CodePen vs CodeSandbox: What are the differences?

1. Key Difference 1: Live Preview Option - CodePen offers a live preview option where users can see their code output in real-time without having to open a separate tab or window. CodeSandbox, on the other hand, does not have a native live preview option, and users need to manually refresh the browser to see the updated output.

2. Key Difference 2: Collaboration and Sharing - CodePen allows users to collaborate with others in real-time by sharing a link to their pens, allowing multiple users to work on the same project simultaneously. CodeSandbox also supports collaboration, but it requires users to sign up and create an account before they can share their projects.

3. Key Difference 3: Supported Languages and Frameworks - CodePen supports a wide range of programming languages and frameworks, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Vue, and more. CodeSandbox, on the other hand, mainly focuses on web development and provides support for popular frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.

4. Key Difference 4: Project Organization - CodePen allows users to organize their projects into collections and can create private pens for personal use. CodeSandbox, on the other hand, provides a more structured project organization with the ability to create multiple files within a project and manage dependencies.

5. Key Difference 5: Integrated Development Environment (IDE) - CodePen provides a simple and lightweight IDE with a code editor, preview window, and console for debugging. CodeSandbox, on the other hand, offers a more robust IDE with features like code linting, auto-completion, and integrated terminal, making it more suitable for larger projects and complex development workflows.

6. Key Difference 6: Pricing and Plans - CodePen offers both free and paid subscription plans, with the paid plans offering additional features like asset hosting and collaboration history. CodeSandbox also offers free and paid plans, but the paid plans mainly focus on additional features like team collaboration and advanced exporting options.

In summary, CodePen has a live preview option, supports a wide range of languages and frameworks, offers project organization into collections, provides a simple IDE, and has different pricing plans. CodeSandbox, on the other hand, mainly focuses on web development, offers a more structured project organization, provides a robust IDE, and has different pricing plans mainly focused on additional collaboration features.