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jsdrop vs Val Town

Val Town and jsdrop both make a small TypeScript server something you write in a browser tab and share with a link. Val Town runs your code on its servers with Deno and adds built-in storage. jsdrop runs standard Node.js, first in your own browser and then, with Pro, on its servers.

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What both do well

  • TypeScript in a web editor, with no local setup.
  • HTTP endpoints you can share with a link.
  • npm packages.
  • Forking and public code to learn from.

Where jsdrop stands out

  • Run executes your program with a Node.js-compatible runtime in your own browser tab, on an isolated origin. npm packages install there too, so trying code costs nothing.
  • When your program calls listen(), it gets a public tunnel URL that anyone can open while your tab runs it.
  • Two files and nothing else: index.ts for the program and package.json for its dependencies. Imports you forget to list are added on Run.
  • Live collaboration is free: share the editor link and edit together with live cursors, even as a guest.
  • Permanent versions: every save creates an immutable snapshot you can link to, restore, or fork.
  • Pro deploys up to three drops to run around the clock in a sandboxed container, redeployed on every saved version, with logs.

Where Val Town is a great fit

  • Code runs on Val Town’s servers from the start, including on the free plan.
  • Built-in cron triggers, email handlers, SQLite, and blob storage.
  • A community of vals to import and build on.

Which should you use?

Choose Val Town for built-in storage and triggers on a hosted Deno runtime. Choose jsdrop for standard Node.js with any npm package, testing in your own browser for free, and live collaboration.

Questions

Does jsdrop use Node.js or Deno?

In the browser, a Node.js-compatible runtime compiled to WebAssembly; deployed drops run on real Node.js 24. Both use ES modules and TypeScript. Frameworks such as Express, Fastify, Hono, and Koa work as they do on your own machine.

Can a jsdrop server run all the time?

With Pro, up to three drops run around the clock on jsdrop’s servers at their own address. Without Pro, a server runs in your browser while the tab is open.

Is jsdrop free?

Yes. Public drops, running in the browser, live collaboration, versions, and embeds are free. Pro adds deploys, environment variables, custom domains, and private drops.

More comparisons

Val Town is a trademark of its owner. This comparison is based on publicly available information as of September 2026; products change, so check each product’s site for current details.