The best alternatives to E2B.dev for running untrusted code in secure sandboxes

AI developers are increasingly utilizing platforms that securely execute user-submitted or AI-generated code in isolated environments, with E2B.dev being a notable option. While E2B.dev is suitable for experimentation due to its fast startup and Firecracker-based isolation, it has limitations such as short-lived sandbox sessions and high costs at scale. Northflank emerges as a more flexible and production-ready alternative, offering persistent microVMs with extensive orchestration capabilities, integration with Git and CI/CD, and support for multi-tenant environments. Other alternatives like Modal, Daytona, and Vercel provide varying features, such as fast cold-start speeds or tight integration with specific workflows, but may lack the comprehensive security and persistence features required for long-term, stateful workloads. The importance of secure sandboxing lies in mitigating risks associated with executing potentially malicious or resource-intensive code, and for teams needing robust enterprise controls, Northflank presents a compelling option for running untrusted code safely.