GitPod so far has been a better experience, unless you get access to the actually 'paid' codespaces. Dealing with branches is a pain and a fork is impossible with the GitHub web editor. GitPod has a better real desktop experience in the browser. So I can see how this can help verify the experience they are after and confirms people want.

Personally been using GitPod a lot for mentoring and small workshops. (but also coder).