Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Ghostlab VS Live.js

Compare Ghostlab VS Live.js and see what are their differences

Ghostlab logo Ghostlab

Ghostlab allows you to test out a newly developed website on a variety of browsers and mobile devices at the same time. To get started, simply drag the web address to the Ghostlab system and press the play button. Read more about Ghostlab.

Live.js logo Live.js

Live. js. one script closer to designing in the browser. Say goodbye to Alt-Tab. Live.
  • Ghostlab Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-24
  • Live.js Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-29

Ghostlab features and specs

  • Cross-browser testing
    Ghostlab allows developers to test their websites across various browsers and devices simultaneously, ensuring consistent user experience.
  • Synchronized testing
    The tool provides synchronized testing which means actions like clicks, scrolls, and form inputs are mirrored across all connected devices, saving time and effort.
  • Debugging tools
    Ghostlab includes advanced debugging tools that assist in identifying and fixing issues quickly by providing detailed inspection and debugging capabilities.
  • User-friendly interface
    The application is known for its intuitive and straightforward user interface, making it accessible even for users without extensive technical knowledge.
  • Integrated workflow
    Ghostlab integrates well with various development workflows and supports various platforms, enhancing its utility and flexibility for developers.

Possible disadvantages of Ghostlab

  • Price
    Ghostlab is a paid application and might be considered expensive for smaller teams or individual developers, especially compared to some free alternatives.
  • Limited free trial
    The free trial version of Ghostlab has limitations, which might not allow users to fully explore its range of features before purchasing.
  • Resource-intensive
    Some users report that Ghostlab can be resource-intensive, potentially slowing down the system, especially when testing across many browsers and devices.
  • Steep learning curve
    While the interface is user-friendly, understanding and utilizing all of Ghostlab’s advanced features may require a learning curve for some users.
  • Compatibility issues
    There can be compatibility issues with certain older versions of browsers or operating systems, which may restrict testing coverage.

Live.js features and specs

  • Automatic Reload
    Live.js automatically reloads web pages whenever HTML, CSS, or JavaScript files are modified, which enhances developer productivity by immediately reflecting changes without manual refreshing.
  • Easy Setup
    The setup process for Live.js is straightforward, requiring minimal configuration. Developers only need to include a single script tag to start using it.
  • No Build Tools Required
    Live.js does not require any build tools or server environment, making it a lightweight option for quickly setting up live reload functionality without the complexity of integrating with other toolchains.
  • Real-time Preview
    Provides real-time preview of changes, which is beneficial for rapid prototyping and design iterations, improving the workflow for front-end developers.

Possible disadvantages of Live.js

  • Limited Feature Set
    Live.js offers basic functionality focused mainly on live reloading. It may not cover more advanced use cases or features that comprehensive development tools provide.
  • Inefficient for Large Projects
    For larger projects with many files, Live.js can become inefficient as it reloads the entire page, which might interrupt development flow and increase wait times.
  • Not Suitable for Production
    Live.js is meant for development environments and should not be used in production as it can expose internal file structures and is not optimized for performance.
  • No Customization
    Offers little to no options for customization or configuration, which might be a drawback for developers who need more control over the development environment behavior.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Ghostlab and Live.js)
Browser Testing
78 78%
22% 22
Image Optimisation
0 0%
100% 100
Developer Tools
57 57%
43% 43
Website Testing
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Ghostlab and Live.js. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Live.js seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 3 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Ghostlab mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Ghostlab yet. Tracking of Ghostlab recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Live.js mentions (3)

  • Can I skip the system checks?
    There's a crusty old script out there called Live.js. IIRC it sends a request to the server every second or so and if it detects a different content-length header it reloads the page. It's like a poor man's version of hot reloading. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Are there any lesser-known tools you use a lot in your work?
    Live.js - automatically refreshes the page when we edit the sources. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Is there a way to see your webpage while your edit it?
    Livejs (not tested it myself) looks like what your are looking for. Source: about 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Ghostlab and Live.js, you can also consider the following products

LiveReload - LiveReload 2 proudly presents… The Web Developer Wonderland. (a happy land where browsers don't need a Refresh button). CSS edits and image changes apply live. CoffeeScript, SASS, LESS and others just work.

CodeKit - CodeKit allows you to optimize the performance of your website by automatically and efficiently compiling a variety of popular languages.

Browsersync - Browsersync makes your tweaking and testing faster by synchronising file changes and interactions...

Browserlink.vim - Live browser editing for Vim. Contribute to jaxbot/browserlink.vim development by creating an account on GitHub.

Prepros - Compile Less, Sass, Scss, Stylus, Jade, Coffeescript, Haml and Markdown with live browser refresh.

BrowserStack - BrowserStack is a software testing platform for developers to comprehensively test websites and mobile applications for quality.