Software developer Brandon Thomas has used Claude AI to create free alternatives to Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
The applications, called WordCraft, GridCraft, and DeckCraft, are open source and available to download from GitHub for Mac, Windows, and Linux.
From Adobe Alternatives to Microsoft Office Clones
Thomas is also the developer behind ArtCraft, a collection of free alternatives to Adobe software.
His Photoshop alternative, PhotoCraft, was recently featured as a Tool of the Day.
With 15 years of software engineering experience, Thomas has defended his AI-assisted development approach against critics on X.
Why Are Developers Criticizing These AI-Built Apps?
The projects have sparked debate among developers and open-source communities.
- Existing alternatives: Some critics argue that Thomas should contribute to established free applications such as LibreOffice and GIMP instead of creating new ones.
- Developer’s response: Thomas has criticized GIMP and shared a negative experience with LibreOffice, claiming it once caused him to lose a 40-page essay during his final exams.
- Early development: The Microsoft Office alternatives are at an earlier stage than his Adobe-inspired applications, which reviewers have already reported as buggy.
- Long-term maintenance: Reddit users have questioned whether a single developer can maintain and fix bugs across so many applications.
Epic Games Embraces Vibe Coding
The growing interest in AI-assisted software development extends beyond independent developers.
Epic Games has also embraced vibe coding, reportedly using the approach to develop a new launcher.
The company claims its preview launcher starts 46% faster than Steam, based on company-funded testing.
However, Epic acknowledges that the initial version has limited features, although it includes a shopping cart.
Is Vibe Coding the Future of Software Development?
AI coding tools are making it easier and faster to build software, from productivity applications to gaming platforms.
However, questions remain about reliability, security, maintenance, and the long-term quality of AI-generated code.
As more developers and companies experiment with vibe coding, users will ultimately decide whether these applications are reliable enough for everyday use.
What do you think? Would you trust an AI-coded online store with your credit card information?
