Replay vs Cursor: Which AI Video-to-Code Tool Generates More Scalable React Code (2026)?

TL;DR: Replay leverages behavior-driven reconstruction from video to generate more functional and scalable React code compared to Cursor's screenshot-based approach, especially for complex, multi-page applications.

The promise of AI-powered code generation is here, but the devil's in the details. Screenshot-to-code tools have made headlines, but they fall short when dealing with dynamic user flows and complex application logic. The future is video-to-code, and that's where Replay shines. Let's dive into a comparison with Cursor, a tool that's gaining traction in the AI coding space. We'll focus on React code generation and, critically, the scalability of the resulting code.

Understanding the Limitations of Screenshot-to-Code#

Screenshot-to-code tools, like those partially implemented in Cursor, operate on a fundamental limitation: they only "see" a static image. They can identify UI elements and attempt to reconstruct them in code, but they lack any understanding of user intent or the dynamic behavior of the application. This leads to brittle code that's difficult to maintain and scale.

⚠️ Warning: Screenshot-to-code can be a quick starting point, but it often results in "spaghetti code" that requires significant refactoring.

Replay: Behavior-Driven Reconstruction from Video#

Replay takes a radically different approach. Instead of analyzing static screenshots, Replay analyzes video recordings of user interactions. This "behavior-driven reconstruction" allows Replay to understand:

• •The sequence of user actions
• •The relationships between different UI elements
• •The underlying data flow of the application

This understanding is crucial for generating code that is not only functional but also maintainable and scalable. Replay uses advanced AI models, powered by Gemini, to interpret user behavior from video, translate that into clean, well-structured React code, and even integrate with backend services like Supabase.

Replay vs. Cursor: A Detailed Comparison#

Let's break down the key differences between Replay and Cursor in the context of React code generation:

The table highlights the core advantage of Replay: its ability to analyze behavior from video. This unlocks features that are simply impossible for screenshot-based tools like Cursor.

Building a Multi-Page React Application: A Practical Example#

Imagine you need to rebuild a simple e-commerce application with product listings and a checkout flow. With Cursor, you'd likely need to take screenshots of each page and manually stitch together the navigation and data flow. This is time-consuming and error-prone.

With Replay, you simply record a video of yourself navigating the application. Replay analyzes the video and automatically generates the React code for each page, including:

• •Route handling
• •State management
• •Data fetching
• •UI components

Let's look at a simplified example of how Replay might generate a React component for a product listing:

typescript
// Generated by Replay
import React, { useState, useEffect } from 'react';

interface Product {
  id: number;
  name: string;
  price: number;
  imageUrl: string;
}

const ProductList: React.FC = () => {
  const [products, setProducts] = useState<Product[]>([]);

  useEffect(() => {
    const fetchProducts = async () => {
      const response = await fetch('/api/products'); // Replay inferred this endpoint from video
      const data = await response.json();
      setProducts(data);
    };

    fetchProducts();
  }, []);

  return (
    <div>
      {products.map(product => (
        <div key={product.id}>
          <img src={product.imageUrl} alt={product.name} />
          <h3>{product.name}</h3>
          <p>${product.price}</p>
          <button>Add to Cart</button>
        </div>
      ))}
    </div>
  );
};

export default ProductList;

💡 Pro Tip: Notice how Replay automatically inferred the

text

/api/products

endpoint and the structure of the

text

Product

interface based on the video recording.

Now, let's consider a scenario where you want to add a "Sort by Price" feature. With Cursor-generated code, you'd likely need to manually add the sorting logic and update the component's state.

With Replay, you could simply record a new video demonstrating the sorting functionality. Replay would then update the React component to include the sorting logic, automatically handling the state management and UI updates.

Addressing Common Concerns#

Some developers are skeptical about the reliability and accuracy of AI-generated code. Here are some common concerns and how Replay addresses them:

• •Code Quality: Replay generates clean, well-structured React code that adheres to best practices. The code is also highly customizable, allowing you to easily modify it to fit your specific needs.
• •Accuracy: Replay's behavior-driven reconstruction is highly accurate, but it's not perfect. You may need to make minor adjustments to the generated code, especially in complex applications.
• •Scalability: Replay is designed to generate scalable code. The generated components are modular and reusable, making it easy to build complex applications.

📝 Note: Replay is not a replacement for human developers. It's a tool that can significantly speed up the development process and reduce the amount of boilerplate code you need to write.

Replay's Unique Advantages: Beyond Basic Code Generation#

Replay offers several unique advantages that set it apart from other AI code generation tools:

• •Multi-Page Generation: Replay can automatically generate the code for entire multi-page applications, including route handling, state management, and data flow.
• •Supabase Integration: Replay can automatically integrate with Supabase, allowing you to quickly build backend services for your applications.
• •Style Injection: Replay can automatically inject styles into your React components, ensuring a consistent look and feel across your application.
• •Product Flow Maps: Replay generates visual product flow maps from the video, helping you understand the user journey and identify areas for improvement.

Step-by-Step: Generating React Code with Replay#

Here's a simplified guide to generating React code with Replay:

Step 1: Record a Video#

Record a video of yourself interacting with the UI you want to rebuild. Be sure to demonstrate all the key features and user flows.

Step 2: Upload the Video to Replay#

Upload the video to the Replay platform.

Step 3: Review and Customize the Generated Code#

Replay will analyze the video and generate the React code. Review the code and make any necessary adjustments.

Step 4: Integrate the Code into Your Project#

Integrate the generated code into your React project.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

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

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

v0.dev primarily uses text prompts to generate UI components. Replay uses video analysis to understand user behavior and generate complete applications with complex logic and data flow. Replay focuses on understanding what the user is trying to achieve, rather than just what they describe.

Does Replay support other frameworks besides React?#

Currently, Replay is focused on React. Support for other frameworks is planned for the future.

What kind of videos work best with Replay?#

Clear, well-lit videos with minimal background noise work best. Be sure to clearly demonstrate all the key features and user flows.

The Future of Code Generation#

Replay represents a significant step forward in AI-powered code generation. By leveraging video analysis and behavior-driven reconstruction, Replay can generate more functional, maintainable, and scalable React code than screenshot-based tools like Cursor. As AI technology continues to evolve, Replay is poised to become an indispensable tool for developers of all skill levels.

Ready to try behavior-driven code generation? Get started with Replay - transform any video into working code in seconds.