Quick Answer
60-second read
Getting a working app out of Blink takes about five minutes — sign up, describe what you want to build in plain language, and Blink generates a working web app with a real database and login system already wired up. This guide walks through the free-tier setup, what to expect from your first prompt, and when it’s worth upgrading to a paid plan.
Free plan includes database + auth, no credit card required
This guide was last updated August 2026, with pricing verified directly on official pricing pages.
Step 1: Sign up for the free plan
Create an account at blink.new — no credit card required. The free plan includes 5 daily credits (roughly 30/month), and unlike some competitors, database and authentication are included from the start, not gated behind a paid tier.
Step 2: Describe your app in one prompt
Type what you want in plain language — for example, “a subscription tracker where users log in and see their monthly spend by category.” Blink’s AI agent interprets this and scaffolds a working app: UI, database schema, and authentication flow together, not as separate steps.
Step 3: Review the generated database and auth
Blink creates the underlying data tables and login system automatically. Check that the fields match what you actually need (e.g. the right data types, required vs optional fields) before building further — it’s easier to correct the schema early than after you’ve layered UI on top of it.
Step 4: Iterate with follow-up prompts
Refine by chatting further — “add a category filter,” “move the total to the top of the page,” “add a dark mode toggle.” Each edit consumes credits from your plan’s allowance; simple text/UI tweaks cost less than structural changes like adding authentication flows or new database relationships.
Step 5: Connect a custom domain and go live
Every save redeploys to a live URL with SSL automatically, even on the free plan. To use your own domain and take the project out of “public project” visibility, upgrade to Starter ($25/month, $13/month billed annually) — this also unlocks code export if you want to self-host later.
Step 6: Publish to mobile app stores (optional)
If you need a native iOS or Android app from the same project, Blink can generate a React Native version sharing the same backend and user accounts as your web app. App Store and Play Store publishing specifically is available on the Max plan.
Tips to Avoid Burning Credits Fast
- Batch small UI tweaks into one prompt instead of sending them one at a time — each message consumes credits regardless of how small the change is
- Get the database schema right in Step 3 before building UI on top of it — restructuring data relationships later costs more credits than getting fields right the first time
- Use the daily refresh credits for quick fixes and save your monthly allowance for larger features
- On Free, remember projects are public — don’t prototype anything with real user data or secrets until you’ve upgraded to a private project on Starter
When to Upgrade From Free
The free plan is genuinely usable for testing whether an idea works, since the database and auth aren’t crippled — but you’ll want to move to Starter ($25/month, $13/month billed annually) once you need a private project, a custom domain, or code export. Pro ($50/month) is worth it once you’re iterating daily and burning through the Starter credit allowance regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions: How to Use Blink
Do I need to know how to code to use Blink?
No — Blink is built around describing what you want in plain language, and it generates the UI, database, and authentication together. In-app code editing is available on the Pro plan and up for anyone who does want to read or adjust the generated code directly.
How many credits does a typical app use to build?
It varies by complexity — simple UI edits use fewer credits than structural changes like adding authentication or new database relationships. The free plan’s ~30 monthly credits are enough to build and refine a small working prototype; expect to need Starter or Pro once you’re iterating on a real project daily.
Can I export my code and self-host instead of using Blink’s hosting?
Yes, on paid plans (Starter and up) you can download your full project source and self-host it or migrate to another platform.
Is my project private on the free plan?
No — Free plan projects are public. Private projects require the Starter plan ($25/month, $13/month billed annually) or higher.
How do I publish a Blink app to the App Store or Play Store?
Blink generates a React Native version of your app sharing the same backend and user accounts as the web version. App Store and Play Store publishing specifically is available on the Max plan (from $200/month, from $100/month billed annually).
Related Resources
- 📖 Blink Review 2026 — Full hands-on review of Blink specifically
- 🚀 Blink vs Lovable — Head-to-head against the category’s most established player
- 🚀 Blink vs Bolt.new — Built-in backend vs in-browser WebContainer architecture
