Most people have experienced this moment. You are sitting with friends, casually talking, and someone throws out an idea that instantly sounds like a great app. Everyone starts adding features, imagining how useful it could be, maybe even checking if the name is available. Then reality sets in. Nobody in the group knows how to code, hiring a developer feels expensive, and learning Swift or Kotlin sounds overwhelming. The idea slowly fades away.
That is exactly the problem Replit is trying to eliminate.
The company has introduced a new feature called Mobile Apps on Replit, and it represents a major shift in how apps can be built. Instead of writing code line by line, users can simply describe what they want in plain language. Something as simple as “build an app that tracks the top 10 companies by market cap” is enough to trigger the system into creating a complete mobile application. The interface, backend logic, and overall structure are handled automatically.
What makes this even more compelling is that these apps are not just demos or prototypes. Replit’s platform supports real-world integrations, including payments through Stripe, which means developers can monetize their apps right away. According to Replit, the process from idea to a live app on the Apple App Store can take only a few days. For anyone who has gone through traditional app development, that timeline feels almost unreal.
It is easy to see why investors are paying close attention. Reports suggest Replit is exploring a valuation close to $9 billion in an upcoming funding round. That would mark a massive jump in a very short period of time. Much of this excitement comes from the rise of what many now call “vibe coding.” The concept is simple. Instead of giving precise technical instructions, users describe the outcome they want, and the AI fills in the technical details.
This approach is not limited to Replit. Tools like Cursor and models from Anthropic’s Claude ecosystem are also gaining traction, showing how quickly AI-assisted development is becoming mainstream. The idea of software creation shifting from technical execution to creative direction is no longer theoretical. It is happening in real time.
However, the reality is not entirely smooth.
Even if an AI can generate a working app in minutes, distribution is still controlled by platform owners. Apple remains the gatekeeper for iOS apps. While the company states that most submissions are reviewed within 24 hours, its approval process is known for strict standards around privacy, performance, and user experience. An app built by AI still has to meet those requirements. Automation does not guarantee approval.
Security is another major concern. A cybersecurity firm named Tenzai recently examined applications generated by AI-driven coding tools and found recurring weaknesses. These systems focus heavily on functionality, often overlooking essential security measures. Missing protections against brute-force attacks or poorly handled authentication flows can leave apps exposed. For creators who do not understand code themselves, these vulnerabilities can remain hidden until something goes wrong.
This creates an interesting contradiction. While many believe AI will replace developers and hurt traditional software companies, the situation is more complex. AI makes development accessible to more people, but it also increases the risk of fragile applications entering the market. Without proper oversight, the convenience of instant app creation could lead to long-term issues around safety and trust.
We are clearly entering a new phase where building software can feel as easy as sending a text message. That shift empowers creators, entrepreneurs, and idea-driven founders like never before. At the same time, it raises serious questions about quality control, security responsibility, and platform governance. For people with ideas, the future has never looked more open. For security teams and reviewers, the workload may be just getting started.
