Replay vs Cursor: Which Video-to-Code AI Offers the Best Version Control? (2026)

TL;DR: Replay offers superior version control compared to Cursor by leveraging behavior-driven reconstruction from video, providing a more accurate and maintainable codebase.

The future of UI development isn't about static screenshots; it's about understanding user behavior. Screenshot-to-code tools are rapidly becoming obsolete. Why? Because they only capture a single frame in time, missing the crucial context of how a user interacts with an interface. This is where video-to-code engines like Replay are revolutionizing the game, and specifically, how we approach version control. Cursor.so also offers video-to-code, but it falls short in truly understanding user intent, leading to less reliable and harder-to-maintain codebases.

The Problem with Screenshot-to-Code and Incomplete Video Analysis#

Screenshot-to-code tools generate code based on a single visual representation. They can’t understand workflows, state changes, or dynamic interactions. This results in code that's brittle and difficult to update when requirements change. Even video-to-code tools that don't deeply analyze user behavior suffer from similar limitations.

Consider a simple scenario: a user clicks a button that triggers a modal. A screenshot-to-code tool sees either the button or the modal. It doesn't understand the causal relationship. A video-to-code tool that merely transcribes the video may capture the sequence, but it doesn't necessarily understand the button caused the modal to appear.

This lack of understanding translates directly into version control nightmares. Imagine needing to update the modal's styling. With screenshot-generated code, you're likely editing disconnected components, increasing the risk of introducing bugs and inconsistencies. With shallow video analysis, the connection between the button and the modal might be implicit, making it harder to trace dependencies and understand the impact of your changes.

Replay: Behavior-Driven Reconstruction for Superior Version Control#

Replay takes a different approach: behavior-driven reconstruction. We analyze the video to understand the intent behind each user action. This goes beyond simple visual transcription; Replay reconstructs the underlying logic and state management that drives the UI. This results in a more robust and maintainable codebase, directly impacting version control efficiency.

Here's how Replay's approach to version control differs:

💡 Pro Tip: Behavior-driven reconstruction allows Replay to generate code that's not just visually accurate but also semantically correct. This makes it easier to reason about and maintain the codebase over time.

Code Example: Replay's State Management Advantage#

Let's say a user adds an item to a shopping cart. Cursor might generate code that focuses on visually updating the cart display. Replay, on the other hand, understands that adding an item to the cart involves:

1. •Updating the cart state.
2. •Persisting the cart data (e.g., in local storage or a database).
3. •Re-rendering the cart display.

Here's how Replay might generate the code (using React and a hypothetical

hook):

typescript
// Replay generated code
import { useCart } from './useCart';

const ProductCard = ({ product }) => {
  const { addToCart } = useCart();

  const handleAddToCart = () => {
    addToCart(product);
  };

  return (
    <div>
      <h3>{product.name}</h3>
      <button onClick={handleAddToCart}>Add to Cart</button>
    </div>
  );
};

export default ProductCard;

And the

hook:

typescript
// Replay generated code
import { useState, useEffect } from 'react';

const useCart = () => {
  const [cart, setCart] = useState([]);

  useEffect(() => {
    // Load cart from local storage on mount
    const storedCart = localStorage.getItem('cart');
    if (storedCart) {
      setCart(JSON.parse(storedCart));
    }
  }, []);

  useEffect(() => {
    // Save cart to local storage whenever it changes
    localStorage.setItem('cart', JSON.stringify(cart));
  }, [cart]);


  const addToCart = (product) => {
    setCart([...cart, product]);
  };

  return { cart, addToCart };
};

export { useCart };

This code not only updates the UI but also manages the underlying state, making it easier to reason about and modify. Cursor might miss the persistence aspect entirely, leading to data loss if the user refreshes the page. This difference becomes critical when collaborating and managing changes across multiple developers.

A Practical Example: Building a Multi-Page E-commerce Site#

Let's imagine you're building a small e-commerce site. You record yourself navigating the site, adding items to the cart, and completing a checkout process. Replay can analyze this video and generate a complete, multi-page application, including:

1. •Product listing page
2. •Product detail page
3. •Shopping cart page
4. •Checkout page

Replay intelligently infers the navigation flow, state management, and data dependencies between these pages. It understands that clicking a product on the listing page should navigate to the corresponding detail page, and that adding an item to the cart should update the cart state across all pages.

Cursor, even with video input, might struggle to connect these pages seamlessly. It might generate separate, disconnected components for each page, requiring significant manual effort to integrate them. This lack of understanding of the overall user flow can lead to version control headaches as you try to maintain consistency across the site.

Step 1: Record the User Flow#

Record a video of yourself interacting with a prototype or a similar website. Focus on showcasing the complete user flow, including navigation, form submissions, and state changes.

Step 2: Upload to Replay#

Upload the video to Replay. Replay will automatically analyze the video and reconstruct the UI.

Step 3: Review and Refine#

Review the generated code and make any necessary refinements. Replay provides tools for editing styles, adjusting component structure, and adding custom logic.

Step 4: Integrate with Version Control#

Commit the generated code to your version control system (e.g., Git). Because Replay generates clean, modular code with clear component relationships, you'll find it much easier to track changes and collaborate with other developers.

📝 Note: Replay also offers Supabase integration, allowing you to seamlessly connect your generated UI to a backend database. This further simplifies the development process and ensures data consistency across your application.

The Future is Behavior-Driven#

The difference between Replay and Cursor isn't just about video input; it's about understanding the video. Replay's behavior-driven approach leads to:

• •More maintainable code: Clear component relationships and state management make it easier to update and modify the codebase.
• •Reduced bug risk: Understanding user intent minimizes the chances of introducing bugs during development.
• •Improved collaboration: A well-structured codebase makes it easier for multiple developers to work together.
• •Faster development cycles: Automated code generation and intelligent state management accelerate the development process.

⚠️ Warning: Don't be fooled by tools that simply transcribe video. True video-to-code requires deep analysis of user behavior and intent.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

Replay offers a free tier with limited functionality. Paid plans provide access to advanced features such as multi-page generation, Supabase integration, and style injection.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

v0.dev is a text-to-code tool, while Replay is a video-to-code engine. Replay analyzes user behavior to generate more accurate and maintainable code. v0.dev relies on text prompts, which can be less precise and require more manual refinement.

Does Replay support all UI frameworks?#

Replay currently supports React and Next.js, with support for other frameworks planned for the future.

How accurate is Replay's code generation?#

Replay's accuracy depends on the quality of the input video and the complexity of the UI. However, Replay's behavior-driven approach generally results in more accurate and maintainable code compared to screenshot-to-code or transcription-based video-to-code tools.

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