pi pod (pipod.dev) runs your pi coding agent session in a sandboxed pod on your own server. It's free and open source and self-hosted today; a hosted version is described as "coming soon" with no pricing stated yet.
Comparison table
| Product | Free tier | Starts at | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandock | No | $5/mo | Persistent Docker-based agent workspaces |
| Boxes.dev | Yes (10h trial) | $19/mo | Giving each agent its own cloud computer |
| Runtime | Yes (500 credits) | $99/mo | Teams running sandboxed agents together |
| PaperPod | Yes (~14h free) | $0.0001/sec | Pay-per-use compute with no API key setup |
| BrowserPod for Node.js | Yes (1,000 hrs/mo) | $20/mo | Browser-based serverless code execution |
| Shellular | Yes (beta) | Not stated | Running Claude Code, Codex, or Pi from a phone |
| Pu.sh | Yes (open source) | Not stated | A minimal shell-only agent harness, not a sandbox host |
Sandock (sandock.ai)
Sandock gives coding agents persistent Docker workspaces instead of ephemeral pods, so state survives between sessions. It suits teams that want multiple always-on sandboxes with set storage limits rather than a self-hosted server they manage themselves. Pricing starts at $5/month for the Plus plan (5 sandboxes, 2GB storage), with Pro plans from $15-$100/month and custom Enterprise pricing. There's no free tier, which is the clearest tradeoff against pi pod's free, self-hosted model.
Boxes.dev (boxes.dev)
Boxes.dev gives every Codex or Claude Code agent its own cloud computer, aimed at developers who want to parallelize agent work without juggling git worktrees. It's cloud-only, so it doesn't fit teams wanting to run everything on their own server like pi pod does. A free trial includes 10 hours of compute; paid plans start at $19/user/month (40 hours included) up to $99/user/month, with custom Teams pricing and extra hours billed separately.
Runtime (runtm.com)
Runtime is built for sandboxed coding agents used across a whole team rather than a single developer's server. It fits organizations that need shared, managed infrastructure over self-hosting. The free plan includes 500 credits for individuals; the Teams plan starts at $99/seat/month for production use, with custom Enterprise pricing for advanced security. That $99 starting price is notably higher than most other options here, which limits it to teams with budget for it.
PaperPod (paperpod.dev)
PaperPod is a sandbox runtime where agents like Claude Code execute code, write files, and expose preview URLs, paying per millisecond via the x402 protocol instead of a subscription. It suits developers who want metered, keyless access rather than running their own server. Pricing is pay-per-use at $0.0001/sec, with free starter credits (about 14 hours) and no card required. It's alpha software, so stability and feature completeness are still catching up to more established options.
BrowserPod for Node.js (browserpod.io)
BrowserPod runs AI-generated code in a browser-based serverless sandbox, which suits developers who want isolation without managing any server, self-hosted or otherwise. The free plan includes 1,000 hours/month for personal or non-commercial use; the Pro plan starts at $20/month with 2,000 hours plus $0.01/hour overage, and Enterprise has custom pricing. Because it's Node.js- and browser-focused, it's a narrower fit than pi pod if you specifically need a general-purpose self-hosted pod for pi sessions.
Shellular (shellular.dev)
Shellular gives remote access to your existing dev machine from a phone, with a terminal, files, Git, ports, and DevTools, so it supports Claude Code, Codex, and Pi agents on the device you already run them on. It fits developers who want mobile access rather than a new sandbox host. It's currently in beta with no pricing published. The limitation is that it doesn't provide its own sandbox or server; it connects to one you already have.
Pu.sh (pu.dev)
Pu.sh is a roughly 400-line shell-based coding agent harness built with no dependencies beyond sh, curl, and awk, aimed at developers who want something minimal and portable rather than a pod or sandbox platform. It's free and open source (MIT license) with no pricing page. The clear limitation is scope: it's an agent harness, not a sandboxing or server-hosting solution, so it solves a different problem than pi pod.
How to choose
If you want to stay self-hosted and free like pi pod, Sandock or Boxes.dev are the closest in spirit but add paid tiers for persistence and cloud compute. If your team needs shared infrastructure, Runtime is built for that at a higher price. If you want metered, no-setup compute, PaperPod's pay-per-millisecond model is the most flexible. BrowserPod suits Node.js-specific browser sandboxes, while Shellular and Pu.sh solve adjacent problems (mobile access and a minimal shell harness) rather than full sandbox hosting.
FAQ
Is pi pod free? Yes, it's free and open source and self-hosted, though a hosted version with its own pricing is coming soon.
Which alternative is closest to pi pod's self-hosted model? Sandock offers persistent Docker workspaces you manage, though unlike pi pod it has no free tier.
Which option has no stated pricing at all? Shellular and Pu.sh both currently list no pricing information.