Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

CloudShell VS Grasshopper App

Compare CloudShell VS Grasshopper App and see what are their differences

CloudShell logo CloudShell

Cloud Shell is a free admin machine with browser-based command-line access for managing your infrastructure and applications on Google Cloud Platform.

Grasshopper App logo Grasshopper App

Grasshopper is the coding app for beginners. With fun, quick lessons on your phone, the app teaches adult learners to write real JavaScript.
  • CloudShell Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-12
  • Grasshopper App Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-07

CloudShell features and specs

  • Integrated Environment
    CloudShell provides a fully integrated development environment directly within your browser, including access to Google Cloud resources, pre-installed Google Cloud SDK, and other useful tools.
  • Convenience
    Because it's browser-based, there is no need to install or configure anything locally, which can save considerable setup time and eliminate environment inconsistencies.
  • Security
    Operating within Google's infrastructure can add layers of security, including secure connection to cloud resources and less risk of exposing local machines to vulnerabilities.
  • Access to Project Resources
    Directly connects to Google Cloud resources associated with your account, making it easy to manage and deploy applications within your cloud environment.
  • Scalability
    Seamlessly scalable environment that can handle different workloads without performance degradation.
  • Persistent Storage
    CloudShell offers persistent storage, allowing users to save their work and configurations, which are available in future sessions.
  • Pre-installed Tools
    Includes a range of pre-installed tools, such as git, gcloud SDK, and language libraries, enabling efficient development and deployment workflows.

Possible disadvantages of CloudShell

  • Resource Limits
    CloudShell has usage limits, including limited disk space and CPU, which may not be sufficient for all types of workloads, particularly resource-intensive tasks.
  • Inactive Use Timeouts
    Sessions that are inactive for a period of time may be automatically terminated, which can disrupt ongoing work.
  • Dependency on Internet Connection
    Being a cloud-based solution, a stable internet connection is required. Any disruption in connectivity can hamper development and deployment processes.
  • Latency Issues
    Depending on your geographical location, there may be latency issues which can affect performance and response times.
  • Limited Customization
    While CloudShell provides many pre-installed tools, users have limited control over the environment compared to a locally managed development setup.
  • Paid Subscription Needed for Extensive Use
    Beyond the free tier, extensive usage of CloudShell resources may incur additional costs, which can add up depending on the scale and nature of the tasks.
  • Learning Curve
    New users who are not familiar with Google Cloud's ecosystem may face an initial learning curve to fully leverage CloudShell's capabilities.

Grasshopper App features and specs

  • Beginner-Friendly
    Designed specifically for beginners with no prior coding experience, featuring an intuitive interface and easy-to-understand lessons.
  • Interactive Lessons
    Offers interactive lessons and puzzles that keep learning engaging and hands-on, helping users grasp coding concepts more effectively.
  • Mobile Accessibility
    Available as a mobile app, allowing users to learn coding on-the-go, making it convenient to fit learning into a busy schedule.
  • Free
    The app is free to use, making it accessible to a broad audience without financial barriers.
  • Quick Sessions
    The lessons are designed to be short and can be completed in a few minutes, making it easy to learn in small chunks of time.

Possible disadvantages of Grasshopper App

  • Limited Depth
    Focused on beginner topics and may not cover advanced coding concepts, which can be a limitation for users seeking deeper understanding.
  • Language Limitation
    Primarily focuses on JavaScript, meaning users looking to learn other programming languages will need additional resources.
  • Lack of Custom Projects
    Does not provide opportunities for users to create their own projects within the app, which can limit practical application of skills learned.
  • Internet Dependency
    Requires an internet connection to access lessons and features, which can be a drawback for users with limited connectivity.
  • No Certification
    Does not offer any formal certification or accreditation upon completion of the course, which may be important for users looking to demonstrate their skills.

Analysis of CloudShell

Overall verdict

  • Yes, CloudShell is a good tool, especially for those who are actively using Google Cloud Platform. It provides a user-friendly interface and a comprehensive set of tools to manage cloud resources effectively. Its convenience, combined with the power of GCP, makes it a valuable asset for cloud-based development and operations.

Why this product is good

  • CloudShell is a versatile tool offered by Google Cloud Platform (GCP) that provides a command-line environment directly in your web browser. It is particularly beneficial for developers and system administrators because it allows them to manage GCP resources easily without needing to install additional software on their local machines. CloudShell includes the Google Cloud SDK, along with other essential tools, making it a convenient and efficient option for cloud management tasks. Additionally, it offers persistent storage, allowing users to save their scripts and data between sessions. The integration with other GCP services enhances productivity by providing seamless access and control.

Recommended for

  • Developers who frequently work with Google Cloud Platform
  • System administrators managing GCP resources
  • New users of Google Cloud who need an easy introduction to command-line tools
  • Teams collaborating on GCP projects, as it supports session sharing

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to CloudShell and Grasshopper App)
Text Editors
100 100%
0% 0
Online Learning
0 0%
100% 100
IDE
100 100%
0% 0
Programming
57 57%
43% 43

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Grasshopper App should be more popular than CloudShell. It has been mentiond 22 times since March 2021. 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.

CloudShell mentions (12)

  • Intro to the YouTube APIs: searching for videos
    Command-line (gcloud) -- Those who prefer working in a terminal can enable APIs with a single command in the Cloud Shell or locally on your computer if you installed the Cloud SDK which includes the gcloud command-line tool (CLI) and initialized its use. If this is you, issue this command to enable the API: gcloud services enable youtube.googleapis.com Confirm all the APIs you've enabled with this command:... - Source: dev.to / 9 months ago
  • Explore the world with Google Maps APIs
    Gcloud/command-line - Finally, for those more inclined to using the command-line, you can enable APIs with a single command in the Cloud Shell or locally on your computer if you installed the Cloud SDK (which includes the gcloud command-line tool [CLI]) and initialized its use. If this is you, issue the following command to enable all three APIs: gcloud services enable geocoding-backend.googleapis.com... - Source: dev.to / 12 months ago
  • Getting started with the Google Cloud CLI interactive shell for serverless developers
    While you might find that using the Google Cloud online console or Cloud Shell environment meets your occasional needs, for maximum developer efficiency you will want to install the Google Cloud CLI (gcloud) on your own system where you already have your favorite editor or IDE and git set up. - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
  • Cloud desktops aren't as good as you'd think
    Here is the product https://cloud.google.com/shell It has a quick start guide and docs. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • I do not have a personal laptop. Should I use my school's library computers to start learning or just wait until I get a laptop?
    If you are worried about creating other accounts etc - you can just use your gmail account with https://cloud.google.com/shell and that gives you a very small vm and a coding environment (replit or colab are way better than this though). Source: about 3 years ago
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Grasshopper App mentions (22)

  • Resources for Beginner Programmers
    If they're not up to zero to robot, my team uses Grasshopper.app by Google. It starts at a shade above block programming, and has text box inputs that will automatically grade your work. It's a resource we use when someone non-technical is learning to code for the first time, and to review basic concepts with some of the senior members who need a refresher on something specific. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Do u guys know any good apps to learn/have fun with coding?
    If you're just getting started, I've heard good things about Grasshopper: https://grasshopper.app/, but it may be too basic for you. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Coding Class for Pre-teen?
    I have completed https://grasshopper.app entirely with no prior knowledge of coding. It is very hands on easy to follow. There is more doing coding than reading and each question has a walkthrough available. It is by Google and directs you too Google's own coding platform when you finish. It covers the basics of coding, automation, HTML/CSS/JavaScript and Google's AppScript that work with apps like Google Drive... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Languages designed for typing on mobile phone
    For additional inspiration, play with https://grasshopper.app/ which is an app for learning JavaScript that has a clever UI designed for smart phones. Source: over 2 years ago
  • I think I am going to fail NCEA Level 3 due to my health problems. What can I do?
    Lots of free resources online to get you started: Https://grasshopper.app/ Https://ocw.mit.edu/collections/introductory-programming/ Https://www.coursera.org/courses?query=microservices. Source: over 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing CloudShell and Grasshopper App, you can also consider the following products

GitHub Codespaces - GItHub Codespaces is a hosted remote coding environment by GitHub based on Visual Studio Codespaces integrated directly for GitHub.

Codecademy - Learn the technical skills you need for the job you want. As leaders in online education and learning to code, we’ve taught over 45 million people using a tested curriculum and an interactive learning environment.

CodeTasty - CodeTasty is a programming platform for developers in the cloud.

Free Code Camp - Learn to code by helping nonprofits.

Dirigible - Dirigible is a cloud development toolkit providing both development tools and runtime environment.

Mimo - Learn how to code on your iPhone📱