html.cloud vs CodePen
CodePen is a public front-end playground for writing and showing code. html.cloud privately delivers a finished HTML file — the recipient sees the rendered page, not the source — encrypted in your browser, with no account.
At a glance
| html.cloud | CodePen | |
|---|---|---|
| What it's for | Privately delivering a finished HTML file | Writing, showing & iterating front-end code |
| What the recipient sees | The rendered page | An editor with your source code + preview |
| Default visibility | Private — only people with the link | Public; private pens need a paid plan |
| Privacy model | Client-side AES-256-GCM; we store only ciphertext | Code stored and shown in plaintext |
| Account | None | Account needed to save and manage pens |
| Live editing / community | No — replace the file via a private edit link | Yes — in-browser editing, embeds, a community |
When to use which
Use CodePen when the code is the point: prototyping in the browser, sharing a technique, embedding a live demo in an article, teaching, or collaborating with other developers. It's a great place to show how something is built.
Use html.cloud when the result is the point and it needs to stay private: handing a client or colleague a finished HTML report, presentation, or dashboard. They open a link and see the page — no editor, no public listing, no sign-in — and the file is encrypted before it ever leaves your device.
FAQ
What's the difference between html.cloud and CodePen?
CodePen is a social editor for writing and showing code publicly. html.cloud delivers a finished HTML file privately — the recipient sees the rendered page, the file is encrypted in your browser, and no account is needed.
Are CodePen pens private?
Pens are public by default; private pens require a paid PRO plan. html.cloud links are private by design — encrypted client-side with the key in the URL fragment, never sent to the server.
Can I share an AI-generated HTML file with CodePen?
You can paste code into a pen, but CodePen centres on editing and showing source publicly. To hand a finished AI-generated file to a specific person privately, html.cloud fits better: drop the file, get a private encrypted link.