Software Alternatives & Startups

CloudShell VS Vesktop

Compare CloudShell VS Vesktop and see what are their differences

CloudShell

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

Rating
0 reviews
Vesktop

Vesktop is a custom Discord App aiming to give you better performance and improve linux support - Vencord/Vesktop

Rating
0 reviews
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, CloudShell seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 13 times since March 2021.

social mentions
13 vs 0
Text Editors popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
155 vs 27

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

CloudShell
Vesktop
Website docs.cloud.google.com github.com
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

CloudShell 7 features
Vesktop 5 features
  • 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

  • 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.
  • Enhanced Privacy and Performance
    Vesktop is a standalone desktop application that doesn't rely on the official Discord Electron client. It uses a more lightweight approach, often resulting in better performance and reduced resource usage compared to the standard Discord desktop app.
  • Built-in Vencord Integration
    Vesktop comes with Vencord pre-installed, giving users immediate access to a rich ecosystem of plugins, themes, and customization options without needing to manually patch the Discord client.
  • Screen Sharing with Audio on Linux
    One of Vesktop's standout features is native support for screen sharing with audio on Linux, which is a long-standing limitation of the official Discord client on that platform. This makes it especially valuable for Linux users.
  • Open Source and Transparent
    Vesktop is fully open source, allowing the community to audit the code, contribute improvements, and verify that no malicious or unwanted behavior is present. This fosters trust and community-driven development.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Vesktop supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing a consistent and enhanced Discord experience across all major desktop operating systems.

Possible disadvantages

  • Violation of Discord's Terms of Service
    Using Vesktop and Vencord involves client modification, which is against Discord's Terms of Service. This means users risk account suspension or termination, although enforcement has historically been rare.
  • Potential Stability Issues
    Since Vesktop is an unofficial third-party client, it may experience bugs, crashes, or compatibility issues that don't exist in the official Discord app, especially after Discord pushes updates that change their internal APIs.
  • Delayed Feature Parity
    When Discord introduces new features or UI changes, Vesktop may take time to catch up or adapt, leaving users temporarily without access to the latest official functionality.
  • Smaller Community and Support
    Compared to the official Discord client, Vesktop has a much smaller user base and support network. Users may find it harder to get help with issues, and documentation may be less comprehensive.
  • Security Risks from Third-Party Plugins
    While Vencord's core plugins are reviewed, the ecosystem of community plugins can introduce security risks. Users who install unvetted plugins could potentially expose their accounts or systems to vulnerabilities.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

CloudShell
Vesktop

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

Overall verdict

  • Vesktop is a well-regarded, community-built alternative Discord desktop client that combines Vencord's client-side mods with better performance and Linux support, making it a solid choice for users seeking a lighter, more customizable experience.

Why this product is good

  • It's a lightweight, faster alternative to the official Discord client, using less memory and resources.
  • It comes with Vencord preinstalled, offering built-in plugins, themes, and quality-of-life customizations.
  • It has significantly better Linux support, including proper screen sharing with audio (a common pain point with official Discord on Linux).
  • It's free and open source, giving transparency and community-driven development.
  • It respects privacy better by stripping out some of Discord's telemetry through Vencord.

Recommended for

  • Linux users who want reliable screen sharing with audio
  • Users who want a lighter, more performant Discord client
  • People who enjoy customizing their Discord experience with themes and plugins
  • Privacy-conscious users looking to reduce telemetry
  • Open-source enthusiasts who prefer community-maintained software

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

CloudShell 0 videos + Add
Vesktop 1 video + Add

No CloudShell videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

HOW to INSTALL VENCORD CLIENT | Vesktop: BetterDiscord Alternative

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
CloudShell
Vesktop
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using CloudShell and Vesktop. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

CloudShell 13 mentions
Vesktop 0 mentions
  • 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... - Source: dev.to / over 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... - 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... - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago

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Tracking Vesktop since Apr 2026.

Alternatives to CloudShell and Vesktop

When comparing CloudShell and Vesktop, you can also consider the following products.