Bolt.new vs Replit Security
Bolt.new and Replit are both popular platforms for rapidly building and deploying applications, but they serve different use cases. Bolt focuses on AI-generated full-stack apps, while Replit offers a complete development environment with collaboration features. Their security models differ significantly, especially around code visibility and secret management.
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The Verdict
Bolt.new offers better default privacy since code isn't publicly visible, while Replit's free tier exposes source code which can leak secrets. Both platforms require careful attention to database security and AI-generated code review. For production applications handling sensitive data, Bolt's deployment model provides better isolation.
If using Replit, immediately upgrade to a paid tier for private Repls before adding any secrets or sensitive logic. Use Replit Secrets for all credentials, never hardcode them. For Bolt apps, configure Supabase RLS properly and scan with VAS before launch. Both platforms generate code that needs security review.
Industry Security Context
When comparing Bolt.new vs Replit, consider these broader security trends.
of Lovable applications (170 out of 1,645) had exposed user data in the CVE-2025-48757 incident
Source: CVE-2025-48757 security advisory
of data breaches involve databases with misconfigured access controls
Source: Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report
average cost of a data breach in 2023
Source: IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023
“Vibe coding your way to a production codebase is clearly risky. Most of the work we do as software engineers involves evolving existing systems, where the quality and understandability of the underlying code is crucial.”
Using Bolt.new or Replit?
Regardless of which platform you choose, VAS scans for security issues specific to your stack.
Start Security ScanFrequently Asked Questions
Why is Replit's free tier a security concern?
Free Repls are publicly visible by default, meaning anyone can see your source code. Even if you use Replit Secrets for API keys, surrounding code logic, database schemas, and business logic are exposed. This can reveal attack vectors even without exposing credentials directly. Always use paid tiers for any production or sensitive development.
Which platform generates more secure code?
Neither platform consistently generates more secure code. Bolt.new uses AI to generate full-stack applications quickly, often skipping security configurations like RLS. Replit's AI features have similar limitations. Both require manual security review. The key difference is code visibility - Bolt keeps code private while free Replit exposes it.
How should I handle secrets on each platform?
On Bolt.new, configure environment variables in your deployment platform (Vercel or Netlify), scoped appropriately per environment. On Replit, use the Secrets feature (not hardcoded values) and ensure you're on a paid tier for private code. Never expose service role keys, API secrets, or database credentials in client-side code on either platform.
Can VAS scan apps built on both platforms?
Yes, VAS scans deployed web applications regardless of how they were built. For Bolt apps deployed to Vercel/Netlify, we test the live URL for RLS issues, exposed secrets, missing headers, and other vulnerabilities. For Replit apps, we scan the deployed application similarly. The source platform doesn't affect our scanning capability.