Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

CloudShell VS Softlayer

Compare CloudShell VS Softlayer 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.

Softlayer logo Softlayer

Softlayer is the cloud computing platform that offers the services of computing, networking, storage security, and application development.
  • CloudShell Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-12
  • Softlayer Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-21

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.

Softlayer features and specs

  • Comprehensive Infrastructure
    SoftLayer offers a wide range of computing resources including dedicated servers, virtual servers, storage solutions, and networking options, allowing businesses to tailor their infrastructure according to their needs.
  • Global Reach
    With data centers and network points of presence (PoPs) across the world, SoftLayer provides global connectivity and redundancy, which is beneficial for enterprises with international operations.
  • Security Features
    SoftLayer provides robust security options, including private network connections, firewalls, and security compliance certifications, ensuring data protection and regulatory compliance.
  • Customizability
    It allows a high level of customization of the hardware and network configurations, which can be tailored to meet specific business needs, providing flexibility in deploying solutions.
  • Hybrid Cloud Capabilities
    SoftLayer's infrastructure can easily integrate with on-premises systems and public clouds, allowing organizations to create a flexible hybrid cloud environment.

Possible disadvantages of Softlayer

  • Complex Pricing Structure
    The pricing structure can be complex and difficult to forecast accurately, especially when services are used extensively, which could lead to cost overruns.
  • Learning Curve
    New users may experience a steep learning curve due to the platform's extensive features and its complex dashboard, which may require significant time and effort to master.
  • Support Challenges
    Some users have reported challenges with customer support, including delays in response times and varying quality of service depending on the issue complexity.
  • Limited PaaS and SaaS Options
    Compared to other cloud providers, SoftLayer has fewer platform as a service (PaaS) and software as a service (SaaS) offerings, which might limit choices for businesses looking for turnkey solutions.
  • Migration Complexity
    Migrating existing systems and applications to SoftLayer can be complex and time-consuming, which may pose challenges for businesses with limited IT resources.

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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Softlayer videos

SoftLayer and Micron RealSSDโ„ข P300

More videos:

  • Review - SoftLayer, an IBM Company Employee Reviews - Q3 2018

Category Popularity

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Text Editors
100 100%
0% 0
Cloud Computing
0 0%
100% 100
Development
100 100%
0% 0
System & Hardware
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare CloudShell and Softlayer

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Softlayer Reviews

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SoftLayer is the last but not least host in this list, it provides managed and dedicated servers alongside cloud computing solutions. IBM acquired it in 2013 and now known as IBM Cloud.
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The contest is well worn on the summit circle yet SoftLayer has proven to be anything but. With the somewhat recent purchase of SoftLayer by IBM in June of 2013, many in the industry speculated if the company would come out alive, if company offerings would change and if the price model for SoftLayer Cloud services would rise to meet corporate margin lines. Well, after...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, CloudShell seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 13 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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Softlayer mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Softlayer yet. Tracking of Softlayer recommendations started around Apr 2022.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing CloudShell and Softlayer, 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.

DigitalOcean - Simplifying cloud hosting. Deploy an SSD cloud server in 55 seconds.

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

Liquidweb - Managed Dedicated Server Hosting, VPS Hosting, Web Hosting & Cloud Servers with Linux or Windows backed by Liquid Web Inc's Heroic Support.

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

Amazon AWS - Amazon Web Services offers reliable, scalable, and inexpensive cloud computing services. Free to join, pay only for what you use.