Our take
Pick CodeSandbox if hobbyists who will stay on Free (browser sandboxes + monthly VM credits) while they open a first Excalidraw preview, then Pro at the printed $170/month per workspace when they need more than 5 members / more VM hours — not Replit Core $20 first unless they want that Agent IDE. Pick Replit if founders and students who want an idea → hosted app without a local toolchain. Skip Replit if teams that
Best for
CodeSandbox A browser sandbox you start at a public $
Replit An app in the browser
Free plan
CodeSandbox $0 · never expires (FAQ). Browser Sandboxes do not spend VM credits. Free workspace: 400 monthly credits (Subscriptions). 20 GB storage class on the credits table
Replit $0 · up to 30 hours of chat and 60 projects on the public card
Lowest paid
CodeSandbox Credits $0.01486
Replit Core $20/mo yearly, or $20 monthly
Next step up
CodeSandbox Pro $170/mo
Replit Pro $100/mo yearly
Coding agent
CodeSandbox
Replit Agent composer
Watch out
CodeSandbox VM hours freeze on Free when credits run out
Replit Free Mode is capped
Last checked
CodeSandbox 2026-10-23 · codesandbox.io/pricing
Replit 2026-10-19 · replit.com/pricing
hobbyists who will stay on Free (browser sandboxes + monthly VM credits) while they open a first Excalidraw preview, then Pro at the printed $170/month per workspace when they need more than 5 members / more VM hours — not Replit Core $20 first unless they want that Agent IDE.
Read the CodeSandbox pagefounders and students who want an idea → hosted app without a local toolchain.
Read the Replit page
