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What's the Difference Between AWS Cloud9 and AWS CloudShell?

Compare AWS Cloud9 and AWS CloudShell side by side — features, pricing, and ideal use cases to help you choose the right product.

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Comparisons
AWS Cloud9
AWS CloudShell
Category

Developer Tools, IDE / dev environment

Developer Tools, Shell

Description

Cloud-based integrated development environment (IDE) for writing, running, and debugging code.

Browser-based shell environment pre-authenticated with your console credentials for managing AWS resources.

Best for
  • Cloud development
  • Pair programming
  • Serverless development
  • Teaching
  • Quick CLI access
  • Script execution
  • Resource management
  • Troubleshooting
Key features
  • Browser-based IDE
  • Terminal access
  • Collaborative editing
  • AWS CLI integration
  • Lambda debugging
  • Pre-authenticated
  • Persistent storage
  • Pre-installed tools
  • Multiple shells
  • File upload/download
Pricing model

No additional charge; pay for underlying EC2

No additional charge

Free tier

Yes

Yes

Expert take

“Cloud9 is useful when you need a pre-configured development environment accessible from any browser, or for pair programming with real-time collaboration. The underlying EC2 instance has the AWS CLI and SDKs pre-installed with your IAM credentials available automatically.”
— Riku Kobayashi, re:Post Top Contributor [profile]

“CloudShell gives you a browser-based terminal with the AWS CLI, SDKs, and 1GB persistent storage pre-configured. No local setup needed for quick administrative tasks.”
— Didier Durand, re:Post Top Contributor [profile]

Product page

When to use AWS Cloud9 or AWS CloudShell

Use AWS Cloud9 when:

  • Cloud development
  • Pair programming
  • Serverless development
  • Teaching

Learn more about AWS Cloud9 »

Use AWS CloudShell when:

  • Quick CLI access
  • Script execution
  • Resource management
  • Troubleshooting

Learn more about AWS CloudShell »

AWS product comparisons

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