Introduction to CodeSandbox
CodeSandbox is a cloud-based development environment designed to simplify the process of building web applications. It supports multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing flexibility for a diverse range of users. Developed by CodeSandbox, this tool offers features like full terminal access and predictive edits, enhancing the coding experience for developers. With a context window of 64k tokens, it allows for substantial data handling capacity, although it doesn’t support local inference. CodeSandbox’s agentic editing capability is robust, allowing multi-file modifications which can be crucial for larger projects. Notably, it adheres to a Standard Privacy Policy and holds SOC2 Type II certification, which underscores its commitment to security. The pricing model is attractive, offering both a free tier and a paid option starting at $20 per month, making it accessible for both individual developers and enterprise teams.
Pros
- ✓ Cloud-based architecture with cross-platform support.
- ✓ Predictive edits and multi-file agentic editing.
- ✓ Full terminal access enhances development capabilities.
- ✓ SOC2 Type II certification ensures high-security standards.
- ✓ Accessible pricing with a free tier.
Cons
- ✕ Lacks support for local inference.
- ✕ Limited context window compared to some competitors.
Introduction to Zed
Zed is a standalone development tool that runs on macOS, Linux, and Windows, offering a versatile environment for software development. It supports several large language models (LLMs) such as Claude 3.7 Sonnet and Gemini 2.5, as well as local models like Ollama and open-source options like Zeta. This flexibility allows developers to choose the most suitable LLM for their project needs. Zed supports local inference, which is a significant advantage for developers working on resource-intensive applications. With a context window of 200k tokens, it can handle extensive data processing tasks. Like CodeSandbox, Zed provides full terminal access and multi-file agentic editing, ensuring comprehensive control over coding projects. However, setting up Zed requires more effort compared to the seamless migration offered by cloud-based solutions. The pricing is straightforward with both free and pro versions available, making it suitable for different user requirements.
Pros
- ✓ Standalone architecture with broad OS support.
- ✓ Supports a variety of LLMs and local inference.
- ✓ Large context window for extensive data handling.
- ✓ Full terminal access and multi-file editing.
- ✓ Free and Pro versions cater to diverse user needs.
Cons
- ✕ Setup is required for migration.
- ✕ May require more initial configuration compared to cloud-based tools.
Comparison Table
| Feature | CodeSandbox | Zed |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Type | cloud | standalone |
| Supported Os | Windows, macOS, Linux | macOS, Linux, Windows |
| Developer | CodeSandbox | Zed |
| Supported Llms | – | Claude 3.7 Sonnet, Gemini 2.5, Ollama (local), Zeta (open-source) |
| 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/Pro |
| Config File | sandbox.config.json | .zedrc |
| Migration | Seamless | Requires setup |
Conclusion
<p>Both CodeSandbox and Zed offer compelling features for developers, with CodeSandbox excelling in cloud-based convenience and Zed providing robust local inference capabilities. The choice between the two will largely depend on the specific needs of the developer, such as the requirement for local processing or preference for cloud-based solutions.</p>