StackBlitz

Node.js dev environment running natively in the browser via WebContainers

From $0/mo

About StackBlitz

StackBlitz's WebContainers is a breakthrough technology that runs Node.js natively in the browser using WebAssembly, eliminating the latency of cloud-based VMs. This means package installs, builds, and dev servers run locally in the tab — resulting in faster cold starts and better security since code never leaves the browser. The platform powers bolt.new, Stackblitz's AI full-stack app builder, which became viral in 2024. Enterprise teams use StackBlitz for standardized onboarding environments that spin up in seconds via a URL. The VS Code-based editor is polished and supports most extensions. It's particularly strong for Angular, React, and Node.js projects.

Key Features

WebContainers: Node.js running in browser natively

Instant project startup (no server cold start)

VS Code-based editor with extension support

GitHub import and two-way sync

bolt.new AI app builder integration

Offline development capability

Shareable environment URLs

npm package installation in browser

Pros & Cons

Pros

• WebContainers technology gives genuinely faster startup than cloud VMs
• Code runs locally in browser — better privacy and security than server-based IDEs
• bolt.new makes it one of the most capable AI app builders available
• Excellent for Angular documentation and examples (official Angular Docs use it)

Cons

• WebContainers limited to Node.js — Python, Go, Rust not supported
• Heavy browser tab — can slow down systems with limited RAM
• Some npm packages with native binaries don't work in WebContainers
• Less community template variety than CodeSandbox

Best For

Node.js and frontend developers wanting fast environments Teams standardizing development onboarding Developers using bolt.new for AI-assisted app building Framework maintainers creating interactive docs