E2B vs Modal: comparing AI code execution sandboxes in 2026

E2B and Modal, two platforms designed for running untrusted code, provide isolated sandboxes but differ significantly in their approaches and use cases. E2B focuses on AI agent code execution using microVM-based isolation, offering session-scoped sandboxes managed via SDKs, which are highly suitable for scenarios requiring reproducible and hardware-level isolated environments. Modal, on the other hand, is part of a broader AI infrastructure platform that includes inference, training, and batch processing, using gVisor for system call interception as its isolation method, and allows environment definition dynamically at runtime for high concurrency needs. Northflank offers a comprehensive solution with secure microVM sandboxes, supporting both ephemeral and persistent environments, and integrates additional infrastructure like APIs and databases, which can be deployed in managed cloud or self-hosted environments, offering a scalable solution for teams needing a complete runtime alongside sandbox execution. The primary distinctions between these platforms include the isolation methods, persistence models, and the scope of additional infrastructure provided, each catering to different compliance, scalability, and execution environment needs.