simple sites, and the $29/month Pro plan unlocks enough to run a real project. If you need deep customization or complex backend logic, you will hit walls; but for getting from idea to deployed MVP in an afternoon, it is one of the more compelling options in the AI site builder space right now.

Pricing

Three tiers. The free plan is functional, not just a teaser.

Starter

Free

No credit card required

  • check_circleBasic website templates
  • check_circleChatbot assistance
  • check_circleResponsive design
  • check_circleBasic integrations
Popular

Pro

$29/month

For serious projects

  • check_circleAdvanced design tools
  • check_circleCustom domain hosting
  • check_circleSEO tools
  • check_circlePriority support

Enterprise

Custom

Contact for pricing

  • check_circleCustom solutions
  • check_circleDedicated account manager
  • check_circleAdvanced analytics
  • check_circleEnterprise integrations

At $29/month, the Pro tier is competitive with Framer, Webflow's basic plan, and similar AI builders like Durable. The free tier is more generous than most competitors, which typically gate hosting or custom domains behind paywalls.

Key Features

What you actually get when you start chatting.

chat

Conversational App Building

Describe your site or app in natural language. Lumi interprets your intent and generates both the UI and the underlying logic. No prompt engineering required; just talk to it like you would a developer.

drag_indicator

Drag-and-Drop Editor

After the AI generates your initial build, you can refine layouts visually. Move sections, swap components, and adjust spacing without touching code. Useful for fine-tuning what the AI gets 90% right.

devices

Mobile-First Responsive Design

Every generated site is responsive out of the box. The AI builds with mobile breakpoints from the start, not as an afterthought. Preview across device sizes directly in the editor.

search

Built-In SEO Tools

Pro plan includes meta tag management, sitemap generation, and basic on-page SEO recommendations. Not a replacement for a dedicated SEO tool, but enough to launch without obvious technical SEO mistakes.

extension

Third-Party Integrations

Connect Google Analytics, Shopify, Mailchimp, and Zapier. The Zapier integration is the most interesting, as it opens up hundreds of downstream automations without custom code.

rocket_launch

One-Click Deploy with Hosting

Pro users get domain hosting bundled in. Build, preview, and publish from the same interface. No need to export code and deploy elsewhere. The friction from idea to live URL is genuinely low.

Who Should Use This

Lumi.new is not for everyone. Here is where it fits best.

🚀 Non-Technical Founders

You have a product idea and need a working prototype to show investors or test with users. Lumi lets you build something functional in hours instead of weeks, without hiring a freelancer or learning React.

🛒 Small E-Commerce Sellers

The Shopify integration means you can spin up a branded storefront quickly. Not a Shopify replacement, but a fast way to get a custom-looking product page connected to your existing store.

✍️ Bloggers and Content Creators

If you want a personal site or blog without the overhead of WordPress hosting and plugin management, Lumi offers a simpler path. The SEO tools on Pro are basic but sufficient for content-focused sites.

🏢 Internal Tool Builders

Need a quick dashboard, form, or internal directory for your team? Lumi can generate functional internal tools without going through IT procurement. The Zapier integration makes it easy to connect to existing workflows.

Who should skip it: If you are a developer who needs full code control, or you are building something with complex authentication, real-time data, or custom server logic, Lumi will frustrate you. Look at Vercel's v0, Bolt.new, or just write the code yourself.

Limitations

What to know before you commit.

warning

Free Plan Template Selection Is Thin

The Starter tier gives you access to basic templates only. If you want something that does not look like every other AI-generated site, you will need Pro. This is a common pattern in the space, but worth noting if you are evaluating the free tier seriously.

warning

Backend Logic Has a Ceiling

Lumi markets itself as handling both frontend and backend, but the backend capabilities are limited to what the AI can scaffold. Complex database relationships, custom APIs, or anything requiring server-side logic beyond basic CRUD will push you past what the platform can handle.

warning

Integration Restrictions on Lower Tiers

Some integrations, particularly the more powerful ones like Zapier and Shopify, may have limitations or require the Pro plan for full functionality. The documentation is not entirely clear on which integrations are gated, which is frustrating when you are trying to plan a build.

warning

Code Export and Portability Are Unclear

If you outgrow Lumi, it is not obvious how easy it is to take your site elsewhere. There is no prominent mention of code export or migration tools. This is a real concern for anyone building something they might want to hand off to a development team later.

Ready to try Lumi.new?

Start with the free tier. Describe your app in a few sentences and see what it generates. You will know within 10 minutes if it fits your workflow.

Try Lumi.new →
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