Replay vs. Builder.io for Building Complex Form Handling From Video: 2026 Comparison

TL;DR: Replay leverages video analysis and Gemini to reconstruct fully functional UI with complex form handling directly from screen recordings, providing a more behavior-driven and efficient alternative to traditional drag-and-drop platforms like Builder.io, especially in 2026 where user experience is paramount.

The Future of UI Development: Beyond Drag-and-Drop#

Building complex user interfaces, especially those involving intricate form handling, remains a significant bottleneck in modern software development. Drag-and-drop solutions like Builder.io offer a visual approach, but often fall short when dealing with dynamic behavior, data integration, and the nuanced user experience that defines successful applications. In 2026, the need for speed and accuracy in translating design intent into working code is more critical than ever.

This is where Replay comes in, offering a revolutionary approach: behavior-driven reconstruction. Instead of relying on static representations or manual configuration, Replay analyzes video recordings of user interactions to generate fully functional UI code. This means you can capture a user flow, including form submissions, data validations, and conditional logic, and Replay will automatically reconstruct the corresponding UI with working code.

Replay: Video-to-Code Revolution#

Replay is a video-to-code engine powered by Gemini that reconstructs working UI from screen recordings. It understands WHAT users are trying to do, not just what they see.

Key Replay Features:#

• •Multi-page generation: Handles complex flows spanning multiple pages.
• •Supabase integration: Seamlessly connects to your backend for data persistence.
• •Style injection: Applies consistent styling based on the video's visual cues.
• •Product Flow maps: Visualizes the reconstructed user flows for easy understanding and modification.
• •Behavior-Driven Reconstruction: Video is the source of truth.

Builder.io: The Drag-and-Drop Approach#

Builder.io offers a visual editor for building and managing website content. It empowers marketers and designers to create and modify pages without code, but it relies heavily on manual configuration and lacks the nuanced understanding of user behavior.

Replay vs. Builder.io: A 2026 Comparison#

Let's examine how Replay and Builder.io stack up in 2026, especially when dealing with complex form handling:

💡 Pro Tip: When recording videos for Replay, ensure clear and deliberate user actions to maximize the accuracy of the reconstruction.

Reconstructing Complex Forms with Replay: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Let's walk through a simplified example of using Replay to reconstruct a complex form with validation.

Step 1: Record the User Flow#

Record a video of a user interacting with the existing form. This includes filling out fields, triggering validations, and submitting the form. Be sure to show both successful and unsuccessful submission attempts to capture the full range of behavior.

Step 2: Upload to Replay#

Upload the video to the Replay platform. Replay will analyze the video and identify the form elements, validations, and submission logic.

Step 3: Review and Refine (If Necessary)#

Review the reconstructed UI and code. Replay provides a visual representation of the reconstructed flow and allows you to make minor adjustments if needed.

Step 4: Integrate with Your Project#

Download the generated code and integrate it into your project. Replay supports various frameworks and libraries, making integration seamless.

Here's an example of the type of code Replay might generate for a validated email field:

typescript
// Example generated code for email validation
const validateEmail = (email: string): boolean => {
  const regex = /^[^\s@]+@[^\s@]+\.[^\s@]+$/;
  return regex.test(email);
};

const handleEmailChange = (event: React.ChangeEvent<HTMLInputElement>) => {
  const email = event.target.value;
  setEmail(email);
  setIsEmailValid(validateEmail(email));
};

// In your component
<input
  type="email"
  value={email}
  onChange={handleEmailChange}
  className={isEmailValid ? "" : "error"}
/>
{ !isEmailValid && <p className="error-message">Please enter a valid email address.</p>}

⚠️ Warning: Replay’s accuracy depends on the quality of the video recording. Ensure good lighting, clear audio, and stable camera work.

Addressing Common Concerns#

• •Accuracy: Replay's accuracy is constantly improving with advancements in AI and machine learning. While it may not be perfect, it significantly reduces the manual effort required to build complex UIs.
• •Security: Replay uses secure data transmission and storage protocols to protect your videos and generated code.
• •Customization: Replay allows you to customize the generated code to meet your specific needs. You can modify the styling, logic, and data integration to fit your project.

The Advantages of Behavior-Driven Reconstruction#

• •Faster Development: Reconstruct complex UIs in minutes instead of hours.
• •Improved Accuracy: Capture nuanced user behavior and translate it into working code.
• •Reduced Maintenance: Automatically adapt to changes in user behavior.
• •Enhanced Collaboration: Facilitate communication between designers, developers, and product managers.

📝 Note: Replay is particularly effective for replicating existing UIs or prototyping new features based on user feedback.

Let's look at another code example, showcasing how Replay can reconstruct form submission handling with Supabase:

typescript
// Example generated code for form submission with Supabase
const handleSubmit = async (event: React.FormEvent) => {
  event.preventDefault();

  try {
    const { data, error } = await supabase
      .from('form_submissions')
      .insert([{ name: name, email: email, message: message }]);

    if (error) {
      console.error("Error submitting form:", error);
      setSubmissionStatus("error");
    } else {
      console.log("Form submitted successfully:", data);
      setSubmissionStatus("success");
    }
  } catch (error) {
    console.error("An unexpected error occurred:", error);
    setSubmissionStatus("error");
  }
};

// In your component
<form onSubmit={handleSubmit}>
  {/* Form fields here */}
  <button type="submit">Submit</button>
</form>

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

Replay offers a free tier with limited features and usage. Paid plans are available for increased usage and access to advanced features.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

While both tools aim to automate code generation, Replay focuses on video analysis and behavior-driven reconstruction, while v0.dev primarily uses text prompts and generative AI. Replay understands user intent from video, leading to more accurate and functional UI generation.

Can Replay handle complex animations and transitions?#

Replay can capture and reproduce basic animations and transitions. However, for highly complex animations, manual adjustments may be required.

What frameworks and libraries does Replay support?#

Replay supports a wide range of popular frameworks and libraries, including React, Angular, Vue.js, and more.

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