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Best tools, by earnings

Best AI Tools for Building AI Apps, Ranked by Real Earnings

8 AI tools ranked by how often 211 real AI apps with sourced dollar figures use them. Cursor is #1, used by 12.

Platform rules change often. Requirements below were; always confirm on the linked source before applying.

8tools ranked
211real AI apps with a dollar figure
Cursormost used (n = 12)

Ranked by real cases, not by who pays us. Every figure is what the creator or the linked source (for example TrustMRR) stated. Starbelo links every source but does not verify earnings. Big wins are not typical results.

The Ranking

#1

Cursor

used by 12 of 211median $16Ktop $1M
See Cursor casesOfficial site
Vibe-code a browser flight sim with Cursor: $1M ARR in 17 days$1MARR in 17 daysVibe-code a browser flight sim with CursorSource: XVibe code a money-finding app with Claude Code and Cursor: Payout, $80K MRR in 4 months$80KMRR in 4 monthsVibe code a money-finding app with Claude Code and CursorSource: XVibe-code an AI content tool for creators: Stanley, $50K MRR in 6 weeks$50KMRR within 6 weeksVibe-code an AI content tool for creatorsSource: businessinsider.com
#2

Lovable

used by 10 of 211median $4,552top $40K
See Lovable casesOfficial site
Validate an app idea in a weekend with four AI app builders: $40K ARR in a month$40KARR in one month (as posted)Validate an app idea in a weekend with four AI app buildersSource: RedditProtect public figures from deepfakes: RemoveWise, $21K a month$21Krevenue a monthProtect public figures from deepfakesSource: Starter StoryStart on Lovable with a prototype and grow it to $20K MRR$20KMRRStart on Lovable with a prototype and grow it to $20K MRRSource: Reddit
#3

Claude Code

used by 9 of 211median $5,000top $340K
See Claude Code casesOfficial site
Vibe code an MVP in 2 days and grow it with your own audience: Stella, $340K MRR$340KMRR (per Starter Story)Vibe code an MVP in 2 days and grow it with your own audienceSource: XVibe code a money-finding app with Claude Code and Cursor: Payout, $80K MRR in 4 months$80KMRR in 4 monthsVibe code a money-finding app with Claude Code and CursorSource: XValidate an app idea in a weekend with four AI app builders: $40K ARR in a month$40KARR in one month (as posted)Validate an app idea in a weekend with four AI app buildersSource: Reddit
#4

Claude

used by 8 of 211median $8,000top $1M
See Claude casesOfficial site
Vibe-code a browser flight sim with Cursor: $1M ARR in 17 days$1MARR in 17 daysVibe-code a browser flight sim with CursorSource: XGive Claude a creative studio: CreativeClaw, $11.3K MRR$103.2Krevenue, last 30 daysGive Claude a creative studioSource: TrustMRRVibe-code apps with Claude and Codex: $51,767 in revenue by day 96$51,767in revenueVibe-code apps with Claude and CodexSource: YouTube
#5

ChatGPT

used by 7 of 211median $3,565top $51,767
See ChatGPT casesOfficial site
Vibe-code apps with Claude and Codex: $51,767 in revenue by day 96$51,767in revenueVibe-code apps with Claude and CodexSource: YouTubeValidate an app idea in a weekend with four AI app builders: $40K ARR in a month$40KARR in one month (as posted)Validate an app idea in a weekend with four AI app buildersSource: RedditBuild a simple AI wrapper app to learn an API: ArtScan, about $10K in revenue~$10KrevenueBuild a simple AI wrapper app to learn an APISource: Reddit
#6

Gemini

used by 6 of 211median $7,500top $340K
See Gemini casesOfficial site
Vibe code an MVP in 2 days and grow it with your own audience: Stella, $340K MRR$340KMRR (per Starter Story)Vibe code an MVP in 2 days and grow it with your own audienceSource: XRun an AI SEO tool free for 3 months, then convert: almost $10K MRR~$10KMRR (as posted)Run an AI SEO tool free for 3 months, then convertSource: RedditHelp brands show up in ChatGPT answers: BrandAxis, $10K a month$10Krevenue a monthHelp brands show up in ChatGPT answersSource: Starter Story
#7

Base44

used by 3 of 211median $40Ktop $1M
See Base44 casesOfficial site
Grow an AI app builder solo: Base44 hit $1M ARR in 3 weeks$1MARR in 3 weeksGrow an AI app builder soloSource: XValidate an app idea in a weekend with four AI app builders: $40K ARR in a month$40KARR in one month (as posted)Validate an app idea in a weekend with four AI app buildersSource: RedditBuild business apps for clients with Base44: $10,000 for 10 apps$10,000+from 10 appsBuild business apps for clients with Base44Source: Reddit
#8

Replit

used by 3 of 211median $37Ktop $40K
See Replit casesOfficial site
Validate an app idea in a weekend with four AI app builders: $40K ARR in a month$40KARR in one month (as posted)Validate an app idea in a weekend with four AI app buildersSource: RedditBuild a paid web app on your phone with Replit: $37,000 in revenue$37,000in revenueBuild a paid web app on your phone with ReplitSource: XConvert AI-built sites to WordPress: WPConvert.ai, $3,408 MRR$4,504revenue, last 30 daysConvert AI-built sites to WordPressSource: TrustMRR
Tools used here
CursorAppsSeeLovableAppsSeeClaude CodeAppsSeeStarbelo 50Playbook$9

What These Cases Earned

All numbers come from How Much Do AI Apps Make: median $6,186, n = 211.

FAQ

What is the best AI tool for building ai apps?

By real Starbelo cases with a sourced dollar figure, Cursor is named most often (12 of 211), with a median biggest figure of $16K. Figures are as stated by the creator or the linked source.

How is this ranked?

By how many of the 211 real AI apps name each tool, then by the median of their biggest stated figures. Only tools named at least twice are ranked. No tool paid to be listed.

Are these earnings verified?

Every figure is what the creator or the linked source (for example TrustMRR) stated. Starbelo links every source but does not verify earnings. Big wins are not typical results.

Methodology

We counted the 211 real AI apps on Starbelo that link a source and state a US dollar figure, and the AI tools each case names. One example can name several tools, so counts overlap. Median is the middle of the biggest stated figures of the examples that name the tool. Built Oct 28, 2026.

Related Earnings Data

All AI side hustles: the data studyAI AppsAI Automation Side HustlesAI Mobile AppsVibe Coded AppsAI SaaS ProductsAI Digital ProductsCursor AppsLovable AppsClaude Code AppsAI GamesAI UGC Ad BusinessesBest tools: Building AI Mobile AppsBest tools: Vibe CodingBest tools: Building AI SaaSBest tools: AI Digital ProductsFaceless AI channels

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Tools used here
CursorAppsSeeLovableAppsSeeClaude CodeAppsSeeStarbelo 50Playbook$9

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