Jupyter vs Google Colab vs VS Code – which should you use?
Jupyter Notebook, Google Colab, and VS Code are three of the most common environments for data science and machine learning. They overlap, but they’re not the same. Here’s a simple way to choose – and how NoteCapsule fits into each.
1. High-level comparison
| Feature | Jupyter Notebook | Google Colab | VS Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | Your machine | Google cloud | Your machine (with remote options) |
| Setup | Install Python + Jupyter | Open browser, log in | Install VS Code + Python extension |
| GPU access | Local GPU only | Free GPU/TPU tiers | Local or remote GPU |
| Best for | Local, private data & custom envs | Students, quick ML experiments | Full projects, mixed scripts & notebooks |
2. When to choose Jupyter Notebook
- You’re working with sensitive or offline data.
- You want full control over environments and dependencies.
- You’re okay managing Python/conda and package installs locally.
3. When to choose Google Colab
- You need free GPU/TPU for deep learning.
- You want zero setup: just browser + Google account.
- You’re doing coursework, side projects, or early experimentation.
4. When to choose VS Code
- You’re building a full project: notebooks + scripts + tests.
- You want strong editor features (refactoring, debugging, extensions).
- You might mix local runs with remote servers or containers.
5. Where NoteCapsule fits
Regardless of tool, the core problem is the same: “Will this still run later, on another machine?”. That’s what NoteCapsule targets.
- In Jupyter: Use NoteCapsule to snapshot a working notebook + data + environment before big refactors.
- In Colab: Snapshot projects that depend on Drive paths and Colab’s environment before a runtime reset or deadline.
- In VS Code: Combine scripts and notebooks, then capture a Capsule at major milestones so others can replicate runs locally.
Whatever tool you choose, make sure it’s reproducible
NoteCapsule doesn’t replace Jupyter, Colab, or VS Code – it adds a reproducibility layer on top of them. Capture a Capsule in your current environment and keep your work portable.
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