The core difference

Replit is a browser-based IDE that happens to have AI features. It's a full development environment in the browser with its own hosting, database, auth, and deployment. Everything runs on Replit's platform.

Runtime gives you the same browser-based simplicity, but with the coding agents you actually want to use (Claude Code, Codex, Gemini CLI) and no platform lock-in. Prompt, watch it build with live preview, deploy anywhere. As easy as Replit, but you own everything.

Why teams choose Runtime over Replit

Your agents, not theirs

Replit uses its own AI (Ghostwriter/Replit AI). You can't bring Claude Code, Codex, or any other agent. You're stuck with whatever model Replit decides to use.

With Runtime, you choose your agent. Claude Code for deep reasoning, Codex for speed, Gemini CLI for Google models. Bring your own API keys or use Runtime's credits.

No platform lock-in

Replit forces you into their ecosystem: Replit Auth for authentication, Replit Database or Neon for storage, Replit hosting for deployment. If you outgrow Replit or want to move to AWS, you're rewriting infrastructure code.

Runtime doesn't lock you in. Use Vercel, Fly.io, Railway, AWS, or self-host. Use any database. Use any auth provider. The sandbox is just where development happens. Your production infrastructure is your choice.

Import your actual codebase

Replit's GitHub integration is limited. You can clone a repo, but working with large codebases, monorepos, or complex dependency trees is painful. The browser IDE wasn't designed for production repos.

Runtime is built for real codebases. Import any GitHub repo, create org templates with pre-installed dependencies and secrets, and spin up sandboxes in seconds. Your team works on your actual codebase, not a toy version of it.

Background agents and observability

Replit's AI helps you while you're actively coding. When you close the tab, nothing happens.

Runtime lets you fire-and-forget background agents from Linear tickets, GitHub issues, or Sentry alerts. They build, test, and open PRs while you focus on something else. The activity dashboard shows what every agent is doing, what it costs, and who on your team is using what.

When Replit makes sense

You want a full IDE in the browser for personal projects
You're learning to code and want a simple environment
You're fine with Replit's platform for hosting and infrastructure
You don't need to import existing production repos

When Runtime makes sense

You want Claude Code, Codex, or Gemini CLI in cloud sandboxes
You need to import and build on existing repos
You want to deploy to your own infrastructure, not a locked-in platform
Your team needs background agents, observability, and cost controls
You use any database, auth, or hosting provider you want

Ready to build with Runtime?

Full-stack cloud sandboxes with the coding agents you already use. No platform lock-in.

Get Started Free

Feature	Runtime	Replit
AI Agent	Claude Code, Codex, Gemini CLI	Replit AI (Ghostwriter)
Import Existing Repos	Full GitHub import	Limited (clone only)
Full-Stack Support	Any language, any framework	Most languages, Replit-managed
Database	PostgreSQL, SQLite, MongoDB, any	Replit Database, Neon (managed)
Authentication	Any (Better Auth, Clerk, custom)	Replit Auth only
Deployment	Any cloud (Vercel, Fly, AWS, self-host)	Replit hosting only
Git Integration	Full (push, PR, branches)	Basic (limited branching)
Team Collaboration	Real-time multiplayer + background agents	Real-time multiplayer
Background Agents
Observability	Activity dashboard, cost tracking, spend controls	Basic usage stats
Self-Hosting
Open Source
Browser IDE	Workspace with live preview	Full browser IDE