n8n-sandbox-service vs CubeSandbox
Self-hosted sandbox services compared
n8n-sandbox-service and CubeSandbox both provide APIs for running work in isolated environments. n8n-sandbox-service centers on placing sandboxes across registered runners, while CubeSandbox focuses on KVM microVMs for AI-agent and other workloads, with additional state and network controls.
n8n-sandbox-service: Isolated Command Execution via REST API
n8n Sandbox Service provisions isolated Docker/Sysbox containers or Firecracker microVMs for on-demand command and file operations. Runners register with a central API that places sandboxes and proxies requests.
CubeSandbox: Run Secure, Fast Sandboxes for AI Agents
CubeSandbox is a self-hostable sandbox service for running untrusted AI-agent workloads in hardware-isolated microVMs. It combines E2B SDK compatibility with snapshots, network controls, and single-node or multi-node deployment.
| n8n-sandbox-service | CubeSandbox | |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Go | Go |
| License | — | NOASSERTION |
| Stars | 29 | 12.8k |
| Forks | 13 | 1.2k |
| Last analyzed | Oct 23, 2026 | Oct 3, 2026 |
Key differences
- n8n-sandbox-service supports containers or Firecracker microVMs; CubeSandbox runs each sandbox in a KVM-based microVM with a dedicated OS kernel.
- n8n-sandbox-service registers runners with a central API that places sandboxes and proxies requests; CubeSandbox describes single-node and multi-node deployment with centralized scheduling.
- n8n-sandbox-service provides a REST API and TypeScript SDK; CubeSandbox provides REST APIs compatible with the E2B SDK interface.
- CubeSandbox lists snapshots, cloning, rollback, network isolation, egress controls, and automatic pause and resume; n8n-sandbox-service focuses on command execution and file handling through a sandbox daemon.
- n8n-sandbox-service has setup paths for Sysbox on Linux, Firecracker on KVM, macOS development, and Kubernetes; CubeSandbox requires Linux and KVM, and identifies Kubernetes deployment as preview.
- Both report Go and NOASSERTION in the supplied metadata. Their README license details differ: n8n-sandbox-service identifies a Sustainable Use License and an n8n Enterprise License for `.ee` files or directories, while CubeSandbox states Apache License 2.0.
Choose n8n-sandbox-service if you…
- need a central API to place sandboxes across registered runners.
- want to run commands and manage files through an HTTP daemon inside each sandbox.
- need setup paths covering containers or Firecracker microVMs, with macOS development guidance.
Choose CubeSandbox if you…
- need KVM microVM isolation for AI-agent or other untrusted workloads.
- want E2B SDK-compatible REST interfaces or features such as snapshots, cloning, and rollback.
- can operate Linux and KVM infrastructure and want single-node or multi-node deployment options.
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This comparison is generated with AI from the OSRepos analyses of both projects. Always check each project's repository and documentation before choosing.