StackBlitz Guide (2026): Features, Limits, Pricing and Alternatives

Key Takeaways

• StackBlitz runs Node.js in the browser through WebContainers, a WebAssembly-based runtime. Code runs on your machine, not on a remote server.
• It is built for the JavaScript ecosystem: Node.js, npm and frameworks such as React, Vue, Angular, Svelte, Next.js and Vite. It does not run PHP, Python or Java, or databases that need a native server binary.
• Open any public GitHub repo by visiting stackblitz.com/github/{user}/{repo}.
• Plans: Personal $0, Pro $18/month billed annually ($25 monthly), Teams $55 per member per month billed annually ($60 monthly, up to 10 members), and Enterprise for larger or self-hosted setups.
• Chrome and other Chromium browsers have full support. Firefox and Safari 16.4+ are in beta.

What is StackBlitz?

StackBlitz describes itself as an instant full-stack web IDE for the JavaScript ecosystem. You open a URL, and within seconds you have an editor, a terminal and a running dev server with a live preview. There is no virtual machine to provision and no local setup.

That makes it useful for a few specific jobs: reproducing bugs for open-source maintainers, trying a framework or library, sharing a runnable example in documentation or a blog post, reviewing a pull request with the app actually running, and teaching or interviewing without asking people to install a toolchain.

How WebContainers work

Most cloud IDEs run your code on a remote server and stream the result to you. StackBlitz does it the other way round. WebContainers are a WebAssembly-based operating system that boots Node.js inside your browser tab. When you run npm install or npm run dev, it happens locally in the browser's sandbox.

This has practical consequences:

• Fast start: there is no server to spin up, so projects open quickly.
• Works offline: once a project has loaded, StackBlitz's docs say it keeps working without a connection.
• Browser security model: code runs inside the browser sandbox rather than on your operating system.
• Familiar debugging: you can debug Node.js code with Chrome DevTools.
• Limits of the browser: anything that needs native binaries or raw network sockets will not work (more on that below).

WebContainers are also available as an API, so other companies can embed a Node.js runtime in their own products. Bolt.new is built on the same technology.

Getting started

Start a new project

Go to stackblitz.com and pick a starter template for the framework you want. The shortcut node.new opens a blank Node.js project. Sign in (for example with GitHub) to save your work and fork projects.

Import a GitHub repository

Any public GitHub repo opens with a URL pattern:

• stackblitz.com/github/{username}/{repository} opens the default branch.
• Add /tree/{branch, tag or commit} to open a specific version.
• Add ?startScript=dev to choose which npm script runs on load, and ?title= to set the project title.

Projects imported this way stay in sync: when you push to the repo, the StackBlitz project updates. Importing private repos needs a paid membership. You can also drag and drop a folder to upload a project, create projects programmatically with a POST request, or use the StackBlitz JavaScript SDK (openProject and embedProject).

Share and embed

Every project has a URL you can share. You can embed a project in documentation, blog posts or a course page so readers can run and edit the code in place, and the SDK lets you control embeds from your own JavaScript. Note that embedding WebContainer-based projects only works in Chromium-based browsers.

The two editors: Classic Editor and Codeflow

Codeflow is the better choice when you want to review or contribute to a repository: open a pull request link, see the app running, make a change and push it back. One limitation in StackBlitz's docs: Codeflow cannot set a specific Node.js version.

What StackBlitz cannot do

Because everything runs in the browser, some things are out of reach. StackBlitz's docs list these limits:

• Other languages: PHP, Python and Java are not supported. StackBlitz is for JavaScript and TypeScript on Node.js.
• Server databases: databases that need a native server binary, such as MySQL or PostgreSQL, cannot run inside the project.
• Direct database connections: the browser cannot open raw TCP connections, so you cannot connect directly to a remote database. Use a database with an HTTP API instead, such as Neon's serverless driver for Postgres.
• External tools hitting your dev server: tools outside the browser, such as Postman, cannot reach the server running in your StackBlitz project.
• Desktop apps: Electron is not supported.
• Local backends and protected APIs: connecting to a backend on your own machine (localhost) or calling CORS-protected APIs needs a Pro plan or above.

If your project needs Python, a real Postgres server or Docker, a container-based cloud IDE such as GitHub Codespaces or Replit (Agentdex profile) is a better fit.

Browser support

If a project will not start, check whether your browser blocks third-party cookies or storage, which StackBlitz's docs say can break WebContainers, and try again in Chrome.

Deploying from StackBlitz

StackBlitz is a development environment, not a host, but there are several ways to get a project live:

• Download the project and deploy it with your usual tools.
• Connect a GitHub repository and let your existing CI and hosting pick up the changes.
• Codeflow plus hosting bots: push from Codeflow to GitHub, and Netlify or Vercel can build preview deployments from the repo.
• Firebase: older EngineBlock projects can deploy to Firebase Hosting.

StackBlitz's docs also describe a Web Publisher feature for publishing projects from the editor.

StackBlitz pricing

Each StackBlitz plan also includes the matching Bolt plan features (Personal, Pro or Teams). The WebContainer API has a free tier for non-commercial use with attribution, up to 25,000 API sessions a month; commercial use needs an Enterprise agreement. Prices are from stackblitz.com/pricing as of October 24, 2026.

For most individuals, Personal is enough for public projects and experiments. Pro makes sense if you need to upload larger files or talk to a local backend or a CORS-protected API. Teams is for companies that want private repositories and private npm packages inside StackBlitz.

StackBlitz and Bolt.new

Bolt.new is StackBlitz's AI app builder. You describe an app in plain English, and Bolt writes the code and runs it in a WebContainer in your browser, so you see a working preview straight away. StackBlitz is the IDE where you write code yourself; Bolt is the AI product that writes it for you. Many people prototype in Bolt and then continue in a regular editor. Read What is Bolt, Bolt as an AI website builder and Bolt.new alternatives for more.

StackBlitz vs other cloud IDEs

The trade-off is simple: StackBlitz is the fastest way to run JavaScript projects with nothing installed, but container-based tools handle any language, databases and Docker. If you want an AI agent that builds the app for you, compare Bolt with Replit in our Replit vs Bolt guide, or see Replit alternatives.

Tips for working in StackBlitz

• Use Chrome for anything important. It has full support, and embeds of WebContainer projects only work in Chromium browsers.
• Set the start script in the URL. Adding ?startScript=dev to a GitHub import link saves readers a step.
• Keep bug reproductions minimal. A small StackBlitz project linked from an issue is the fastest way for maintainers to see the problem.
• Plan your data layer. Pick an API-based database from the start if you expect to prototype a full-stack app in the browser.
• Do not paste secrets into public projects. Public projects can be opened and forked by anyone with the link.

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FAQ

Is StackBlitz free?

Yes. The Personal plan is free and includes unlimited public projects and the ability to open and edit public GitHub repos. Pro costs $18/month billed annually or $25 monthly.

What languages does StackBlitz support?

StackBlitz is built for the JavaScript ecosystem: Node.js, TypeScript and frameworks such as React, Vue, Angular, Svelte, Next.js and Vite. PHP, Python and Java are not supported.

Does StackBlitz run code on a server?

No. Projects run in your browser through WebContainers, a WebAssembly-based runtime that boots Node.js inside the browser tab.

Can I use a database in StackBlitz?

Not a native server database such as MySQL or PostgreSQL running inside the project, and the browser cannot open direct TCP database connections. Use a database with an HTTP API instead.

How do I open a GitHub repo in StackBlitz?

Go to stackblitz.com/github/{username}/{repository}. Add /tree/{branch} for a specific branch, tag or commit. Private repos need a paid plan.

Is StackBlitz the same as Bolt.new?

No, but they come from the same company. StackBlitz is a browser IDE where you write code; Bolt.new is StackBlitz's AI app builder that writes code for you, running on the same WebContainer technology.

Which browsers work with StackBlitz?

Chrome and other Chromium browsers have full support. Firefox and Safari 16.4 and newer are in beta, as are Android and iOS 16.4+.

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Part of our Bolt & StackBlitz guides hub

Written by Agentdex Editorial. Agentdex is an independent directory reviewing AI coding tools; we are not affiliated with the companies mentioned. Prices and features are as of October 24, 2026, from official sources linked above. Always confirm on the vendor's site.