- SPECIMEN
Lumi.new
- FILED AS
Filed without a one-line summary.
- INTAKE DATE
- 2026-05-12
- CLASS
- Marketing
- METHOD
- desk research, filed before the Lab logged its counts
No dimension scores were recorded for this specimen, so no Koda Score is published. Read the verdict instead.
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.
Open Lumi.new
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 includes 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, straight.
Three tiers. The free plan is functional, not just a teaser.
Starter
Free
No credit card required
- Basic website templates
- Chatbot assistance
- Responsive design
- Basic integrations
Pro
$29/month
For serious projects
- Advanced design tools
- Custom domain hosting
- SEO tools
- Priority support
Enterprise
Custom
Contact for pricing
- Custom solutions
- Dedicated account manager
- Advanced analytics
- Enterprise integrations
Pricing as captured on 2026-05-12. Check the live site before you commit.
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.
What it actually does.
What you actually get when you start chatting.
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-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.
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.
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.
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.
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 it is for.
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.
The honest part.
What to know before you commit.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Open 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.