GitHub Codespaces

Name: GitHub Codespaces
Price: 0.18 USD

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Score9.5

Rank#2 of 136

From$0.07/mo

Free planYes

Runs onAndroid, API, Browser extension, iOS, Linux, macOS, Web, Windows

Summary

GitHub Codespaces provides configured cloud development environments hosted by GitHub. Each codespace runs in a Docker container on a GitHub-hosted virtual machine, with machine options from 2 cores, 8 GB RAM, and 32 GB storage to 32 cores, 128 GB RAM, and 128 GB storage. Repository dev container files can define a repeatable environment, and a codespace can start from a template or a repository branch or commit. Connect through a browser, Visual Studio Code, or GitHub CLI from any internet-connected device, including an iPad. A Codespaces extension can also connect a GitHub account to local Visual Studio Code. Each codespace gets its own virtual machine and isolated network; connections use a TLS-encrypted tunnel and GitHub authentication, while forwarded ports are private by default. GitHub Free personal accounts include 120 compute hours and 15 GB-month of storage, and GitHub Pro includes 180 hours and 20 GB-month. Usage is billed monthly, with 2-core compute at $0.18 per hour and storage at $0.07 per GB-month. Codespaces cannot be self-hosted and is unavailable for repositories owned by managed user accounts.

Who it is for

Codespaces suits developers who want a repository-configured cloud workspace accessible through a browser, Visual Studio Code, or GitHub CLI. It may also fit teams seeking isolated environments and controls for repository access and spending.

What is good

Connects through a browser, VS Code, or GitHub CLI.
Supports devices including iPad.
Dev container files define repeatable environments.
Forwarded ports are private by default.

What to know first

Cannot be self-hosted.
Unavailable for repositories owned by managed user accounts.
Usage beyond included quotas is billed monthly.

Verdict

Codespaces pairs repository-defined environments with GitHub-hosted virtual machines and multiple connection options. Check the included compute and storage allowances, as well as the managed-account restriction, before planning usage.

GitHub Codespaces plans and pricing

All plans

2-core compute $0.18/mo Usage is billed monthly. 2-core machine docs.github.com · 22 Sept 2026

4-core compute $0.36/mo Usage is billed monthly. 4-core machine docs.github.com · 22 Sept 2026

8-core compute $0.72/mo Usage is billed monthly. 8-core machine docs.github.com · 22 Sept 2026

16-core compute $1.44/mo Usage is billed monthly. 16-core machine docs.github.com · 22 Sept 2026

32-core compute $2.88/mo Usage is billed monthly. 32-core machine docs.github.com · 22 Sept 2026

Codespaces storage $0.07/mo Usage is billed monthly. Storage for codespaces and prebuilds docs.github.com · 22 Sept 2026

Compared on coding playgrounds

Free plan: Yesgithub.com
Paid from: $10/user/mogithub.com
Agent mode: Yesgithub.com

Facts

Purpose: Codespaces provides configured cloud development environments hosted by GitHub.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
Cloud-hosted runtime: Each codespace runs in a Docker container on a GitHub-hosted virtual machine, with machine types from 2 cores, 8 GB RAM, and 32 GB storage up to 32 cores, 128 GB RAM, and 128 GB storage.docs.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
Configuration: Repository dev container configuration files let projects define repeatable development environments for users.docs.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
Access: Users can connect through a browser, Visual Studio Code, or GitHub CLI.docs.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
Device support: Codespaces can be started from any device with internet access, including an iPad.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
Entry points: A codespace can be created from a template or from any branch or commit in a repository.docs.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
Integrations: The GitHub Codespaces extension connects a GitHub account to develop directly in a local Visual Studio Code installation.docs.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
Security isolation: Each codespace uses its own newly built virtual machine and isolated virtual network, and is deployed to a new VM when restarted.docs.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
Authentication: Codespace connections use a TLS-encrypted tunnel and GitHub authentication, and each codespace receives a new GitHub token when created or restarted.docs.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
Port forwarding: Forwarded ports are private by default, and organization owners can restrict public or organization-wide port visibility.docs.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
Organization controls: Organizations can choose which repositories and users have access to Codespaces and can set spending limits.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
Usage limits: GitHub Free personal accounts include 120 compute hours and 15 GB-month of storage, while GitHub Pro includes 180 hours and 20 GB-month.docs.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
Managed accounts: Codespaces is not available for repositories owned by managed user accounts.docs.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
Self hosting: GitHub states that Codespaces cannot be self-hosted.github.com · 28 Sept 2026