Depot Remote Sandbox Alternatives for AI Agents | Blaxel Blog

Depot built its reputation accelerating Docker builds and CI pipelines. The platform then extended into remote agent sandboxes with persistent filesystems, Git integration, and session sharing for Claude Code. For teams already using Depot for builds, adding coding agent sandboxes to the same platform is a natural fit.

Production AI agent workloads expose gaps, though. Depot sandboxes run in isolated containers without hardware-level kernel separation. Sessions follow an async-only model with no real-time agent interaction.

Agent sandbox resources are presented as a standard configuration rather than a broad set of sizing options, while other Depot compute products have different resource profiles. Support includes Depot's Agent Sandbox and Anthropic's Agent SDK, with first-class clients for languages such as Python, but the product is not yet a framework-agnostic agent hosting layer.

This comparison focuses on where those limitations matter, then reviews five alternatives that address different production gaps: Blaxel, E2B, Fly.io, Vercel Sandbox, and Cloudflare Containers.

Where Depot Remote Sandbox falls short for production AI agents

Depot brings real strengths to developer workflows. The persistent filesystem survives session resumption, so agents pick up exactly where they left off. Native Git integration handles checkout, commit, and PR creation without manual code management.

Session sharing and resume across teams means any team member can view and continue work through the dashboard. The CLI-driven workflow fits existing CI/CD pipelines. Pricing sits at $0.01 per minute tracked by second. A web UI also provides session monitoring.

The limitations below surface when teams move beyond Claude Code prototyping to production agent infrastructure serving multiple customers, running diverse workloads, or requiring compliance certifications.

Container isolation shares the host kernel

Depot sandboxes run in isolated containers, not microVMs. Each container shares the host kernel with other tenants. For developer productivity with Claude Code, this isolation level is adequate. Containers are the industry standard for running your own trusted software.

The calculus changes for production agents running untrusted AI-generated code from multiple customers. Shared-kernel isolation carries container escape risk that microVM platforms eliminate architecturally. NIST SP 800-190 states directly that "the level of isolation provided by container runtimes is not as high as that provided by hypervisors." Enterprise customers with SOC 2 or HIPAA requirements face procurement friction when the isolation model doesn't provide hardware-enforced boundaries.

Async-only sessions block real-time agent interactions

Depot sandboxes operate in a persistent, resumable async model. Sessions can be started, paused, and later resumed with additional instructions via the dashboard. Teams monitor progress through the web UI.

For interactive coding-agent workloads where users watch code generation and preview rendering live, async-only execution doesn't fit. Coding agents, data analysis agents, and interactive assistants work best with synchronous connections where the user and agent communicate in real time.

A developer watching a coding agent generate and render an application expects immediate feedback. The async model forces a different workflow pattern: submit instructions, wait, check results later. That pattern works for background tasks but breaks the interactive loop these workloads depend on.

Fixed resources with limited sizing flexibility

Each Depot sandbox launches with a standard CPU and memory allocation, and the pricing page shows agent sandboxes as a single flat-rate line item with no size variants.

Teams running diverse agent workloads can't tune compute resources in the same way they can on platforms with multiple sandbox sizes. A lightweight code interpreter needs different resources than a data processing agent parsing large datasets.

Platforms with configurable CPU and memory tiers give teams finer control over resource allocation based on workload requirements. Depot's CI sandboxes, a separate product, offer broader configurability, but that hasn't clearly carried over to the agent sandbox product.

Claude Code-centric, not framework-agnostic agent hosting

Depot sandboxes currently center on Claude Code workflows, with other agent support presented as still evolving. The CLI command for interacting with Claude Code sandboxes is depot claude.

Teams building agents with LangChain, CrewAI, the OpenAI Agents SDK, or custom Python and TypeScript frameworks may need additional infrastructure around Depot today. There's no MCP server hosting, batch job infrastructure, or co-located shared storage beyond the Claude Code integration. Teams building full agent products need to stitch together multiple providers around Depot, adding complexity and network hops between components.

Depot Remote Sandbox alternatives at a glance

Five platforms address Depot's production gaps from different angles. Some upgrade isolation. Others add framework flexibility, real-time sessions, or configurable resources. The table below summarizes how each compares across the dimensions that matter most for production AI agent workloads.

The key tradeoff axis is stronger isolation boundaries versus broader ecosystem integration and deployment flexibility.

1. Blaxel

Blaxel is a perpetual sandbox platform using microVMs with hardware-enforced isolation, where each workload runs its own kernel and sandboxes can remain in standby indefinitely. Sandboxes stay dormant indefinitely with zero compute cost while idle, then resume in under 25ms with memory state preserved and filesystem state restored.

Initial creation from a template takes about 200 to 600ms. If a sandbox does not have an active connection, it automatically transitions back toward standby after 15 seconds of inactivity. Unlike Depot's async-only remote agent sandbox model for Claude Code sessions, Blaxel supports near-instant, interactive sandbox workflows and offers SDKs for Python, TypeScript, and Go.

The perpetual sandbox platform organizes around three primitives: compute (Sandboxes, Batch Jobs), storage ( Agent Drive for shared filesystems, Volumes for block storage), and networking (custom domains, dedicated egress gateways in private preview, proxy secrets injection). SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, and HIPAA (BAA available).

Key features

• MicroVM isolation: Hardware-enforced tenant isolation using Firecracker with a dedicated kernel per sandbox. Depot's shared-kernel containers share a single kernel across tenants, meaning a kernel exploit exposes all workloads on the host. Blaxel's microVM approach runs each sandbox in its own kernel, containing any exploit to the guest.
• Sub-25ms resume from perpetual standby: Full filesystem, memory, and process restoration from indefinite standby. Initial creation from a template takes about 200 to 600ms, and sandboxes return to standby after 15 seconds of inactivity. That supports interactive coding-agent workflows where users expect the environment to feel immediate.
• Support for Python and TypeScript agent frameworks: Deploy agents built with LangChain, LangGraph, CrewAI, Vercel AI SDK, the OpenAI Agents SDK, or custom frameworks in Python and TypeScript, with Go SDK support for platform interaction. Depot is more centered on Claude Code workflows.
• Agent Drive for shared context: A distributed filesystem mountable to multiple sandboxes simultaneously with concurrent read-write access, replacing the need for external storage when sharing data between agents and sessions. Depot offers no equivalent shared storage layer.
• Configurable resources: Configurable RAM tiers from XS through XL, up to 32 GB, versus Depot's standard agent sandbox allocation. That gives teams more control over sizing for different workloads.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Hardware-level kernel isolation versus Depot's shared-kernel containers
• Millisecond-range resume from standby versus container startup measured in seconds
• Supports Python and TypeScript frameworks, with Go SDK support for platform interaction, versus a more Claude Code-centered workflow
• Real-time synchronous sessions versus async-only
• Broad product coverage across Sandboxes, Batch Jobs, Agent Drive, Volumes, and networking
• SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, and HIPAA (BAA available)

Cons

• CPU-focused infrastructure with no GPU support for inference or training
• Supports only Python, TypeScript, and Go without Ruby, Java, or Rust support
• No support for air-gapped deployment. For on-premise solutions, the supported models are limited to private endpoint connectivity and bring-your-own-metal options.

Who Blaxel is best for

Teams that outgrew Depot's Claude Code sandbox and need a perpetual sandbox platform for production agent workloads. Coding agents, PR review agents, and data analysis agents benefit from sub-25ms resume from standby and shared context across sessions. Blaxel positions its perpetual sandbox platform for AI-agent sandbox execution and code generation workloads, and Jazzberry uses autonomous PR review.

Engineering leaders with SOC 2 or HIPAA requirements often face procurement and compliance considerations when evaluating infrastructure models. The differentiator beyond isolation is scope: Depot provides remote sandboxes that currently center on Claude Code, while Blaxel provides a perpetual sandbox platform with broader support for agents built in Python and TypeScript, with Go SDK support for platform interaction.

Teams whose workflow is exclusively Claude Code with Git integration may stay on Depot. Teams building multi-tenant agent products that execute untrusted code are more likely to move to Blaxel.

2. E2B

E2B is an open-source AI sandbox platform using Firecracker microVMs. E2B provides hardware-level isolation via Firecracker microVMs, with official SDKs supporting both Python and TypeScript. It is designed for AI code execution and supports multiple coding agents. For a deeper comparison, see our E2B alternatives guide.

Key features

• Firecracker microVMs: Hardware-isolated execution with a dedicated kernel per sandbox. A stronger boundary than Depot's container model.
• Fast boot times: Fast sandbox creation from templates. That helps interactive workloads more than slower async-first environments.
• Open-source SDK: Open-source with Python and TypeScript packages, plus an MCP gateway providing access to tools via the Docker MCP Catalog.
• Framework-agnostic: Compatible with LangChain, LangGraph, LlamaIndex, Autogen, and Vercel AI SDK, plus dedicated docs for OpenAI Agents SDK, Claude Code, and Codex. Not locked to a single agent.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• MicroVM isolation upgrades from Depot's container model
• Framework-agnostic versus Claude Code-centered workflows
• Open-source with active community (12,300+ GitHub stars)
• Snapshots, persistence, and auto-resume support
• Git integration documented at e2b.dev/docs/sandbox/git-integration
• Configurable vCPU and RAM

Cons:

• Hobby plan caps sessions; Pro extends session duration further. E2B's paused sandboxes offer long-lived persistence, and Vercel can also keep snapshots for extended periods.
• No SOC 2, HIPAA, or ISO 27001 certifications confirmed in official documentation
• Lacks some native networking features that Blaxel ships out of the box

Who E2B is best for

Teams switching from Depot specifically for stronger isolation and broader agent support who value open-source transparency. Good for early-stage products building beyond Claude Code. Less suited for teams that rely heavily on Depot's Git integration workflow or need enterprise compliance certifications during procurement.

3. Fly.io

Fly.io is a global cloud platform running Firecracker microVMs with a Machines API for programmatic VM lifecycle management. The architecture documentation states: "Application code runs in Firecracker microVMs. These are lightweight, secure virtual machines based on strong hardware virtualization." Fly.io provides hardware-level kernel isolation Depot lacks, with suspend/resume available in all regions, though without Depot's Git integration or session sharing features.

Key features

• Firecracker microVMs: Hardware-isolated execution with a dedicated kernel per workload. The VMM is written in Rust with seccomp-bpf restrictions.
• Machines API: Programmatic VM lifecycle management for create, stop, start, update, and delete operations. Supports custom sandbox workflows with auto-stop and auto-start configuration.
• Global edge network: Multi-region availability with documented suspend/resume across all regions.
• Fast boot and resume behavior: Fly.io documents fast machine boot and resume behavior. That favors teams willing to build their own interaction layer on top.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• MicroVM isolation versus Depot's shared-kernel containers
• No framework lock-in (any language, any runtime)
• Flexible Machines API with lifecycle hooks and auto-stop/auto-start
• SOC 2 certified; HIPAA BAA available ($99 per month compliance access)
• Configurable resources from shared CPUs to dedicated CPU instances

Cons:

• No built-in sandbox SDK. Teams must build their own state management, log streaming, and tunneling.
• No Git integration or session sharing like Depot
• No perpetual standby with automatic state preservation
• DIY setup complexity offsets the isolation upgrade for teams without infrastructure engineers

Who Fly.io is best for

Infrastructure teams comfortable building sandbox tooling who need microVM isolation Depot doesn't provide. Good for teams wanting hardware-enforced security with full control over VM configuration. Less suited for turnkey sandbox infrastructure or teams that value Depot's Git-integrated workflow without the engineering investment to replicate it.

4. Vercel Sandbox

Vercel Sandbox uses Firecracker microVM isolation, Active CPU pricing, and snapshotting, including sub-second restores from snapshots. Each sandbox runs in a secure Firecracker microVM with its own filesystem and network. This offers stronger isolation than Depot's container-based environment, while Depot provides a persistent filesystem. SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, and HIPAA compliant with a BAA available for Pro and Enterprise customers.

Key features

• Firecracker microVMs: Hardware-level isolation versus Depot's container model. The concepts documentation explicitly contrasts this with Docker containers, which share the host kernel.
• Sub-second startup: Faster creation than Depot's container launch. Official docs describe fast startup without a specific benchmark here.
• Active CPU pricing: Billing measures time code is actively executing on a vCPU, not idle time waiting for I/O. That changes cost behavior for bursty agent workloads.
• Snapshotting and persistent sandboxes: Snapshots save state for later resumption, skipping dependency installation on subsequent runs. Snapshots expire after 30 days by default (configurable). Persistent sandboxes auto-save state on stop.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Faster creation than Depot
• SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, and HIPAA BAA available
• Active CPU billing excludes I/O wait time
• MicroVM isolation with credential brokering that keeps secrets outside the sandbox boundary via a proxy

Cons:

• Session caps on paid and hobby plans versus Depot's unlimited persistence
• Single region (iad1 only) versus broader availability
• No Git clone, commit, or push workflow like Depot
• Snapshot expiration (30 days by default) forces periodic state rebuilds

Who Vercel Sandbox is best for

Teams that need faster startup with compliance certifications and Active CPU billing, and can work within bounded session lengths. A strong fit for teams already in the Vercel ecosystem building AI-powered features. Less suited for long-lived persistent agent environments or teams reliant on Depot's Git integration.

5. Cloudflare Containers

Cloudflare Containers is an edge-first container platform that runs containers globally, with pricing based on active runtime, and a Sandbox SDK for executing untrusted code in isolated environments. Each container instance runs inside its own VM, providing VM-level isolation. The platform offers deep ecosystem integration with Workers, R2, D1, Workers AI, and the Agents SDK. It offers broader agent framework support than Depot through its TypeScript SDK, though with an ephemeral filesystem on sleep.

Key features

• Global edge coverage: Broad edge deployment footprint and close integration with Cloudflare's network platform.
• Active CPU pricing: Pay for active execution time rather than idle wait. Includes usage allowance on the Workers Paid plan before overage rates apply.
• Sandbox SDK: TypeScript SDK built on Containers for executing commands, managing files, running background processes, and exposing services from Workers applications. Native integration with Workers AI for function calling with sandbox execution.
• Deep ecosystem: R2 for persistent storage, Workers as API gateway and orchestrator, Durable Objects for stateful coordination, and Workflows for multi-step agent orchestration. All inbound container traffic passes through a Worker, providing a natural request filtering layer.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Massive global edge network
• Broader agent framework support than Depot's Claude Code-centered model
• Active CPU billing with included usage tier
• SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 certified
• Network firewall via enableInternet flag to disable outbound access

Cons:

• State should be externalized to durable storage such as R2 or an equivalent service
• TypeScript-first SDK creates friction for Python-heavy agent teams
• No HIPAA BAA confirmed in retrieved documentation
• The current tradeoff here is persistence rather than isolation branding

Who Cloudflare Containers is best for

Teams that need global edge deployment and broader agent framework support than Depot, and can externalize state to R2 or another persistence layer. A strong fit for teams already invested in the Cloudflare ecosystem (Workers, R2, D1). Less suited for teams needing persistent stateful environments without external storage management, or teams requiring persistent pause-and-resume behavior for executing untrusted code.

How to choose the right Depot Remote Sandbox alternative

Map your specific Depot pain point to the platforms that address it:

• Need hardware-enforced isolation for untrusted code execution: Blaxel, E2B, Fly.io, and Vercel Sandbox all use Firecracker microVMs with dedicated kernels per workload. Cloudflare Containers uses VM-per-instance isolation.
• Need real-time synchronous sessions for interactive agent products: Blaxel and Vercel Sandbox provide synchronous capabilities in their SDKs and docs, and E2B's docs include both async and sync SDK references. Fly.io requires DIY implementation via the Machines API.
• Need broader agent hosting across Python and TypeScript frameworks: Blaxel supports Python and TypeScript frameworks, with Go SDK support for platform interaction. E2B, Fly.io, and Cloudflare Containers support multiple frameworks. Vercel Sandbox supports Node.js and Python runtimes.
• Need a full agent stack across compute, shared storage, batch processing, and networking: Blaxel is the only platform on this list described as combining sandboxes, batch jobs, Agent Drive, and related infrastructure in one perpetual sandbox platform.
• Need enterprise compliance: Blaxel (SOC 2 Type II, HIPAA BAA, ISO 27001) and Vercel Sandbox (SOC 2 Type II, HIPAA BAA, ISO 27001) offer the broadest compliance coverage. Fly.io offers SOC 2 Type II and HIPAA BAA. Cloudflare holds SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001.
• Need GPU compute: Vercel Sandbox and E2B do not appear to offer GPU compute for these sandbox products, while Fly.io offers GPUs at the platform level; GPU availability for Blaxel, Cloudflare Containers, and Depot could not be confirmed from the cited sources. Look at Modal or Beam.cloud for that axis.

Depot's Git-integrated Claude Code sandbox works for developer productivity. For multi-tenant agent products that execute untrusted code, or for interactive agent products where users expect live feedback, teams often need hardware isolation, real-time sessions, and broader support across agent frameworks.

Perpetual sandbox platforms like Blaxel address those gaps with sub-25ms resume, microVM isolation, and support for agents built in Python and TypeScript, with Go also supported through the SDK.

FAQ

Why would I switch from Depot Remote Sandbox for production AI agents?

Depot sandboxes run in isolated containers that share the host kernel, which introduces container escape risk when executing untrusted AI-generated code from multiple customers. Sessions follow an async-only model without real-time agent interaction, resources use a fixed configuration without sizing flexibility, and the product centers on Claude Code rather than supporting diverse agent frameworks. These gaps surface when teams move from developer productivity into multi-tenant production infrastructure.

What isolation model do Depot Remote Sandbox alternatives use?

Blaxel, E2B, Fly.io, and Vercel Sandbox all use Firecracker microVMs with a dedicated kernel per workload, providing hardware-enforced isolation that eliminates the shared-kernel risk in Depot's container model. Cloudflare Containers uses VM-per-instance isolation. NIST SP 800-190 confirms that container runtimes provide a lower isolation level than hypervisors.

Which Depot alternative supports the most agent frameworks?

Blaxel supports Python and TypeScript agent frameworks including LangChain, LangGraph, CrewAI, Vercel AI SDK, and the OpenAI Agents SDK, with Go SDK support for platform interaction. E2B and Fly.io are also framework-agnostic. Cloudflare Containers is TypeScript-first. All offer broader framework support than Depot's Claude Code-centered workflow.

Can I get real-time synchronous sessions with these alternatives?

Blaxel and Vercel Sandbox provide synchronous session capabilities through their SDKs. E2B supports both async and sync SDK patterns. Fly.io requires teams to build their own real-time interaction layer via the Machines API. This contrasts with Depot's async-only model where sessions are started, paused, and resumed later.

Which alternatives offer enterprise compliance certifications?

Blaxel and Vercel Sandbox offer the broadest coverage with SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, and HIPAA BAA. Fly.io holds SOC 2 Type II and offers HIPAA BAA. Cloudflare holds SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001. E2B has no compliance certifications confirmed in official documentation.

How does perpetual standby differ from Depot's persistent filesystem?

Depot preserves the filesystem across session resumptions so agents pick up where they left off. Blaxel's perpetual standby goes further by preserving full memory state and process state indefinitely at zero compute cost, then resuming in under 25ms. The sandbox never expires or gets destroyed — it suspends when idle and restores instantly when needed, supporting interactive workflows where users expect the environment to feel immediate.