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Forgd vs Replit - An Honest Comparison

Replit is a brilliant tool. But is it the right tool for running your business software?

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Let's be fair - Replit is genuinely impressive

Replit has done something remarkable. They've made software development accessible to millions of people who would never have opened a code editor. The AI features are powerful, the interface is clean, and the speed at which you can go from idea to working prototype is extraordinary.

If you're a developer, a learner, or someone who genuinely enjoys building and tinkering with software, Replit is a fantastic tool. I mean that sincerely.

But there's a difference between building software and running software for your business. That's where the conversation gets more nuanced.

The challenges of building business software on Replit

The 80% wall

This is the most common story I hear. You fire up Replit's AI agent, describe what you want, and within an hour you've got something that looks and feels like real software. It's exciting. It feels like magic.

Then you hit the wall. The AI gets you 80% of the way there, but the last 20% - the error handling, the edge cases, the database structure, the authentication flow - that's where things get difficult. And that last 20% is often where the difference lies between a demo and something your customers can rely on.

No ongoing management

Replit helps you build. That's their job, and they do it well. But once you've built your app, the management is entirely on you. Security patches, database backups, performance monitoring, uptime - all your responsibility.

For a side project, that's fine. For software that your business depends on, that's a significant commitment.

Debugging is your problem

Something will break. It always does. When it happens at 10pm on a Friday, and your customers can't log in or your orders aren't processing, who fixes it? On Replit, that's you - or the community forums.

If you're a developer, you'll manage. If you're a business owner who used AI to build the app, you're in trouble.

Credits run out on complex builds

Replit's credit-based pricing means costs are unpredictable. Simple projects stay cheap, but as complexity grows - more AI interactions, more compute, more storage - the credits add up. You might start a month thinking you're on a budget, only to find you've burned through your allowance halfway through.

Platform dependency

Your application lives on Replit's infrastructure. Whilst you can export code, the hosting, the environment, and the deployment pipeline are all tied to their platform. If Replit changes pricing, features, or shuts down a service, your business software is directly affected.

How Forgd and Replit compare

Feature Forgd Replit
Pricing model Fixed monthly fee Credit-based, unpredictable
Ongoing support Human, phone & email Community forums
Backups Daily, managed Your responsibility
Security updates Included Your responsibility
Debugging I handle it You figure it out
Code ownership You own everything On their platform
Production hosting Managed, monitored Basic
Ongoing management Included None
Build approach AI + human expertise AI, you're the human
Production readiness Guaranteed Up to you
Human contact Direct line to your team No dedicated support

Who should use Replit

Replit is a great choice for certain people and certain projects. Be honest with yourself about which category you fall into.

  • Developers who want a fast, browser-based coding environment
  • Learners who want to explore coding and build skills
  • Side projects and personal tools where downtime isn't critical
  • Prototyping ideas quickly before committing to a full build
  • People who genuinely enjoy the process of building software

Who should use Forgd

Forgd is built for people who need software to run their business - not people who want to build software as a hobby.

  • Business owners who need reliable, production-ready software
  • People who don't code and don't want to learn
  • Anyone who needs ongoing support, maintenance, and monitoring
  • Small businesses that can't afford downtime or data loss
  • Owners who tried building with AI tools and hit the wall

Frequently asked questions

Can Replit really build production business software?
Replit is excellent for prototyping and learning, and its AI features can generate working code quickly. However, there's a well-documented gap between a working prototype and production-ready business software. Forgd bridges that gap by handling hosting, security, backups, and ongoing maintenance - the parts that matter most when real customers depend on your software.
What happens when Replit's AI gets me 80% of the way there?
This is the most common frustration I hear. AI tools get you impressively far, impressively fast - then you hit a wall. The last 20% often requires debugging skills, architectural decisions, and production knowledge that most business owners don't have. With Forgd, I handle the entire build, including that tricky last stretch.
Is Forgd more expensive than Replit?
On paper, Replit's starting price is lower. But the true cost includes your time debugging, learning to deploy, setting up backups, managing security, and handling incidents. When you factor in the value of your time and the risk of downtime, Forgd's fixed monthly fee is often the more cost-effective choice for business owners.
Can I move from Replit to Forgd?
Absolutely. If you've started building something on Replit and hit a wall, I can assess what you've got and either continue from where you are or rebuild it properly. You'll own all the code either way.
Do I need any technical knowledge to work with Forgd?
None at all. You tell me what your business needs, and I handle everything - the build, the hosting, the security, the updates. You focus on running your business.

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