Comparing Lightly IDE vs AWS Cloud9: Which is your choice?
Published: 2023-06-15 17:05:19

Lightly IDE and AWS Cloud9 are two popular Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) that developers use to write, test, and debug code. Lightly IDE is a lightweight and user-friendly IDE that is designed for beginners and offers a simple user interface. It supports multiple programming languages, including Python, Java, and C++.

AWS Cloud9, on the other hand, is an [online IDE](https://www.lightly-dev.com/) that runs in a web browser and is integrated with the Amazon Web Services (AWS) platform. It offers a more powerful set of features, including code collaboration, remote development, and support for multiple environments.

In this article, we will compare these two IDEs and determine which one is the better choice for developers.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/sj2nnalelbxcwb5jh8c3.png)

## What is an IDE?
An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is a software application that provides comprehensive facilities to computer programmers for software development. It includes a text editor, a compiler or interpreter, and a debugger all in one application. Programmers use IDEs to write, test, and debug code more efficiently than using separate tools or command-line interfaces.

Cloud IDEs, as opposed to typical IDEs that are installed on a local computer, are hosted on remote servers that are accessible through the internet. Developers can use a [cloud IDE](https://www.lightly-dev.com/blog/best-cloud-ide-choices/) to write, edit, debug, and collaborate on code from any location with an internet connection. It offers a centralized workspace that can be accessed from any device, making it a great solution for remote teams or developers working on many devices.

A powerful and user-friendly Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is essential for developers to effectively write, test, and debug code. The right IDE can significantly improve productivity and efficiency, allowing developers to focus on writing high-quality code.

Choosing the wrong IDE can lead to frustration, wasted time, and decreased productivity. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the available options and choose the IDE that best suits your needs and workflows. In this article, we will compare two popular IDEs, Lightly IDE and AWS Cloud9, to help you make an informed decision.

## Lightly IDE
Lightly IDE is a [cloud-based development environment](https://www.lightly-dev.com/blog/what-is-cloud-development-environment/) that provides a powerful and flexible platform for coding and collaboration. Besides its web platform, Lightly IDE is also available on iPad (and coming soon for Android devices!)

Lightly IDE supports a wide range of programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, C, C++, Java, PHP, and Ruby. It also supports different frameworks, as well as seamless integration with popular version control systems.

Lightly IDE makes it easy for developers to work on their projects from anywhere. With its intuitive interface and flexible pricing plans, Lightly IDE is an excellent choice for developers looking for an efficient and cost-effective Cloud IDE.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/b8yse7mgz745x1n0wmul.png)

Lightly IDE Pros
1. Cross-platform friendly: Lightly IDE is a cloud-based development environment, which means that developers can access their projects from anywhere with an internet connection.
2. Flexibility: Lightly IDE supports a wide range of programming languages and frameworks, making it a versatile platform for a variety of development projects.
3. Collaboration: Lightly IDE makes it easy for developers to collaborate on projects with its seamless integration with popular version control systems like Git.
4. Intuitive interface: Lightly IDE's user interface is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, making it easy for developers to navigate and use.
5. Cost-effective: Lightly IDE offers flexible pricing plans that allow developers to pay for only the features and resources they need, making it a cost-effective option for small teams or individual developers.

Lightly IDE Cons
1. Internet connectivity: As a cloud-based platform, Lightly IDE requires a stable internet connection to function properly. Developers working in areas with limited or unreliable internet connectivity may encounter challenges.
2. Limited customization: Lightly IDE's preconfigured environment may not allow for as much customization as local development environments.
3. Storage limitations: Lightly IDE's storage capacity may be limited compared to local development environments, which may pose challenges for larger projects or those with significant storage needs.

## AWS Cloud9
AWS Cloud9 is a cloud-based integrated development environment (IDE) that offers a comprehensive and flexible platform for coding and collaboration. With its web-based interface, AWS Cloud9 provides developers with a seamless coding experience and is accessible from anywhere, anytime.

Supporting a wide range of programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, C, C++, Java, PHP, and Ruby, AWS Cloud9 caters to diverse development needs. It also integrates effortlessly with popular version control systems, enabling smooth collaboration among team members.

Developers can take advantage of AWS Cloud9's intuitive interface, designed to be user-friendly and efficient. Its feature-rich environment facilitates coding, debugging, and testing, empowering developers to build high-quality applications with ease.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/6ib2csxyo159169edoqh.png)

AWS Cloud9 offers several advantages:
1. Cross-platform accessibility: Being cloud-based, AWS Cloud9 allows developers to access their projects from any device with an internet connection, ensuring flexibility and productivity.
2. Versatility: Supporting multiple programming languages and frameworks, AWS Cloud9 is a versatile IDE suitable for various types of projects, from web development to machine learning.
3. Seamless collaboration: With seamless integration with version control systems like Git, AWS Cloud9 simplifies teamwork by enabling efficient code sharing, reviewing, and merging.
4. Intuitive and productive interface: The user interface of AWS Cloud9 is designed to streamline the development workflow, providing a smooth and productive coding experience.
5. Scalable and cost-effective: AWS Cloud9 offers scalable resources, allowing developers to adjust their environment's capacity as needed. Its pay-as-you-go pricing model ensures cost-effectiveness and flexibility for teams of all sizes.

However, there are a few considerations when using AWS Cloud9:
1. Internet dependency: Since AWS Cloud9 operates in the cloud, a stable internet connection is required to access and work on projects. Limited or unreliable connectivity may hinder productivity.
2. Customization limitations: While AWS Cloud9 provides a comprehensive preconfigured environment, it may have some limitations compared to locally hosted IDEs, restricting certain customization options.
3. Storage constraints: The storage capacity of AWS Cloud9 may be limited, particularly for larger projects or those with extensive storage requirements. Consider additional storage solutions for such cases.

## Comparison between Lightly IDE and AWS Cloud9
Lightly IDE and AWS Cloud9 are both cloud-based integrated development environments (IDEs) that provide powerful platforms for coding and collaboration. While they share similarities in their cloud-based nature and support for multiple programming languages, there are some differences worth considering when comparing the two:

### Ease of Access: Lightly IDE vs AWS Cloud9
Lightly IDE provides developers with a versatile and accessible platform for coding and collaboration. It offers a web-based platform that can be accessed from any device with internet connectivity. Whether developers prefer working on their desktop computers, laptops, or even on the go with their iPads, Lightly IDE ensures that they can seamlessly access and work on their projects. The forthcoming Android support will further expand the reach of Lightly IDE, catering to a wider range of devices and operating systems. This flexibility in accessibility allows developers to maintain their productivity and continue their work from different devices, providing convenience and adaptability to their coding process.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/euhb0ldx9kdvd7vk8nkk.png)

On the other hand, AWS Cloud9 offers developers a cloud-based development environment that can be accessed through a web browser. This means that developers can work on their projects from any device with internet access, whether it's a desktop computer, a laptop, or even a tablet. The web-based nature of AWS Cloud9 eliminates the need for installing and configuring development tools locally, making it easy for developers to quickly jump into their projects without any setup hassles. This accessibility empowers developers to work on their projects from any location, fostering a flexible and mobile coding environment.

### Language and Framework Support: Lightly IDE vs AWS Cloud9
Lightly IDE stands out for its extensive language support, accommodating a wide range of programming languages. Developers using Lightly IDE can leverage their skills in popular languages such as Python, JavaScript, C, C++, Java, PHP, and Ruby. This diverse language support makes Lightly IDE a versatile platform suitable for a variety of development projects. Whether developers are working on web development, data analysis, or backend programming, Lightly IDE ensures that they have the necessary tools and language support to effectively tackle their coding tasks.

Similarly, AWS Cloud9 also offers robust language support, catering to the needs of developers in various domains. It supports a comprehensive set of programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, C, C++, Java, PHP, and Ruby. This wide range of language support allows developers to work on projects using their preferred programming languages and take advantage of the rich ecosystem of libraries and frameworks available for each language.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/d31za0d115vxfyn1vjgw.png)

Moreover, both Lightly IDE and AWS Cloud9 go beyond language support and extend their compatibility to different frameworks. This means that developers can seamlessly integrate their projects with popular frameworks specific to their development requirements. Whether it's Django for Python web development, Node.js for JavaScript applications, or Laravel for PHP projects, both IDEs ensure compatibility with diverse frameworks. This flexibility empowers developers to work with the tools and frameworks they are most comfortable with, optimizing their productivity and enabling them to create robust and efficient applications.

### Collaboration: Lightly IDE vs AWS Cloud9
Collaboration is a key aspect of modern software development, and both Lightly IDE and AWS Cloud9 recognize its importance by offering built-in collaboration features.

Lightly IDE prioritizes collaboration by seamlessly integrating with popular version control systems like Git. This integration allows developers to easily manage their codebase, track changes, and collaborate with team members. Developers can invite team members to their projects and grant them access to the codebase, facilitating smooth collaboration. Moreover, Lightly IDE goes a step further by offering built-in collaboration features that enable users to invite team members into their projects and share code snapshots. This functionality streamlines code sharing and encourages effective collaboration among team members, boosting productivity and promoting a seamless workflow.

Similarly, AWS Cloud9 provides developers with powerful built-in collaboration features. With shared workspaces, developers can collaborate in real-time, allowing multiple team members to simultaneously edit, review, and debug code. This real-time collaboration capability eliminates the need for cumbersome back-and-forth exchanges and enables efficient teamwork. By providing a collaborative environment, AWS Cloud9 fosters effective communication and collaboration among team members, ensuring a cohesive and streamlined development process.

### User Interface: Lightly IDE vs AWS Cloud9
Both Lightly IDE and AWS Cloud9 prioritize the user experience by offering intuitive user interfaces that aim to enhance developers' productivity and streamline their coding experience.

Lightly IDE takes pride in its user-friendly interface that is designed with simplicity and ease of use in mind. The interface is intuitively designed, allowing developers to navigate through the IDE effortlessly. The goal is to minimize distractions and provide a clean coding environment that promotes focus and efficiency. By offering an intuitive user interface, Lightly IDE enables developers to quickly adapt to the platform and start coding without any unnecessary learning curve. This streamlined experience ultimately enhances productivity and allows developers to focus on their code and project tasks.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/4d14htps0txy3pbh5w9g.png)

Similarly, AWS Cloud9 offers an intuitive user interface that simplifies the development workflow. It provides features such as split panes, allowing developers to view and edit multiple files side by side. Customizable layouts enable developers to arrange their workspace according to their preferences, optimizing their efficiency. Additionally, AWS Cloud9 integrates debugging tools seamlessly into the interface, facilitating the identification and resolution of code errors. By combining these intuitive interface elements, AWS Cloud9 ensures that developers have a smooth and efficient coding experience, promoting productivity and enabling them to concentrate on writing high-quality code.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/bcea2lzmnuot5xa6or28.png)


### Pricing and Scalability: Lightly IDE vs AWS Cloud9
Lightly IDE offers flexible pricing plans that allow developers to choose and pay for the specific features and resources they require. This flexibility ensures that developers have the freedom to customize their subscription according to their needs, avoiding unnecessary expenses. This makes Lightly IDE an attractive option, especially for small teams or individual developers who may have specific budget constraints. The ability to tailor the pricing plan to the required resources and features enables developers to optimize their costs while still benefiting from the comprehensive development environment provided by Lightly IDE.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/eiou1lrojiwdquw09vv4.png)


AWS Cloud9 operates on a pay-as-you-go pricing model, allowing developers to pay only for the resources they use. This scalability ensures that developers can adjust the capacity of their environment as needed, ensuring optimal resource utilization and cost-effectiveness. With this pricing model, developers can easily scale up or down based on the demands of their projects, avoiding unnecessary costs during periods of lower development activity. This flexibility makes AWS Cloud9 a viable option for teams of different sizes, accommodating their varying resource requirements and providing cost-effective solutions.

## How to Choose between Lightly IDE and AWS Cloud9
When deciding between Lightly IDE and AWS Cloud9, it's crucial to assess your specific use case and individual requirements. Consider the following factors to make an informed decision:

If you are an individual developer or part of a small team working on relatively simple web development projects, Lightly IDE may be the more suitable option. Its user-friendly and intuitive interface makes it easy to navigate, while supporting a wide range of programming languages and frameworks. Lightly IDE's emphasis on accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and collaboration features make it a practical choice for those seeking a straightforward development environment.

On the other hand, if you are part of a larger team working on complex projects, AWS Cloud9 may provide the advanced features and scalability required. With its seamless integration with other AWS tools and services, AWS Cloud9 offers a powerful IDE for collaborative development. Its built-in collaboration features, real-time editing, and debugging capabilities foster effective teamwork and enhance productivity. Additionally, the flexibility of the pay-as-you-go pricing model allows you to scale resources based on project needs, making it suitable for dynamic development environments.

To make the best decision, carefully evaluate your needs, project complexity, team size, and desired features. Consider factors such as language support, collaboration requirements, customization options, and pricing models. It may also be beneficial to experiment with trial versions or take advantage of free tiers offered by both IDEs to gain hands-on experience and determine which one aligns better with your workflow and development goals.

Read more: [How to Choose between Lightly IDE and AWS Cloud9](https://www.lightly-dev.com/blog/lightly-ide-vs-aws-cloud9/)