Claude Codevs.Natively
Anthropic's Claude Code has revolutionized the terminal. Natively has revolutionized the outcome. We compare the best vibe coding tools to help you decide: do you want a better assistant, or a finished app?
The Rise of "Vibe Coding"
As Andrej Karpathy coined, "vibe coding" is the practice of writing code by managing the AI, rather than typing syntax. With the release of Claude 3.7 Sonnet and the new Claude Code CLI tool, developers can now run agents directly in their terminal to fix bugs, refactor files, and execute tests.
However, a new category of tools is emerging: Outcome-First Builders. While Claude Code helps you write code faster, tools like Natively focus on delivering the final product—a deployed mobile app—without you needing to manage the local environment, API keys, or deployment pipelines.
Claude Code
The Agent in Your Terminal
Deep Integration: Runs locally, accesses your file system, and can run git commands.
Code Diff: Shows you exactly what changed before you commit.
Requires Setup: You still need Node.js, Python, Supabase CLI, and API keys configured locally.
Natively
The App Builder Agent
Click to preview on iPhone.
Zero Config: No "what is a api key" searching. Backend, Auth, and DB are auto-provisioned.
Full Stack: Generates the React Native frontend AND the Supabase backend simultaneously.
Real Native: Exports standard Expo code you can edit in VS Code later if you want.
Feature Breakdown
| Feature | Claude Code | Natively |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Existing codebases & complex logic | New projects & mobile apps |
| Environment | Local Terminal / CLI | Cloud Platform (Web) |
| Backend Setup | Manual (User configures Supabase/Firebase) | Automated (Auto-provisions Supabase) |
| Pricing Model | Per token / Monthly sub (Team/Enterprise) | Subscription (Starts at $5/mo) |
| Deployment | CI/CD Pipeline (Manual setup) | One-click to App Stores (Expo) |
| Output | Code Diffs / Pull Requests | Functional App + Source Code |
*Comparison based on features available as of December 2025.
Vibe Debugging: The New Standard
One of the biggest pain points in coding is debugging. Claude Code introduces what the community calls "bug md" workflows—where the AI reads your error logs and proposes fixes.
Natively takes this a step further by eliminating the source of many bugs: configuration. Since Natively controls the stack (Expo + Supabase), it guarantees that the generated code is compatible. You don't need to worry about pod install failures or version mismatches.
Claude AI Pricing vs. Natively
Using Claude Code heavily can be expensive if you are on a usage-based plan, especially with the large context windows required for claude 4.0 and newer models.
Natively simplifies this with a flat monthly subscription starting at $5. This includes access to top-tier models (we utilize the best model for coding, often switching between Claude and GPT based on the task) and covers the hosting costs for the generated backend during development.
Agents & The Future
Anthropic's research on "building effective agents" highlights that agents need tools. Claude Code has tools to read files and run terminals.
Natively's agent has higher-level tools: CreateDatabase, DeployToStore, GenerateIcon. This high-level abstraction allows Natively to perform tasks that would take a human developer (or a terminal agent) hours to coordinate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Claude Code with Natively?
Yes! Natively allows you to export your code to GitHub. Once exported, you can clone the repo locally and use Claude Code or Cursor to make granular edits or specific refinements while Natively handles the heavy lifting of the initial build and infrastructure.
What is an API Key and do I need one?
An API Key is a code that allows software to talk to other software (like OpenAI or Claude). With Claude Code or Cursor, you often need to provide your own keys. With Natively, we handle all the API keys and model provisioning for you in our subscription.
How does this compare to VS Code Insiders?
VS Code Insiders is just the beta version of VS Code. While it gets new features fast, it's still just an editor. Natively is a complete platform that includes the editor, the runtime, the backend, and the deployment pipeline.
Don't Just Vibe Code. Build.
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