CodeSandbox Overview
CodeSandbox is a cloud-based development environment that supports Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. Developed by CodeSandbox, it offers a seamless experience for developers with its robust architecture. CodeSandbox is known for its multi-file agentic editing capabilities and full terminal access, making it a versatile tool for developers. The platform supports predictive edits, enhancing the coding experience by suggesting code completions. Privacy is maintained with a standard privacy policy, and it is SOC2 Type II certified, ensuring enterprise-level security. The platform is accessible with a free tier, and pricing ranges up to $20 per month. Migration to and from CodeSandbox is seamless, and it uses a configuration file named sandbox.config.json.
Pros
- ✓ Cloud-based architecture for accessibility
- ✓ Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux
- ✓ Multi-file agentic editing
- ✓ Full terminal access
- ✓ Predictive edits for enhanced coding experience
- ✓ SOC2 Type II certified
- ✓ Free tier available
Cons
- ✕ No support for local inference
- ✕ Limited to standard privacy policy
Windsurf Overview
Windsurf is a standalone development tool supporting Windows, macOS, and Linux. Created by Windsurf, it features a powerful architecture with a vast context window of 200k tokens. Windsurf supports both SWE-1.5 and user-provided models, allowing for customization to fit specific needs. Like CodeSandbox, it offers multi-file agentic editing and full terminal access, along with predictive edits. Privacy is ensured with a standard policy, complemented by SOC2 Type II certification for enterprise-level security. Windsurf offers a free tier with pricing up to $30 per month, and migration is seamless. Configuration is managed through a .windsurfrc file.
Pros
- ✓ Standalone architecture for robust performance
- ✓ Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux
- ✓ Custom model support with SWE-1.5
- ✓ Large context window of 200k tokens
- ✓ Multi-file agentic editing
- ✓ Full terminal access
- ✓ SOC2 Type II certified
- ✓ Free tier available
Cons
- ✕ Higher price point up to $30 per month
- ✕ No support for local inference
Comparison Table
| Feature | CodeSandbox | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Type | cloud | standalone |
| Supported Os | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Developer | CodeSandbox | Windsurf |
| Supported Llms | – | SWE-1.5, User-provided models |
| Custom Model | – | SWE-1.5 |
| Context Window | 64k tokens | 200k tokens |
| Agentic Editing | Yes, multi-file | Yes, multi-file |
| Terminal Access | Full | Full |
| Privacy Mode | Standard Privacy Policy | Standard Privacy Policy |
| Certifications | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) |
| About Price | Free – $20/mo | Free – $30/mo |
| Config File | sandbox.config.json | .windsurfrc |
| Migration | Seamless | Seamless |
Conclusion
<p>Both CodeSandbox and Windsurf offer powerful development environments with strong security and editing capabilities. CodeSandbox stands out with its cloud-based architecture and affordability, while Windsurf provides a larger context window and custom model support. Choosing between them depends on specific needs such as budget, required features, and preferred architecture.</p>