v0 is a tool designed for rapid prototyping and code generation. I found it to be a mix of convenience and limitations. While it’s undeniably helpful for getting projects off the ground quickly, it’s not without its quirks—especially for more complex or customized work.

What v0 does well is speed. I tried using it to build a basic UI for a React app with Tailwind, and I had a working layout within a few minutes. It’s intuitive and great for laying the foundation of a project. However, its output can feel restrictive if you stray from its default setups like Tailwind or shadcn. The further you deviate, the more time you’ll spend manually adjusting things to fit your vision, which can defeat the purpose of using it for speed.

To push its capabilities further, I tested v0 on a fun side project—a simple 2D game. It generated a playable prototype almost immediately, which was impressive. When I challenged it to turn the game into 3D, it wasn’t perfect, but it managed to create something workable after a few iterations. It felt like working with a junior developer: fast and capable for basic tasks, but needing guidance for anything more complex.

That said, v0 has some noticeable limitations. One issue I ran into was its lack of depth in explanations. When I asked it to clarify a specific code snippet, the responses were too surface-level to be truly helpful. If you’re looking for detailed insights or trying to learn from the code, v0 isn’t the best tool for that. It’s better suited for generating quick concepts rather than providing a deep understanding.

Another drawback is its struggle with edge cases. For example, when I tried to tweak a layout to fit a custom design, v0 couldn’t handle the adjustments without breaking other parts of the structure. Similarly, while it’s great at generating code, I often had to refine and clean up the output to make it more maintainable in the long run.

At $20 per month, v0’s pricing feels fair if you’re using it regularly for prototyping or small projects. But if your workflow doesn’t rely on tools like Tailwind or you’re already comfortable building things manually, it might not offer enough value to justify the subscription.

Despite its limitations, v0 shines when you need to get something up and running quickly. It’s excellent for getting 80% of the work done in a short amount of time, making it ideal for projects where you just need a functional starting point. It’s also a useful tool for learning or experimenting with ideas you wouldn’t have tackled from scratch.