Live Coding Interview

The simplest way to interview developers online.

Share a link, candidate codes in seconds. No signup required for candidates. Multi-file projects with real-time collaboration. TypeScript, React, npm packages. 60x cheaper than CoderPad.

Start Interview

Free tier · $5/mo Pro · No credit card

playcode.io/interview-abc123

solution.jstypes.ts

// Task: Sum of All Elements in an Array
import {'{'} sum {'}'} from 'lodash'Maria
function sumArray(arr) {'{'}Eric
return arr.reduce((a, b) => a + b|
{'}'}
console.log(sumArray([1,2,3,4]))

Web View

Live

Sum Calculator

Result: 10

Console

> 10

1.1M+

Developers

23M+

Projects Created

2016

Since

TRUSTED BY

No Candidate SignupShare link, they code instantly

Multi-File ProjectsOrganize code with folders

Blazing FastInstant compilation & preview

One-Click PublishShare results with a URL

$5/month60x cheaper than CoderPad

AI AssistantGenerate hints, evaluate code

The Best Live Coding Interview Tool

CoderPad features at 60x lower cost. No candidate signup required.

For Startups

Skip the $500/month enterprise tools. Get the same live coding interview experience at $5/month. Perfect for seed-stage and Series A companies.

Enterprise interview tools charge $500-2000/month for features you may never use. PlayCode gives you everything you need for technical interviews at a fraction of the cost.

Real-time collaborative coding
Multi-file projects with folders
Full npm ecosystem (2M+ packages)
Blazing fast compilation

Best for: Seed-stage startups, Series A companies, small engineering teams

For Interviewers

Share a link, candidate codes in seconds. No "please create an account" friction. See their code in real-time with live cursors and console output.

The biggest pain point in technical interviews is setup friction. PlayCode eliminates it completely. Candidates click a link and start coding. You see everything in real-time.

No candidate signup required
Real-time code sync with live cursors
One-click publish to share results
Organize interviews in folders

Best for: Engineering managers, tech leads, senior engineers conducting interviews

For Candidates

No signup, no downloads, just code. Open the interview link in any browser and start coding immediately. Focus on the problem, not the tools.

Nothing is worse than spending the first 10 minutes of an interview setting up tools. With PlayCode, you click a link and you're coding. The environment is familiar (VS Code-like editor) and supports all modern JavaScript.

Works in any browser
No account creation needed
Full IntelliSense autocomplete
Real runtime for React/TypeScript

Best for: Job seekers, developers interviewing, bootcamp graduates

PlayCode vs CoderPad vs HackerRank

Feature	PlayCode	CoderPad	HackerRank
Monthly Price	$5/mo	$500+/mo	Enterprise
Candidate Signup	Not required	Required	Required
Real-time Collaboration
npm Packages	2M+ packages	Limited	Limited
AI Coding Assistant
React/TypeScript			Partial
Multi-File Projects	Unlimited files		Limited
Built-in Video/Audio	Use Zoom/Meet
One-Click Publish

* Prices as of January 2026. CoderPad pricing from public sources.

When to Use PlayCode for Interviews

Technical Screening

First-round coding interviews to assess basic JavaScript skills. Share a problem, watch them solve it live.

Frontend Interviews

Build real React components, style with CSS, and see live preview. Perfect for UI/UX developer roles.

Pair Programming

Work together on a problem to see how the candidate collaborates. Multiple cursors show who's typing what.

Take-Home Review

Candidate submits code, you review together in real-time. Ask them to make changes while you watch.

Mock Interviews

Bootcamp instructors and mentors use PlayCode for practice interviews. Free tier is generous for learning.

How to Conduct a Live Coding Interview

Create Your Interview Project. Start with JavaScript, TypeScript, or React. Add your interview problem or starter code. Choose the right environment for the role you're hiring for.

JavaScript

Algorithms, data structures

Share the Interview Link. Click the Share button and copy the link. Send it to your candidate via email, Slack, or calendar invite. No special instructions needed.

playcode.io/abc123xyz

That's it. Candidate clicks the link and starts coding.

No signup required for candidates.

Candidate Joins Instantly. Candidate clicks the link and opens the editor in their browser. No downloads, no account creation, no friction. They're coding in under 3 seconds.

playcode.io/abc123xyz

index.js

function reverseString(str) {

// Write your solution here

return str

}

console.log(reverseString('hello'))

Console

> hello

Candidate is typing...

Code Together in Real-Time. See the candidate's code as they type with real-time sync. Both of you can edit, run code, and see console output. Use Zoom or Meet for audio/video.

Live Cursors

See exactly where the candidate is typing

Multi-File Projects

Organize code with folders and files

Blazing Fast

Instant compilation and live preview

npm Packages

Import any of 2M+ packages instantly

Pro tip

Keep Zoom or Google Meet in a separate window for audio/video. This gives you better quality than built-in solutions, and you can record the call if needed for review.

Review and Decide. After the interview, review the code together. The project is saved automatically. Make your hiring decision with full context of the candidate's problem-solving process.

Interview: React Component

Jan 13, 2026 at 2:30 PM • 45 min

function useCounter() {'{'}

const [count, setCount] = useState(0)

// ...

{'}'}

What's next?

✅

Move to next round

Code saved for team review

🔄

Request follow-up

Share same project link again

📋

Share with team

Anyone with link can view code

Ready to conduct better interviews?

Start for free. No credit card required.

Create Interview Project Free tier • $5/mo Pro

Features

Code Autocomplete. Enhance your coding speed and efficiency with smart code autocomplete feature. Avoid checking the documentation frequently.

Bug Finder. PlayCode can identify and display all errors, providing assistance to fix them. Write, run code, correct any errors quickly.

The Most Flexible Layout.

Arrange panels as you like.

Upload Assets. Images, videos, sounds, shaders and others.

Color Themes.

Feels great in any environment.

Ready to use
JavaScript Playground

No need to configure your own IDE preset, start immediately.

Open Playground

Code seamlessly from any device

Jumping from your Mac to your iPad to your iPhone is no problem. Web editor is optimized for all devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a live coding interview?

A live coding interview is a technical interview where the candidate writes code in real-time while the interviewer watches. PlayCode provides a collaborative online environment where both parties can see and edit code simultaneously, with instant compilation and console output.

How much does PlayCode cost for live coding interviews?

PlayCode costs $4.99/month (billed yearly at $59.99) or $9.99/month billed monthly. This is 60x cheaper than enterprise tools like CoderPad ($500+/month). Free tier available with basic features.

Do candidates need to sign up to join an interview?

No! Candidates do not need to create an account. Simply share the interview link, and they can open it in any browser and start coding immediately. No downloads, no signup, no friction.

Can I create multi-file projects for interviews?

Yes! PlayCode supports unlimited files and folders in a single project. Create complex interview scenarios with multiple JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML, and CSS files. Organize your interview templates with folders. Candidates can work on real-world multi-file challenges, not just single-file snippets.

What programming languages are supported?

PlayCode supports JavaScript (ES2026), TypeScript, JSX/TSX, React, Vue, Svelte, and more. You can import any npm package. Perfect for frontend interviews and full-stack JavaScript roles.

How is PlayCode different from CoderPad?

PlayCode offers similar real-time collaboration features at 60x lower cost ($5/mo vs $500+/mo). Key differences: no candidate signup required, full npm ecosystem (2M+ packages), AI coding assistant included, multi-file projects with folders, one-click publish. CoderPad has built-in video/audio which PlayCode does not (use Zoom/Meet instead).

Can I conduct React or TypeScript interviews?

Yes! PlayCode has full React and TypeScript support with hot module replacement. Candidates can build real React components, import hooks, use state management libraries, and see live preview. TypeScript errors are shown in real-time.

Can I publish and share interview results?

Yes! With one click, you can publish the interview project and share a URL with your team. Anyone with the link can view the code. Perfect for team review after the interview or sharing candidate solutions with hiring managers.

Can multiple interviewers join the same session?

Yes! Multiple people can join the same PlayCode session. All participants see real-time code changes with live cursors. Perfect for panel interviews or having a senior engineer shadow the interview.

What our users value

Easy to use

Fast

Best for learners

Replaced CoderPad, saved $6000/year

We were paying $500/month for CoderPad. Switched to PlayCode and it does everything we need for live coding interviews. Real-time collaboration, TypeScript support, npm packages. Our candidates love that they don't need to sign up.

- Michael Torres, Engineering Manager at Series A Startup