Go Playground
Go Playground is a free web service that receives Go programs, checks them, compiles and links them, then runs them in a sandbox and returns the output.
What Go Playground is
Go Playground is a free web service that receives Go programs, checks them, compiles and links them, then runs them in a sandbox and returns the output. Its interface includes Run, Format, and Share controls. Programs containing tests or examples without a main function are run as tests. The service uses the latest stable Go release and supports most of the standard library, with some exceptions. Program time begins at 2009-11-10 23:00:00 UTC, providing deterministic output that is easier to cache. Execution time, CPU, and memory are limited, and outside communication is restricted to standard output and standard error. Sharing is public-only, with no private projects, real-time collaboration, full-stack runtime, or deployment options. Benchmarks are likely unsupported because of sandbox resource limits. The source code is available in the Go project’s public repository, and usage questions are directed to the golang-nuts mailing list.
Good
- Free browser-based Go execution
- Runs tests without a main function
- Uses latest stable Go release
- Deterministic program clock
- Provides formatting and sharing controls
Watch out
- Execution resources are limited
- Sharing is public-only
- No deployment options
- Only most of standard library available
Who it suits
It suits people who need to compile and share small Go programs from a browser. It is also useful for testing examples under a constrained, deterministic sandbox.
Verdict
Go Playground offers quick Go compilation and execution with deterministic timing and sandbox limits. It is intended for public, lightweight experiments rather than private projects or deployment.
Plans and prices
From Go Playground's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Go Playground | Free | Execution time, CPU, and memory are limited · Only most of the standard library is available · Programs can communicate externally only through stdout and stderr |
The facts
Each one read from Go Playground's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Benchmarks
- Benchmarks will likely not be supported because programs run in a sandboxed environment with limited resources.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Deployment options
- nonechecked 22 Sep 2026
- Deterministic time
- The Playground starts program time at 2009-11-10 23:00:00 UTC to make program output deterministic and easier to cache.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Full-stack runtime
- Nochecked 22 Sep 2026
- Go version
- The Playground uses the latest stable release of Go.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Network access
- The only communication a Playground program has with the outside world is through standard output and standard error.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Private projects
- Nochecked 22 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- The Go Playground is a web service that receives Go programs, vets, compiles, links, and runs them in a sandbox, then returns their output.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Real-time collaboration
- Nochecked 22 Sep 2026
- Security
- The Go Playground runs submitted programs inside a sandbox and limits their execution time, CPU usage, and memory usage.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Share and format
- The Playground interface provides Run, Format, and Share controls.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Sharing controls
- public_onlychecked 22 Sep 2026
- Source code
- The Playground source code is available in the Go project's public source repository.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Standard library
- Playground programs can use most of the standard library, with some exceptions.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The Go project directs questions about using Go to its golang-nuts discussion mailing list.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Tests
- If a program contains tests or examples and no main function, the service runs the tests.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Use on other sites
- The Go project says other sites may use the Playground service if they contact the project first, use a unique user agent, and provide a service that benefits the Go community.checked 7 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2010checked 28 Sep 2026
- Maker
- The Go project is an open source project developed by a team at Google and contributors from the open source community, and is distributed under a BSD-style license.checked 7 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
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