Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

CloudShell VS Multipass

Compare CloudShell VS Multipass and see what are their differences

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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.

Multipass logo Multipass

Multipass provides a command line interface to launch, manage and generally fiddle about with instances of Linux.
  • CloudShell Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-12
  • Multipass Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-08-13

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.

Multipass features and specs

  • Easy Setup
    Multipass provides a straightforward command-line interface, making it easy to set up and manage virtual machines with minimal command input.
  • Cross-platform Support
    Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, Multipass ensures that users can run virtual machines on different operating systems easily.
  • Integration with Cloud-Init
    Multipass supports cloud-init, allowing users to automate the initial system configuration of their instances, which is beneficial for development and testing.
  • Lightweight
    Multipass is designed to be lightweight and fast, minimizing the resource burden on the host system and allowing for quick VM launches.
  • Ubuntu Focus
    Multipass is optimized for creating and managing Ubuntu instances, ensuring a consistent environment for Ubuntu-based development.

Possible disadvantages of Multipass

  • Limited to Ubuntu
    Multipass primarily supports Ubuntu images, which may be a limitation for users who require different operating systems for their environments.
  • No GUI
    It lacks a graphical user interface, which might be challenging for users who prefer not to work through a command-line interface.
  • Basic Network Configuration
    Networking options in Multipass are relatively basic compared to other virtualization tools, potentially limiting advanced network setups.
  • Resource Management
    Multipass may not offer as detailed resource allocation or monitoring tools compared to dedicated virtualization solutions like VMware or VirtualBox.
  • Dependency on Host OS
    The performance and functionality can be heavily dependent on the underlying host operating system and its updates, which might introduce unforeseen issues.

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

CloudShell videos

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Multipass videos

Kilohearts MULTIPASS

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Kilohearts Tutorials - Introduction to Multipass
  • Review - Janji Multipass Sling (2L) Review - A Hip Pack for Runners

Category Popularity

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Cloud Computing
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100% 100
Development
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User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Multipass should be more popular than CloudShell. It has been mentiond 89 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 (13)

  • GCP Fundamentals: Cloud Shell API
    The Google Cloud Shell API empowers organizations to automate cloud operations, accelerate software delivery, and improve efficiency. By providing a programmatic interface for managing Cloud Shell environments, the API unlocks new possibilities for developers, SREs, and data teams. Explore the official documentation and try the hands-on lab to experience the benefits of the Cloud Shell API firsthand. ... - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • 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 / about 2 years 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 / about 2 years 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 / almost 4 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 / almost 4 years ago
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Multipass mentions (89)

  • Terraform for Local VMs: A Modern Alternative to Vagrant
    Then I discovered Canonical Multipass - a lightweight VM manager from Canonical. - Source: dev.to / 8 months ago
  • Setting Up an Ubuntu Dev Environment with Multipass and VS Code Remote-SSH
    Download and Install Multipass Multipass makes creating and managing Ubuntu VMs extremely simple. Download it from the official website and follow the installation instructions for your OS. - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
  • Linux virtual machines, with a focus on running containers
    Since we're here. What do people use when they need to test their software installs well on naked Ubuntu Server of some version? To not do manual setup in VMWare, can be Linux-only. I've found Multipass https://multipass.run/ by Canonical and I wonder if anyone recommends it. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Packer Workflows with Jenkins
    Multipass I love Multipass for quick Ubuntu instances spun up for testing or as a playground. Wish I would have known and used of it sooner. - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
  • VMs on macOS using Apple's native Virtualization.Framework
    If you just need Ubuntu then you can try "Multipass" from Canonical (https://multipass.run/). Works quite well on my M2 Air. I haven't tried using Linux GUI with it though as I need only terminal based VMs. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing CloudShell and Multipass, 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.

Homebrew - The missing package manager for macOS

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

VirtualBox - VirtualBox is a powerful x86 and AMD64/Intel64 virtualization product for enterprise as well as...

Glitch - Glitch is the friendly community where everyone builds the web. Simple, powerful interface for creating web apps.

UTM - Run virtual machines on iOS