How to Tell If Gemini Canvas Is Good at Coding

Key takeaways:

• Gemini Canvas is fast at generating code, but the design can be messy.
• It can build simple apps and games, but struggles with complex projects.
• All major AI chatbots have similar coding limits.

So you’re eyeing Gemini Canvas for coding and wondering if it’s worth your time? You’re not alone. Google’s new Gemini Canvas mode promises to help you whip up apps or documents, preview them live, and tweak things on the fly. But does it actually deliver for coding, or is it just another AI letdown? I’ve put it to the test with real prompts and compared it to Claude and ChatGPT. Here’s what you need to know before you start coding with AI.

Gemini Canvas Coding Features and How It Works for Developers

Gemini Canvas is a side window in Google Gemini that lets you see code output or preview a website or app right away. You can edit, ask for changes, and see the results instantly. This setup is supposed to make it easier for anyone—even if you’re not a pro developer—to build something simple with AI.

But Gemini Canvas isn’t the only player. Claude has Artifacts, and ChatGPT recently added its own Canvas mode. All three let you interact with code and see previews, but the details matter. If you’re serious about coding, you’ll want to know how these tools stack up.

Testing Gemini Canvas: Simple Website Creation

I started with a classic test: ask each AI to build a linktree or biolink website for my YouTube channel. The prompt was for the AI to visit my channel, understand my content, and generate a site with the right vibe and description.

• Gemini Canvas was super quick—much faster than the others.
• The code worked, but the design was all over the place. Too many colors, no consistency, and it didn’t follow any real design principles.
• It’s usable, but if you care about design, it’s not great.

Claude was a bit slower but added some nice touches: shadows, button animations, and working icons. The design felt more put together, though it still had too many colors. ChatGPT’s Canvas mode took the longest, but the design was cleaner and more modern.

So, if you want speed, Gemini Canvas wins. If you want better design, ChatGPT or Claude are ahead.

Coding More Than Just Websites: Simple Game Creation

Next up: building a simple browser game. I picked a basic “pong” style game to see how each AI handled logic, interactivity, and usability.

• Gemini Canvas generated the game quickly, but the result wasn’t playable. The button was out of view, and I couldn’t interact with it. I had to ask for revisions, and even then, it didn’t fully work.
• Claude made a playable game with scoring and working controls. It wasn’t flashy, but it did the job.
• ChatGPT needed a few extra prompts, but finally delivered a working game. The physics felt off, though—the ball moved too slow and didn’t feel right.

So, Gemini Canvas is fast, but you might spend more time fixing or re-prompting. Claude and ChatGPT are slower but more reliable for playable results.

Pushing Limits: 3D Game Coding

I wanted to see how these AIs handled something more advanced: a 3D game you could control with the keyboard.

• Gemini Canvas spit out code in seconds, but the result was a mess—random Chinese characters, no playable game, and confusing buttons.
• Claude took forever and still didn’t generate a working 3D game. I tried running the code elsewhere, but it just wouldn’t work.
• ChatGPT produced a block you could move, but it wasn’t really a 3D game. The track ended abruptly, and there was no real gameplay.

Bottom line: none of the AIs could pull off a real 3D game in the browser. They all hit a wall with complexity.

Speed vs. Quality: How Gemini Canvas Compares

Here’s a quick table to break down the experience:

Feature	Gemini Canvas	Claude Artifacts	ChatGPT Canvas
Speed	🚀 Fastest	Slow	Slowest
Design Quality	Messy	Decent	Best
Simple Website	Usable	Better	Best
Simple Game	Needs work	Playable	Playable
3D Game	Broken	Broken	Broken
Revision Ease	Easy	Easy	Easy

So, Gemini Canvas is all about speed. If you just need code fast, it’s your friend. But if you want something that looks good or works out of the box, you’ll need to spend more time tweaking—or use another AI.

If you’re running into issues with your browser or code previews, sometimes it’s just a browser zoom or rendering glitch. For more on fixing browser issues, check out how to fix Chrome goes fullscreen when pressing keyboard keys.

Real-World Coding: Everyday Use and AI Coding Limits

Here’s the thing: all these AI chatbots are trained for general use, not just coding. They can write code, but they’re not specialized like GitHub Copilot or other pro tools. If you’re using a real code editor, you might get better results with dedicated plugins.

For quick scripts, simple sites, or prototyping, Gemini Canvas is fine. For serious projects, you’ll run into limits—especially with complex logic, dependencies, or advanced design.

If you want to write your own Chrome extension or do more advanced stuff, you might want to see how to write your own Chrome extension or how to use inspect element to debug websites.

Revising and Iterating: Can You Fix Gemini’s Code?

One thing I noticed: Gemini Canvas is good at taking feedback. You can ask it to revise, center elements, or rewrite code, and it responds quickly. But sometimes, you need to be super specific—like asking for all code in one file, or to fix layout bugs.

If you’re not getting the result you want, try rewording your prompt or breaking the task into smaller steps. It’s not magic, but it can get you closer.

Is Gemini Canvas Good for Learning Code?

If you’re just starting out, Gemini Canvas can help you see how code works and try things out instantly. You can learn by tweaking, breaking, and fixing code live. But don’t expect it to teach you best practices or advanced techniques.

For more on learning and managing code, check out how to open multiple folders in VS Code or how to execute code snippets in VS Code editor.

Final Thoughts: Should You Use Gemini Canvas for Coding?

Gemini Canvas is quick and easy for simple coding tasks. It’s not going to replace a real developer or a pro coding tool, but it’s fun for prototyping, learning, or whipping up something basic. For anything advanced, you’ll run into the same limits as with other AI chatbots.

If you’re looking for more tips on coding, debugging, or browser tools, check out these guides:

• How to use inspect element to debug websites
• How to write your own Chrome extension
• How to open multiple folders in VS Code
• How to execute code snippets in VS Code editor

FAQs

Is Gemini Canvas better than ChatGPT or Claude for coding?

No, all three have similar limits. Gemini Canvas is faster, but ChatGPT and Claude usually give cleaner code and better design.

Can Gemini Canvas build complex apps?

No, it struggles with anything beyond basic sites or games. For complex projects, use a dedicated coding tool.

Why does Gemini Canvas code look messy?

It doesn’t always follow design principles. You’ll need to tweak colors, layout, and structure yourself.

Can I use Gemini Canvas to learn coding?

Yes, it’s good for experimenting and seeing live results, but it won’t teach you advanced skills.

What should I do if Gemini Canvas code doesn’t work?

Try rewording your prompt, be specific, or break your task into smaller steps. Sometimes, browser issues can mess with previews—see how to fix Chrome goes fullscreen when pressing keyboard keys.