Top AWS Cloud9 Alternatives for Cloud-Based Development in 2025

The deprecation of AWS Cloud9 has led to a surge in demand for alternative development environments that can provide similar functionality and features. As a result, several options have emerged, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. When evaluating alternatives to AWS Cloud9, it’s essential to consider factors such as security, compliance, automation, and cost efficiency. This requires careful consideration of how each option aligns with your specific needs and future goals.

In this section, we’ll introduce some of the top alternatives to AWS Cloud9, including Gitpod, GitHub Codespaces, and Daytona, and explore their key features and benefits. Gitpod offers a seamless integration with GitHub and GitLab, providing a fully automated, cloud-based development environment. GitHub Codespaces delivers a full Visual Studio Code experience in the browser, with pre-configured environments and native GitHub integration. Daytona, another robust alternative, is designed for enterprises needing high security and compliance standards. It is important to compare these options to make an informed decision that best suits your requirements.

Whether you’re a developer, organization, or enterprise, finding the right development environment is crucial for efficient coding, debugging, and deployment. With the right alternative, you can ensure seamless integration with your existing infrastructure, tools, and workflows, while also maintaining complete control over your development environment.

AWS Cloud9 has been a go-to solution for many developers needing a cloud-based IDE (Integrated Development Environment). Its seamless integration with AWS services makes it a powerful tool, but it’s not always the best fit for everyone. Developers and teams are increasingly exploring AWS Cloud9 alternatives due to factors like pricing, flexibility, user experience, or simply needing a different toolset. AWS's decision to discontinue new customer access to Cloud9 has also prompted organizations to evaluate alternative cloud development environments. In this blog, we’ll explore top Cloud9 alternatives and help you choose the right one for your needs.

What is AWS Cloud9?

AWS Cloud9 is a browser-based IDE from Amazon Web Services. It supports multiple programming languages, includes a built-in terminal, and comes pre-packaged with tools needed for popular languages like JavaScript, Python, and PHP. You can easily install AWS Toolkits into popular IDEs from their respective marketplaces, making it straightforward to leverage AWS features. Being cloud-based, it allows you to code from anywhere and collaborate with others.

Key Features:

• Full-fledged IDE in the cloud
• Built-in terminal with AWS CLI
• Collaboration support
• Direct AWS resource access

AWS is continually investing in maintaining the availability and performance of Cloud9, ensuring users have consistent access and robust functionality. The installation process for various tools and services, such as Gitpod and AWS Toolkits, is streamlined, emphasizing ease of use and efficient setup for developers.

Drawbacks:

• Can be expensive over time
• Tightly coupled with AWS services
• Occasional latency issues
• Limited integrations outside the AWS ecosystem

Why Look for an AWS Cloud9 Alternative?

You might consider switching from AWS Cloud9 for several reasons:

• Pricing: While Cloud9 offers a free tier, it’s tied to AWS EC2 pricing, which can add up.
• AWS Lock-in: Not ideal if you’re working outside the AWS ecosystem.
• User Experience: Some developers prefer lighter or more customizable environments.
• Collaboration: Better real-time features are available in other platforms.
• AI-powered Development: Cloud9 lacks advanced coding assistants found in other modern IDEs.
• Migration: With AWS discontinuing new customer access to Cloud9, it’s crucial to migrate to alternative solutions like AWS IDE Toolkits or AWS CloudShell.

Existing customers can continue using the service as normal despite AWS closing new customer access. AWS continues to support existing customers, although no new features are being added.

Key Features to Look for in an AWS Cloud9 Alternative

Before diving into the alternatives, here are the features to consider:

• Real-time Collaboration: Essential for team-based coding.
• AI Assistance: For faster and smarter development.
• CI/CD and DevOps Integration: To automate builds and deployments, facilitating the build and deployment processes.
• Flexible Pricing Models: Especially important for startups and individuals.
• Environment Configuration: Docker, containers, or custom VM support.
• Offline Support: In case of connectivity issues.
• Solutions for Development Workflows: Tools and platforms like AWS IDE Toolkits and AWS CloudShell that enhance development workflows and maintain operational efficiency. Additionally, the ability to launch development environments like Gitpod and Codespaces directly from the browser is crucial.

Cloud-Based Solutions

Cloud-based solutions have revolutionized the way developers approach coding, offering unparalleled flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. Platforms like AWS Cloud9, GitHub Codespaces, and Gitpod provide developers with access to a wide array of tools and services, all hosted in the cloud. This eliminates the need for extensive local machine configuration and maintenance, allowing developers to concentrate on what they do best: coding.

One of the standout benefits of cloud-based development environments is their robust security features. These platforms offer encryption, access controls, and continuous monitoring to ensure that sensitive data remains protected. For instance, GitHub Codespaces integrates seamlessly with GitHub, providing a secure and collaborative environment for developers. Gitpod, on the other hand, offers automated backups and stringent access controls, ensuring that all data is secure and recoverable.

Moreover, cloud-based solutions facilitate real-time collaboration, enabling developers to work together seamlessly, regardless of their physical location. This is particularly beneficial for distributed teams who need to maintain high levels of productivity and communication.

By adopting cloud-based development environments, organizations can ensure that their developers have the tools they need to succeed, while also benefiting from the inherent security and scalability these solutions offer.

Security and Compliance

Security and compliance are top priorities for any development environment, and alternatives to AWS Cloud9 are no exception. When evaluating a new development environment, it’s essential to consider factors such as data encryption, access controls, and compliance with industry regulations. Organizations can apply their existing security controls and compliance frameworks directly to these services, ensuring seamless integration with current security measures.

Gitpod, for example, provides a self-hosted solution that allows organizations to maintain complete control over their infrastructure and sensitive data. This ensures that all data remains within the organization’s control, reducing the risk of breaches. GitHub Codespaces, on the other hand, offers a cloud-based solution with built-in security features and compliance with industry standards, such as SOC 2 and ISO 27001. This makes it a reliable choice for organizations that prioritize security and compliance. Additionally, tools like Oracle SQL Developer simplify the development and management of databases, offering features for end-to-end development, query execution, and database management.

Daytona, another popular alternative, provides a comprehensive security framework that includes features such as granular permission policies, activity logging, and compliance with rigorous industry regulations. By carefully considering the security and compliance features of each alternative, organizations can ensure that their development environment meets their specific needs and requirements.

Automation and Standardization

Automation and standardization are critical components of any efficient development environment. By automating routine tasks and standardizing workflows, developers can focus on writing code, debugging, and deploying applications, rather than managing infrastructure and tools. Additionally, a configuration file can define not only the environment setup but also the specific dependencies needed, streamlining the process of launching new projects and enhancing the developer experience by ensuring that all necessary components are pre-installed and ready for use.

Gitpod, for example, provides a platform that allows developers to automate the setup and configuration of their development environments, eliminating the need for manual configuration and reducing the risk of errors. This ensures that every developer has a consistent environment, which can significantly improve productivity and reduce onboarding time. By standardizing these environments, Gitpod enhances developer productivity and security, ultimately enabling organizations to innovate more efficiently.

GitHub Codespaces, on the other hand, offers a cloud-based solution that provides pre-configured environments and automated workflows, making it easy to get started with development. This allows developers to quickly spin up new environments and start coding without worrying about setup and configuration.

Daytona, another popular alternative, provides a comprehensive platform that includes features such as automation, standardization, and integration with popular tools and workflows. By leveraging automation and standardization, organizations can improve developer productivity, reduce costs, and increase efficiency.

By focusing on these aspects, the new sections will provide a comprehensive overview of the alternatives, helping readers make informed decisions.

Cost Efficiency

Cost efficiency is a pivotal factor for organizations when selecting development environments. Cloud-based solutions like GitHub Codespaces and Gitpod offer flexible pricing models that cater to a wide range of budgets, making them accessible to both individual developers and large organizations. These platforms often include free tiers, which are particularly beneficial for startups and small teams looking to minimize expenses.

One of the key advantages of these cloud-based solutions is their pay-as-you-go pricing model. This allows organizations to only pay for the resources they actually use, providing better budget predictability and reducing unnecessary expenditures. For example, GitHub Codespaces offers scalable pricing plans that can be tailored to the specific needs of a project, ensuring that costs remain manageable.

Additionally, the high level of automation provided by these platforms reduces the need for manual configuration and maintenance, further cutting down on operational costs. Gitpod, for instance, automates the setup and configuration of development environments, allowing developers to start coding immediately without the usual setup delays.

By choosing cost-efficient cloud-based development environments, organizations can optimize their spending while still providing their developers with powerful and reliable tools.

Top AWS Cloud9 Alternatives

1. DhiWise

Best For: Developers looking for rapid SDLC.

Features:

• Figma-to-code conversion for React, Flutter, iOS, Next.js, React Native, HTML, Android, and Shopify Liquid code.
• Export code directly into your favorite IDE for coding and preview.
• GitHub and GitLab integration.
• AI Coding Assistant for error free code genration.

Why Choose DhiWise? It’s more than an IDE. DhiWise combines design conversion, code intelligence, and Figma synchronization, AI powered requirement generation and project planning making it a solid alternative for Cloud9—especially for teams building modern web and mobile apps.

2. Replit

Best For: Students, indie developers, and collaborative coding.

Features:

• Supports 50+ languages.
• Realtime multiplayer editing.
• AI assistant (Ghostwriter).
• Instantly shareable projects.
• Runs directly in the browser.
• Allows developers to write, run, and debug code directly in the browser.

Pros:

• Highly intuitive and fast.
• Great for education and prototyping.

Cons:

• Limited environment control compared to Cloud9.

3. GitHub Codespaces

Best For: Developers already using GitHub extensively.

Features:

• Full Visual Studio Code experience in the browser.
• Custom DevContainers for consistent environments. Developers can create configuration files like .gitpod.yml and devcontainer.json to define environment settings, dependencies, and configurations.
• Native GitHub integration.
• Prebuilt environments for fast startup.
• Supports custom extensions for a tailored development experience. These environments are accessible both on local desktop machines and through browsers, providing versatility for developers.

Pros:

• Fast, scalable, and secure.
• Seamless GitHub integration.

Cons:

• Requires GitHub subscription for extended usage.

4. JetBrains Space

Best For: Teams looking for a robust development and collaboration suite.

Features:

• Integrated development environments.
• Built-in CI/CD.
• Supports Kotlin, Java, and more.
• Chat, issue tracking, and repository all in one place.
• Centralized management for efficient operations.

Pros:

• Designed for team collaboration.
• Part of JetBrains’ ecosystem.

Cons:

• More complex learning curve.

5. Glitch

Best For: Web app prototyping and small teams.

Features:

• Instant deployment of web apps.
• Live preview and editing.
• Built-in collaboration.

Pros:

• Simple, fast, and fun to use.
• Ideal for JavaScript and Node.js projects.

Cons:

• Not suitable for large-scale apps or complex backend logic.

6. Coder

Best For: Enterprises that want control over infrastructure.

Features:

• Self-hosted and cloud options.
• Secure and scalable environments.
• Docker-based development.
• Facilitates interaction with AWS infrastructure for secure and scalable environments.
• While AWS continues to enhance security, availability, and performance, there are no plans to introduce new features, indicating a shift in focus.

AWS Cloud9 continues to be supported with ongoing investments in security, availability, and performance improvements, ensuring high service quality and meeting developer needs in cloud-based environments.

Pros:

• High customization and control.
• Enterprise-grade security.

Cons:

• Requires DevOps knowledge to set up.

7. Gitpod Overview

Best For: Developers and teams seeking automated, cloud-based development environments with strong security and collaboration features.

Features:

• Automated setup and configuration of development environments.
• Seamless integration with GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket.
• Built-in collaboration tools.
• Secure workspaces with access controls, automated backups, and continuous monitoring.

Pros:

• Consistent and ready-to-code environments reduce onboarding time.
• Enhances productivity through full automation.
• Strong security features for sensitive data.

Cons:

• Requires stable internet for optimal performance.
• Might involve a learning curve for teams new to cloud-based IDEs.

Comparison Table: AWS Cloud9 vs Alternatives

Feature	AWS Cloud9	DhiWise	Replit	Codespaces	JetBrains Space	Glitch	Coder
Real-time Collab	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
AI Assistance	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌	✅
Offline Support	✅	✅	❌	✅	✅	❌	✅
Pricing (Free Tier)	Limited	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
New Features	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Normal Usage	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅

How to Choose the Right AWS Cloud9 Alternative

• Solo Developers: Replit, DhiWise, or GitHub Codespaces. Managed services like Gitpod offer convenience and reduced operational overhead, making them an attractive option for solo developers.
• Small Teams: JetBrains Space or DhiWise for design-to-code efficiency. AWS IDE Toolkits, including plugins for IntelliJ, enable seamless integration and management of AWS services within development environments.
• Enterprise: Coder or GitHub Codespaces. These alternatives cater to the specific needs of enterprise customers by providing solutions that enhance productivity, reduce costs, and improve security.
• On a Budget: Replit and Glitch offer generous free tiers

Final Thoughts

AWS Cloud9 is powerful, but it’s not the only cloud IDE worth considering. Whether you’re after better pricing, richer collaboration features, or more integrations, there’s an alternative that fits your workflow better. DhiWise, in particular, shines if you’re working on modern UI and need fast design-to-code tools alongside cloud-based development.

Explore your options, test them out, and adopt the one that best supports your software development lifecycle. AWS continues to invest in the security, availability, and performance of Cloud9, ensuring it remains a reliable choice for developers.

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