Build apps with Lovable, Bolt or Replit in a weekend, then earn recurring revenue.

The claim

Build apps with Lovable, Bolt or Replit in a weekend, then earn recurring revenue..

Vibe coding is one of 2026's dominant tech stories: big funding rounds, app-store floods and Apple's crackdown.

How we checked

This is an evidence check, not a hands-on test. We reviewed platform rules and policies, published earnings data, regulator warnings and reporting: 3 sources, listed below.

Costs

Start-up cost: £15–£80/month (builder subscription, usage credits, hosting; £79/year Apple developer fee for iOS)
Effort: medium

What the evidence shows

Vibe-coding tools really do let non-programmers ship apps, which is exactly why app stores are flooded and Apple has started enforcing rules more strictly. Verified revenue data suggests apps still hosted on vibe-coding subdomains almost never earn meaningful money, and a RevenueCat in-house build challenge produced only about $700 a year across the shipped apps. The reliable money is going to the tool makers and to people selling services to other builders.

Realistic earnings: Most beginners earn £0; those who do earn typically see tens of pounds a month. Freelance builds for clients are more realistic.

Limitations

Earnings ranges are typical outcomes for a beginner, drawn from the sources; some people do far better or worse. Platform rules change often, so check the latest policy before you start.

VerdictOverhyped

Rarely matches what is promised.