Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

CodeSandbox VS Adobe AIR

Compare CodeSandbox VS Adobe AIR and see what are their differences

CodeSandbox logo CodeSandbox

Online playground for React

Adobe AIR logo Adobe AIR

Adobe® AIR® runtime enables developers to package the same code into native apps for Windows and Mac OS desktops, iPhone, iPad, Kindle Fire, Nook Tablet & Android. Buy now.
  • CodeSandbox Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-27
  • Adobe AIR Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-29

CodeSandbox

$ Details
Release Date
2017 January
Startup details
Country
The Netherlands
City
Amsterdam
Founder(s)
Bas Buursma
Employees
1 - 9

Adobe AIR

Pricing URL
-
$ Details
-
Release Date
-

CodeSandbox features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    CodeSandbox offers an intuitive interface that allows developers to quickly start coding without the need for complex setup or configuration.
  • Instant Collaboration
    The platform supports real-time collaboration, enabling multiple developers to work on the same project simultaneously.
  • Pre-configured Environments
    It provides a variety of pre-configured templates for popular frameworks like React, Vue, and Angular, which saves time on setting up development environments.
  • Integrated Development
    CodeSandbox includes built-in terminal access and npm/yarn package management, making it possible to manage dependencies directly within the editor.
  • Live Previews
    Code changes are instantly compiled and displayed, providing immediate feedback with live previews of the application.
  • GitHub Integration
    Seamless integration with GitHub allows importing and exporting repositories, making it easier to manage version control and workflows.
  • Accessibility
    Being a web-based IDE, CodeSandbox can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, enhancing flexibility and mobility.

Possible disadvantages of CodeSandbox

  • Performance Issues
    Some users experience lag and slower performance, particularly with larger projects, compared to local development environments.
  • Limited Customization
    While convenient, the pre-configured environments might limit advanced customization options available in local IDEs.
  • Dependency on Internet
    As an online platform, a stable internet connection is required to use CodeSandbox effectively, which could be a limitation in areas with poor connectivity.
  • Free Tier Limitations
    The free version comes with certain restrictions on resources and functionality, which might not be sufficient for larger or more complex projects.
  • Security Concerns
    Storing code in an online platform can raise security concerns, especially for sensitive or proprietary projects.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its ease of use, developers new to online IDEs might face a learning curve in adapting from traditional, local development environments.

Adobe AIR features and specs

  • Cross-platform compatibility
    Adobe AIR allows developers to build applications that can run on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, from a single codebase.
  • Rich multimedia capabilities
    AIR supports a wide range of multimedia content, including graphics, animations, and video, making it suitable for developing rich Internet applications.
  • Offline functionality
    Applications built with Adobe AIR can operate without an internet connection, providing users with offline access to app features and data.
  • Strong developer community
    Adobe AIR has a large community of developers that can provide support, share resources, and contribute to the framework's ongoing improvement.

Possible disadvantages of Adobe AIR

  • Dependence on runtime
    Applications require the Adobe AIR runtime to be installed on the user's device, which can be a barrier to entry for some users.
  • Performance limitations
    AIR applications may experience performance issues on certain devices when compared to native applications, especially concerning high-demand tasks.
  • Future uncertainty
    Adobe's shifting focus away from AIR in recent years has led to uncertainty regarding the future development and support for the platform.
  • Security concerns
    As with any application runtime environment, there are potential security risks involved with using and maintaining the Adobe AIR runtime.

Analysis of CodeSandbox

Overall verdict

  • Yes, CodeSandbox is a highly regarded tool among developers, especially for quick prototyping and collaborative coding.

Why this product is good

  • Ease of Use: CodeSandbox provides an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it accessible for beginners and efficient for experienced developers.
  • Collaboration: Real-time collaborative features allow multiple developers to work on the same project simultaneously.
  • Integration: It offers seamless integration with popular version control systems like GitHub, making it easy to import/export projects.
  • Environment: Supports a wide range of JavaScript frameworks and libraries, such as React, Vue, and Angular, enabling rapid building of applications.
  • Cloud-Based: Being cloud-based means no setup is required, and projects can be accessed anywhere with an internet connection.

Recommended for

  • Front-end Developers: Suitable for developers who want to quickly build and test front-end applications without local setup.
  • Educators and Students: Ideal for teaching and learning coding due to its collaborative and interactive code editing features.
  • Prototypers: Those looking for a fast way to prototype ideas in a conducive and integrated environment.
  • Open Source Contributors: Simplifies the process of reviewing and testing contributions to open-source projects.

Analysis of Adobe AIR

Overall verdict

  • Adobe AIR can still be a viable option for specific legacy applications or if your project already relies on it. However, for new projects, considering alternatives that are more widely supported and have a larger developer community is recommended. These could include technologies like React Native, Flutter, or Progressive Web Apps (PWAs).

Why this product is good

  • Adobe AIR (Adobe Integrated Runtime) allows developers to create apps that work across multiple platforms, including desktop and mobile. It supports a wide range of development tools and languages, and it's beneficial for projects that require a consistent user experience across different devices. However, its popularity has declined with the rise of more modern web technology stacks, and Adobe officially discontinued support for AIR on December 31, 2020, with Harman taking over its development and distribution.

Recommended for

    Adobe AIR might be recommended for developers maintaining or updating existing AIR applications or those who require a cross-platform runtime with solid multimedia capabilities and happen to have resources familiar with the technology. It is less recommended for new projects, given the industry's shift towards other platforms.

CodeSandbox videos

A browser IDE that's actually GOOD? (CodeSandbox.io Review!)

More videos:

Adobe AIR videos

Adobe AIR is Dead?

More videos:

  • Review - What are Your Favorite Adobe AIR Apps?
  • Review - Top Adobe Air Apps - With MKBHD

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to CodeSandbox and Adobe AIR)
Text Editors
100 100%
0% 0
Developer Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Programming
100 100%
0% 0
App Development
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 CodeSandbox and Adobe AIR

CodeSandbox Reviews

8 Best Replit Alternatives & Competitors in 2022 (Free & Paid) - Software Discover
Codesandbox is an online code editor and prototyping tool that makes creating and sharing web apps faster. Codesandbox: Online code editor and ide for rapid web development.
12 Best Online IDE and Code Editors to Develop Web Applications
CodeSandbox can be thought of as a much more powerful and complete take on JSFiddle. True to its name, CodeSandbox provides a complete code editor experience and a sandboxed environment for front-end development.
Source: geekflare.com

Adobe AIR Reviews

We have no reviews of Adobe AIR yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, CodeSandbox seems to be a lot more popular than Adobe AIR. While we know about 310 links to CodeSandbox, we've tracked only 2 mentions of Adobe AIR. 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.

CodeSandbox mentions (310)

  • How To Install Shadcn UI In React JS
    CodeSandbox Examples: Check out CodeSandbox for live projects using Shadcn UI. It’s a great way to see the toolkit in action. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • Thankful for CodeSandbox
    I am thankful for a platform like CodeSandbox because it allows me to offload majority of the processing power and memory resources to the cloud. With a local VS Code installed, I can tunnel in via a remote connection to work on my projects, tinker, or do a deep-dive on certain topics; all while ensuring that the RPi 4 still has sufficient resources left to run other things in the background. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Some useful .new "shortcut" domains
    To create a new React JS environment in CodeSandbox. Similar domains include js.new, vue.new, etc.,. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • Sonos CEO Patrick Spence steps down after app update debacle
    I have, it's called Visual Studio Code and I ditched my old native editor(s) for it. I'd even suggest that the fact that it's JS based has significantly changed the tech world because the editor itself will run in a browser so it's here https://godbolt.org/ , and here https://codesandbox.io, and here https://www.postman.com/, and here https://aws.amazon.com/pm/cloud9/ and 100s or 1000s of other sites. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • React Native Online Compiler: Compare the Top 5 Platforms for Your Development Needs
    CodeSandbox for web-first collaborative projects. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
View more

Adobe AIR mentions (2)

  • Moved Back to YNAB4
    Tired of supporting the buggy application [see 109 vulnerabilities listed here], Adobe discontinued the product and canceled all support for it in 2020. Another company, HARMAN, purchased the Adobe AIR product line from Adobe and has released their own version of Adobe AIR, which is available for download from their site. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Adobe/brackets: Adobe will end support for Brackets (21 sept. 2021)
    Um....not really. It’s barely a shell of what it was. Flash is no longer supported by browsers. Air is not supported by Adobe. Canvas and Web Gl maybe. https://blog.adobe.com/en/publish/2019/05/30/the-future-of-adobe-air.html#gs.unf6sw https://www.computerworld.com/article/3403345/where-do-browsers-stand-on-flashs-impending-demise.html. - Source: Hacker News / over 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing CodeSandbox and Adobe AIR, you can also consider the following products

CodePen - A front end web development playground.

Xcode - Xcode is Apple’s powerful integrated development environment for creating great apps for Mac, iPhone, and iPad. Xcode 4 includes the Xcode IDE, instruments, iOS Simulator, and the latest Mac OS X and iOS SDKs.

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

Android Studio - Android development environment based on IntelliJ IDEA

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

Firebase - Firebase is a cloud service designed to power real-time, collaborative applications for mobile and web.