Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

AWS Cloud9 VS PlatformIO

Compare AWS Cloud9 VS PlatformIO and see what are their differences

AWS Cloud9 logo AWS Cloud9

AWS Cloud9 is a cloud-based integrated development environment (IDE) that lets you write, run, and debug your code with just a browser.

PlatformIO logo PlatformIO

Next-generation IDE for IoT
  • AWS Cloud9 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-23
  • PlatformIO Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-04

AWS Cloud9 features and specs

  • Integrated Development Environment
    AWS Cloud9 provides a set of tools for coding, running, and debugging applications, making the development process more efficient.
  • Collaboration
    Real-time collaboration features enable multiple developers to work on the same project simultaneously, making teamwork easier.
  • Preconfigured Workspaces
    Preconfigured environments speed up the setup process, allowing developers to start coding immediately without worrying about configuration.
  • Serverless Development
    Supports serverless apps and provides seamless integration with AWS Lambda, helping developers build modern applications.
  • Remote Development
    Enables development from any location without the need for a powerful local machine, as the IDE runs in the cloud.
  • Cost Management
    Cloud9 uses pay-as-you-go pricing, potentially reducing costs compared to maintaining and upgrading local development environments.

Possible disadvantages of AWS Cloud9

  • Internet Dependency
    Requires an internet connection to access, which can be a limitation in areas with unstable or no internet access.
  • Resource Limitations
    Dependent on the allocated AWS resources, which may require scaling and can incur additional costs for high usage.
  • Latency Issues
    Potential latency issues could affect productivity, particularly when used over slower internet connections.
  • Learning Curve
    Users unfamiliar with cloud-based IDEs or the AWS ecosystem may require time to learn how to effectively use Cloud9.
  • Vendor Lock-In
    Being tightly integrated with AWS services, it may contribute to vendor lock-in, making it harder to switch to other cloud providers.
  • Cost Management Complexity
    The pay-as-you-go model can lead to unexpected costs if resource usage is not closely monitored and managed.

PlatformIO features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Support
    PlatformIO provides a unified environment that can be used on Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it versatile for developers who work across different operating systems.
  • Library Management
    PlatformIO has a built-in library management system that helps to manage dependencies easily, including automatic library updates and versioning.
  • Integrated Debugging
    It offers integrated debugging capabilities for a wide range of microcontrollers, which simplifies the process of troubleshooting and fine-tuning code.
  • IDE Integration
    PlatformIO is compatible with popular IDEs such as Visual Studio Code, Atom, and Eclipse, allowing developers to work within their preferred environments.
  • Extensive Board Support
    The platform supports a wide variety of development boards and microcontrollers, providing flexibility for various types of projects.
  • Continuous Integration
    PlatformIO can easily be integrated with CI/CD pipelines, which helps in automating the build and deployment process.
  • Community and Documentation
    There is a strong community and comprehensive documentation available, which can be very helpful for troubleshooting and learning.

Possible disadvantages of PlatformIO

  • Steep Learning Curve
    For beginners, the multitude of features and configurations can be overwhelming, leading to a steep learning curve.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users report performance issues, such as slow IDE performance, especially when dealing with large projects.
  • Complex Configuration
    The configuration files (`platformio.ini`) can become quite complex, particularly for advanced projects, which may be challenging to manage.
  • Limited GUI Options
    It lacks a full-fledged graphical interface for some advanced settings and debugging options, relying more on configuration files and command line.
  • Dependency on External Tools
    PlatformIO relies on various external tools and plugins, which sometimes may lead to compatibility issues or additional overhead in setting up the development environment.
  • Less Native Support
    While it supports many third-party boards and environments, official support and updates may lag behind native tools specifically provided by those third parties.

Analysis of AWS Cloud9

Overall verdict

  • AWS Cloud9 is generally considered a good option for developers, especially those working within the AWS ecosystem. Its cloud-based nature allows for easy access from anywhere, and the environment simplifies the process of scaling applications. However, for developers not working with AWS services, or those who prefer offline development, it might not be the ideal choice.

Why this product is good

  • AWS Cloud9 is a cloud-based integrated development environment (IDE) that is particularly beneficial for developers who need a robust and flexible environment. It offers seamless integration with AWS services, making it easier to develop, test, and deploy applications in the cloud. Cloud9 supports a wide array of programming languages, provides tools for real-time collaboration, and includes features like code hinting, debugging, and the ability to work on serverless applications.

Recommended for

  • Developers who frequently use AWS services
  • Teams that require real-time collaboration on code
  • Developers who need a browser-based IDE
  • Those looking to leverage the power of serverless computing within AWS

Analysis of PlatformIO

Overall verdict

  • Overall, PlatformIO is highly regarded in the development community for its flexibility, extensive feature set, and support for a wide range of development boards and microcontrollers. It is considered an excellent choice for developers looking to streamline their development process across different platforms.

Why this product is good

  • PlatformIO is often considered good because it is an open-source ecosystem for IoT development with cross-platform build systems, library management, and support for multiple environments and boards. It integrates well with popular IDEs like VSCode, offering a unified development experience with features like automatic code completion, debugging, and unit testing. Its extensive library of packages and tools simplifies the process of managing dependencies and configurations.

Recommended for

    PlatformIO is recommended for embedded systems developers, IoT engineers, and hobbyists who need a versatile and robust development environment. It is especially beneficial for those who work with multiple microcontroller platforms and require an IDE with comprehensive tooling support.

AWS Cloud9 videos

Introducing AWS Cloud9 - AWS Online Tech Talks

More videos:

  • Review - Introduction to AWS Cloud9

PlatformIO videos

#264 PlatformIO for Arduino, ESP8266, and ESP32 Tutorial

More videos:

  • Review - A Better Arduino IDE - Getting Started with PlatformIO

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to AWS Cloud9 and PlatformIO)
IDE
74 74%
26% 26
Text Editors
74 74%
26% 26
Programming
100 100%
0% 0
Software Development
79 79%
21% 21

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare AWS Cloud9 and PlatformIO

AWS Cloud9 Reviews

8 Best Replit Alternatives & Competitors in 2022 (Free & Paid) - Software Discover
AWS cloud9 is a cloud-based integrated development environment (Ide) That lets you write, run, and debug your code with just a browser. AWS cloud9 amazon web services.
Top 10 Visual Studio Alternatives
AWS Cloud9 is a cloud-based coordinated advancement system. It is a server that allows the users to type, initiate or operate and repair the code by only using the browser. It contains an editor program for code, error-removing system, and endpoint. Cloud9 has all the important tools for general programming languages, that includes,
12 Best Online IDE and Code Editors to Develop Web Applications
There are no additional charges for using Cloud9. You can connect Cloud9 to an existing/new AWS compute instance, and you pay only for that instance. Itโ€™s also possible to connect to a third-party server over SSH โ€” for exactly no fee! ๐Ÿ™‚
Source: geekflare.com
Ruby IDE: The 9 Best IDEs for Ruby on Rails Development
Here we are talking about a different animal all together โ€“ Cloud9. Cloud9 offers development environment for almost all programming languages including Ruby. Cloud9 is fast becoming popular among medium to large enterprises and companies like Heroku, Soundcloud, Mailchimp and Mozilla etc. are already using Cloud9.
Source: noeticforce.com

PlatformIO Reviews

We have no reviews of PlatformIO yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

PlatformIO might be a bit more popular than AWS Cloud9. We know about 56 links to it since March 2021 and only 39 links to AWS Cloud9. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

AWS Cloud9 mentions (39)

  • Serverless Data Processing on AWS : AWS Project
    AWS Cloud9 is a cloud-based integrated development environment (IDE) that lets you write, run, and debug your code with just a browser. It includes a code editor, debugger, and terminal. Cloud9 comes pre-packaged with essential tools for popular programming languages and the AWS Command Line Interface (CLI) pre-installed so you donโ€™t need to install files or configure your laptop for this workshop. Your Cloud9... - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Codespaces but open-source, client-only, and unopinionated
    AWS has Cloud9[1] though it's worth pointing out that it's not an exact a 1:1 and may require some elbow grease to use in the same manner[2]. 1. https://aws.amazon.com/cloud9/ 2. https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/architecture/field-notes-use-aws-cloud9-to-power-your-visual-studio-code-ide/ (2021). - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
  • How does working with files through AWS work, do you save them onto the AWS console?
    If you just want to run an IDE for Python in the cloud, take a look at AWS Cloud9 (that would cost something however). You could get your code into AWS and sync your local changes using a source code repository, e.g. On GitHub or GitLab. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Best web-based IDEs?
    Not sure why you won't use replit but AWS has Cloud9 https://aws.amazon.com/cloud9/. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Taking my AWS CCP Exam today, any additional notes help, feel pretty good about the information Iโ€™ve reviewed, but please feel free to drop advice or notes.
    As I mentioned in a previous post, cloud9 was not in the course I was studying from, and not in the practice exams I solved. It came in my exam. Https://aws.amazon.com/cloud9/. Source: over 3 years ago
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PlatformIO mentions (56)

  • 13 yo "Vibe Coding" on Raspberry Pi and Arduino
    We searched for other IDEs that would be simple to use, allow easy import of Arduino libraries, and upload the code on the board. I wanted something of the like of Atom editor, but it was not supported on Raspberry Pi (and deprecated now). We found that PlatformIO could be an option. It is a plugin in VSCode that can manage many type of boards. We went ahead, installed VScode, then the PlatformIO extension. We... - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Help Needed with Tauri Desktop App for NFC Card Enrollment on ESP32
    For the ESP32 in read mode, we've successfully developed a project using PlatformIO that accepts the key during build time and stores it in memory. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • It's 2023 why embedded development is so cumbersome?(rant)
    Check out Zephyr OS and Platform IO. Zephyr is part of the Linux foundation and has similarities to Linux with how it performs hardware abstraction (device tree). Platform IO integrates with other frameworks including mbed and Arduino. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Debug program using PlatformIO and avr-stub
    PlatformIO together with avr-stub can be used to do source level debugging but there are some caveats. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Do you know some sbc or soc that can be programed to run rtos and c++ on top?
    Look into https://platformio.org/, it can abstract over a few RTOSes, and can show you which OSes work with which chips/boards. Source: about 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing AWS Cloud9 and PlatformIO, you can also consider the following products

Codeanywhere - Codeanywhere is a complete toolset for web development. Enabling you to edit, collaborate and run your projects from any device.

Arduino IDE - Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware...

Koding - A new way for developers to work.

AWS IoT - Easily and securely connect devices to the cloud.

Follett Destiny Library Manager - Follett Destiny Library Manager is a complete library management system that can be accessed from anywhere.

Particle.io - Particle is an IoT platform enabling businesses to build, connect and manage their connected solutions.