Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

CloudShell VS Plunker

Compare CloudShell VS Plunker 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.

Plunker logo Plunker

Plunker is an online community for creating, collaborating on and sharing your web development ideas.
  • CloudShell Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-12
  • Plunker Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-22

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.

Plunker features and specs

  • Easy to Use
    Plunker offers a simple interface which is user-friendly and allows developers to quickly start creating and sharing web projects without a steep learning curve.
  • Collaboration Features
    It supports real-time collaboration, allowing multiple developers to work on the same project simultaneously, which enhances teamwork and productivity.
  • Instant Preview
    Plunker provides instant preview of the projects, enabling developers to see the live results of their code changes immediately, which speeds up the development process.
  • Component Support
    The platform allows the integration and use of various components and libraries, which helps in developing complex applications more efficiently.
  • Community and Resources
    Plunker has an active community that shares a wide variety of resources, templates, and advice, which can be very beneficial for learning and troubleshooting issues.

Possible disadvantages of Plunker

  • Performance Issues
    Some users experience slow performance, especially with larger projects or numerous files, which can hinder development and testing speed.
  • Limited Offline Support
    Plunker primarily requires an internet connection, making it less convenient for offline coding compared to other tools that offer better offline support.
  • Dependency Management
    Managing dependencies can be a bit cumbersome compared to more robust IDEs, which offer integrated package management systems.
  • Lack of Advanced Features
    While great for quick prototyping, Plunker lacks some advanced features present in professional IDEs, such as advanced debugging tools and integrations.
  • Project Organization
    Handling larger projects can be challenging as Plunkerโ€™s interface and features are more oriented towards smaller projects and quick development cycles.

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 Plunker)
Text Editors
66 66%
34% 34
Development
100 100%
0% 0
Programming
0 0%
100% 100
IDE
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, CloudShell seems to be a lot more popular than Plunker. While we know about 13 links to CloudShell, we've tracked only 1 mention of Plunker. 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
View more

Plunker mentions (1)

  • Digital gardens people maintain outside the "Big Tech" walled gardens
    Hacker News is certainly one that I would also put on this list. Other digital gardens I like: https://www.lobste.rs https://www.gnod.com https://plnkr.co. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing CloudShell and Plunker, 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.

CodePen - A front end web development playground.

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

JSFiddle - Test your JavaScript, CSS, HTML or CoffeeScript online with JSFiddle code editor.

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

replit - Code, create, andlearn together. Use our free, collaborative, in-browser IDE to code in 50+ languages โ€” without spending a second on setup.