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microsandboxvsModal

Modal is the answer when you need autoscaling GPUs, batch inference, or a Python-defined backend that just runs in the cloud. microsandbox is the answer when you need disposable, isolated computers for agents to use, on your machine first, then in the cloud. Same neighborhood, different shape.

microsandbox
local + cloud
Modal
Cloud platform for AI workloads
Primary use case
Per-request agent sandboxes · untrusted code
AI inference · training · batch jobs
Hosting model
Local-first · cloud beta soon
Cloud-only
Runs offline
Yes, fully local
No
Languages
Rust · TypeScript · Python · CLI (Go, Terraform next)
Python only
Programming model
Embed an SDK, spawn sandboxes from your code
Decorate Python functions, deploy to their cloud
Daemon required
None
Their cloud control plane
Secrets
TLS-bound substitution · real keys never enter guest
Modal Secrets injected as env vars
Network policy
Programmable allowlist · DNS pinning
Whitelisted egress · per-function config
Pricing
Free locally · cloud beta TBA
Pay-per-use compute · $30/mo free credit
GPU support
Local CPU today · GPU in cloud roadmap
First-class · A100, H100, L4, T4
License
Local: Apache 2.0 · Cloud: TBA
Proprietary
Pick Modal

Pick Modal when the workload is the product.

  • You're serving an inference endpoint or running batch GPU jobs at scale.
  • Python is your language and you want decorators that auto-deploy.
  • You need fleets of GPUs that scale up and back down without ops.
  • Cloud-only is fine, you're not trying to run anything on a developer laptop.
Pick microsandbox

Pick microsandbox when the agent needs a computer.

  • Your agent runs untrusted code, opens shells, edits files, calls tools, and you need real isolation per session.
  • You want to develop and test locally for free, then ship to the cloud unchanged.
  • Sandboxes are short-lived, lots of them, and need to come and go in milliseconds.
  • You need real secrets protection, not env vars the guest can read.
  • You're not Python-first, or you want SDKs in TypeScript and Rust today.
Closed beta

Cloud and on-prem, almost here.

Drop your email and we'll invite you in as the beta opens up.

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