Liveshare vs Codespaces: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Liveshare and Codespaces comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Liveshare
Real-time collaboration in VS Code
Best for you if:
- • Live Share is a VS Code extension for real-time collaborative editing
- • It enables developers to share their workspace and debug together remotely
Codespaces
Secure cloud development environments native to GitHub, getting you up and coding faster.
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (7.8/10 vs 7.4/10)
- • Provides secure, configurable cloud development environments.
- • Enables instant coding from any device, streamlining onboarding and collaboration.
| At a Glance |  Liveshare |  Codespaces |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | IDE & Code Editors | IDE & Code Editors |
Rating | 74/100 | 78/100 |
| Feature | Liveshare | Codespaces |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 74 | 78 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | IDE & Code EditorsCode Review | IDE & Code EditorsVersion Control |
How Liveshare and Codespaces Compare
Liveshare
Real-time collaboration in VS Code
Free tier available · 74/100 score
Codespaces
Secure cloud development environments native to GitHub, getting you up and coding faster.
Free tier available · 78/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Liveshare
Want the highest-rated option?
Liveshare: 74/100. Codespaces: 78/100.
Go with: Codespaces
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Codespaces
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are ide & code editors tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Codespaces scores higher: 78/100 vs 74/100.
Key Takeaways
Codespaces
- Higher score: 78/100 vs 74
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Liveshare
The Bottom Line
Codespaces (78/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Liveshare or Codespaces better?
Codespaces scores 78/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Liveshare and Codespaces used for?
Liveshare: Real-time collaboration in VS Code. Codespaces: Secure cloud development environments native to GitHub, getting you up and coding faster..
What does Liveshare cost vs Codespaces?
Liveshare is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Codespaces is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.