CodeSandbox
Free, instant, collaborative sandboxes for rapid web development.
VS Code
Microsoft Visual Studio Code lets you build and debug apps
Updated February 2026
| CodeSandbox | VS Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5.0★ | 4.9★ |
| Reviews | 10 | 218 |
| Pros | 8 | 14 |
| FactScore™ | 52.1 | 114.4 |
FactScore™ Comparison
FactScore™ weighs both quality (rating) and popularity (reviews) for a fairer ranking than stars alone.
Pros & Cons
Only in CodeSandbox — Pros
Sandpack library Browser-based development Code sharing Live code editing No setup required Responsive support teamBoth tools — Pros
Fast performance Open sourceOnly in VS Code — Pros
Extensive extension library Lightweight Community plugins Customizable interface Git integration Free tier Debugging tools IntelliSense AI autocomplete Cross-platform Integrated terminal Context awareOnly in CodeSandbox — Cons
Buggy Read-only limitationsBoth tools — Cons
—Only in VS Code — Cons
High memory usage AI autocomplete Complex setup Debugging tools Integrated terminal Proprietary Slow performanceDetails
| CodeSandbox | VS Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Categories | Team collaboration software, Code editors, Cloud Computing Platforms | Code editors |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Became Popular | June 12, 2017 | April 29, 2015 |
| Website | codesandbox.io | code.visualstudio.com |
Who Should Pick Which?
Choose CodeSandbox if...
- Sandpack library
- Browser-based development
- Code sharing
Choose VS Code if...
- Extensive extension library
- Lightweight
- Community plugins
With a FactScore™ of 52.1 vs 114.4, VS Code leads in community reception. CodeSandbox uniquely offers Sandpack library and Browser-based development, while VS Code stands out for Extensive extension library and Lightweight.
What Users Say
CodeSandbox
The most crucial feature in Sketch2App is previewing and exporting the generated app and this wouldn't be possible without the Sandpack library recently launched by CodeSandbox team.
Live code, real fast! CodeSandbox powers our file uploader demos, giving users a seamless hands-on experience without setup hassle. Perfect for showcasing live examples 💻⚡
Their SDK was key to powering our live previews and micro VMs, helped us move fast with a super responsive team behind it
VS Code
Visual Studio Code was the backbone of YT Speed Controller's development. Its powerful JavaScript editing capabilities, extension ecosystem, and integrated terminal made coding efficient and enjoya...
free and compatible with many OS. Execute fast on the computer. with nice plugin such as live server and Github copilot, that I use all the time. I Also like the design, autosave feature, code clea...
Great support for TypeScript, but also great extensions for languages like Go and Rust. I like that it's lightweight from the start, and you can make the editor more full-featured with extensions, ...
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, CodeSandbox or VS Code?
Based on FactScore™, VS Code leads with a score of 114.4 vs 52.1. VS Code has a higher rating of 4.9★ compared to 5.0★.
What are the pros of CodeSandbox compared to VS Code?
CodeSandbox uniquely offers: Sandpack library, Browser-based development, Code sharing, Live code editing, No setup required.
What are the pros of VS Code compared to CodeSandbox?
VS Code uniquely offers: Extensive extension library, Lightweight, Community plugins, Customizable interface, Git integration.
Is CodeSandbox better rated than VS Code?
CodeSandbox is rated 5.0★ from 10 reviews. VS Code is rated 4.9★ from 218 reviews.
What is the FactScore™ of CodeSandbox and VS Code?
FactScore™ weighs rating and review volume together. CodeSandbox scores 52.1 and VS Code scores 114.4.
Don't Get Fooled by Fake Social Media Videos
The world's first fact checker for social media. Paste any link and get an instant credibility score with sources.
Try FactCheckTool Free