Codespaces Reviews

Name: Codespaces
Brand: GitHub
Rating: 4.3 (4 reviews)

Vendor: GitHub

4.3 out of 5

4 reviews
100% willing to recommend

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What is Codespaces?

Your instant dev environment
Get the full Visual Studio Code experience without leaving GitHub.

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Codespaces is the #1 ranked solution in top IDE solutions and #5 ranked solution in top Development Platforms. PeerSpot users give Codespaces an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. Codespaces is most commonly compared to AWS Cloud9: Codespaces vs AWS Cloud9. Codespaces is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 61% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 14% of all views.

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January 2025

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Featured reviews

Yshay Yaacobi

Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer at Livecycle

We use Codespaces as a remote working environment as it provides a consistent working environment and compatibility across devices. Initially, I started using it because I was working on an Apple Silicon device, and my tools weren't compatible with that architecture. The remote environment offered…

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Bertin Fonge

Data Analyst and Developer at Bridge Labs

Codespaces help increase the efficiency in coding with the AI features The product allows us to implement feature-related changes or improvements on time. Whenever I write a section of the code or create a new code, it automatically integrates with the former code. It helps me remember what I am…

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ChrisDaly

Senior Solution Architect at Teras Solutions Limited

The coding experience because of GitHub integration is going to be largely the same because GitHub is a standardized platform. All the developers know they like it, and that's why it's popular. They wanted the enterprise to have an offering that integrates with user accounts with Active Directory. If they onboard a developer as a contractor or just from a vendor perspective or somebody internal, and if that person leaves, code doesn't leave with them. They're not taking it on their own GitHub subscription and then uploading it. It also gives us the extra security of controlling the code that we own. The setup has nothing to do with the GitHub function in and of itself. It's integrating it with identity providers, in Active Directory, and single sign-on and multifactor authentication. Those were some challenges, but the GitHub experience is good. It's just a matter of locking down the subscription and deployment according to the security group requirements. Codespaces handles large projects or high-complexity applications very well. It hasn't gone live yet, so I can't vouch for that in this organization. Based on what I know of the structure of it, it's top-notch. Based on what I've seen in the setup, it seems like GitHub is able to handle complex projects and large deployments. The solution is deployed in the cloud. The solution's infrastructure's maintained by GitHub, and we just maintain the repository. I would recommend Codespaces to other users. Overall, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.

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Codespaces mindshare

Product category:

As of February 2025, the mindshare of Codespaces in the IDE category stands at 26.9%, down from 34.7% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

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Key learnings from peers

Last updated Nov 26, 2024

Valuable Features

Codespaces offers timely feature-related changes, seamless code integration, and repository support for collaboration. Users appreciate Copilot, Advanced Security, and quick environment setup. The integration with Visual Studio Code delivers an efficient, local-like user experience. Pricing aligns with resource optimization.

"The integration with Visual Studio Code offers a good and fast user experience that feels like a local experience."
"The developer experience is consistent, and its pricing makes sense since it optimizes the resources."
"The most valuable features of the solution are Copilot and Advanced Security."

Room for Improvement

Users mention that Codespaces often experiences slow startup times and frequent connectivity issues. They also highlight the high costs associated with using it for long-term projects. Some users find the editor lacks customization options and essential integrations. Others note that the performance can be inconsistent, especially when handling larger codebases. Additionally, there are concerns about limited support for certain extensions.

"The main issue is related to state preservation on a disconnection. When I close the laptop and open it in a different place, the state of the environment disappears, and I need to rerun several commands."
"When I close the laptop and open it in a different place, the state of the environment disappears, and I need to rerun several commands. This context switch affects productivity."
"The technical support could respond faster."

ROI

Using Codespaces resulted in significant cost savings and increased development speed. Teams experienced improved collaboration and seamless onboarding. Developers appreciated the reduction in setup time, leading to enhanced productivity. Reduced infrastructure overhead contributed to positive financial outcomes. Enhanced code security and reliable performance proved beneficial. The overall impact was an effective boost to efficiency and profitability.

Pricing

Codespaces offers flexible pricing based on usage, including pay-as-you-go and subscription options. Users report satisfaction with pricing transparency and value for money. For enterprises, the solution provides scalability and customization with manageable costs. Many enterprise users find it cost-effective compared to alternative development environments. Pricing structures adapt to various team sizes and project needs.

"From what I've seen, the solution doesn't seem like it's overly expensive for what you get."
"I am using the product’s free version."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily use Codespaces for rapid, cloud-based development environments. It allows teams to collaborate effortlessly on code, reducing setup times and ensuring consistent configurations. Users appreciate its ability to streamline workflows, integrate seamlessly with existing tools, and enhance coding productivity. Codespaces provides a robust platform for testing, debugging, and deploying applications, making it essential for software development projects.

Service and Support

Users find Codespaces' customer service prompt and reliable. They appreciate the responsiveness of the support team, noting that issues get resolved quickly. Many commend the knowledgeable and helpful staff. Some users highlight the availability of detailed documentation and helpful resources. Users occasionally mention the need for extended support hours but generally express satisfaction with the assistance provided.

Deployment

Users found Codespaces' initial setup straightforward, with deployment completed on the cloud in five minutes after installing an AWS plug-in on an IDE. Experienced users appreciated its ease and rated it eight out of ten. Some junior developers initially faced challenges but acknowledged it becomes simpler with familiarity. Those already using Docker and similar technologies considered its setup uncomplicated. It is recognized as an easy-to-use tool benefiting from complementary technology familiarity.

Scalability

Users find Codespaces highly scalable, allowing seamless expansion as demands grow. It's praised for efficiently handling large projects and multiple environments without performance degradation. Users appreciate its ability to streamline workflows and integrations with other tools. They highlight its capacity to support simultaneous users and diverse tasks. Its infrastructure adaptability and resource allocation flexibility also earn positive remarks, enhancing productivity and efficiency in extensive development projects.

Stability

Users highlight Codespaces for its reliability and consistent performance. They appreciate its ability to handle large projects smoothly without frequent crashes. It seamlessly integrates with existing workflows, ensuring minimal disruptions. Users commend its efficient resource usage and quick startup times. They find it easy to set up and maintain, enhancing productivity significantly. Despite occasional minor bugs, Codespaces is praised for its robustness in various development environments.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our IDE Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

14%

Financial Services Firm

13%

Manufacturing Company

Educational Organization

Government

University

Comms Service Provider

Healthcare Company

Media Company

Retailer

Energy/Utilities Company

Insurance Company

Construction Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Pharma/Biotech Company

Non Profit

Consumer Goods Company

Hospitality Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Marketing Services Firm

Legal Firm

Logistics Company

Performing Arts

Engineering Company

Transportation Company

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Learn more about Codespaces

Code without compromise
Code, build, test, debug, and deploy with a complete development environment in your browser.

Simplify your workflow
Automatically set up dependencies and SSH keys. Go from code to commit faster on any project.

Extend and customize
Configure your editor with dotfiles and VS Code extensions to create a consistent environment in every codespace.

Develop from anywhere, anytime
With your development in the cloud, you can contribute code from any device, using VS Code or your browser.

Dependencies, decluttered
Contribute to projects without complicating your local setup. Spin up dev environments with a click—even for projects you haven't worked on before—and switch between them with ease.