Cube vs InstaBox
InstaBox is built for spinning up agent machines in under a second. Cube is built for the one computer your agents keep coming back to.
Published
The short version
InstaBox, from InsForge, launched on 14 October 2026 as “cloud computers for AI agents”. Each machine is a Firecracker microVM that starts in under a second: Debian, root through sudo, Docker inside, and Claude Code and Codex preinstalled. A browser template adds a Linux desktop for computer use, and any port can get a public HTTPS URL. Machines pause after 30 minutes idle and wake when you connect. It’s API-first: a REST API, a TypeScript SDK and a CLI. For now it’s free, with five fixed-size machines per account.
Cube is a persistent Linux computer in the cloud that you size for your work, up to 16 CPUs and 128 GB of memory. You drive it from an app on your Mac, in any browser or on your phone: Studio shows every repo, worktree and terminal, and apps from Market run right on the machine.
Side by side
| InstaBox | Cube | |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Many fixed-size Firecracker microVMs | One computer for your agents |
| Size | 4 vCPU, 8 GB RAM, 20 GB disk, fixed for now | 2 to 16 CPUs, 4 to 128 GB RAM, 10 to 500 GB disk |
| Start time | Under a second; resumes in about a second | About two minutes the first time; then always on |
| When idle | Pauses after 30 minutes (configurable); files, memory and processes kept | Runs until you pause it; files stay when paused |
| Snapshots | Yes, up to 10; start new machines from them | Download a backup from the Machine app |
| Computer use | Desktop and Chromium template, with screenshot and click APIs | Not built in |
| Public ports | Any port gets an HTTPS URL, up to 16 per machine | Dev servers open at localhost on your Mac |
| Agents | Claude Code and Codex preinstalled; bring your own keys | Claude Code, Codex and OpenCode preinstalled; 18 more in one click; use your own subscriptions |
| Interface | API, TypeScript SDK, CLI, dashboard, SSH | Mac app, any browser, phone, and SSH |
| Apps | No | Install apps from Market or build your own with cube.json |
| Price | Free for now: 5 machines per account | By the minute while running; about $20.50/month for 2 CPUs and 8 GB running 24/7; $25 of free credit to start |
| Availability | Launched with invite codes | Open to everyone |
When to choose InstaBox
- You’re building a product or pipeline that starts agent machines from code.
- You want identical machines in under a second, cloned from snapshots.
- Your agents need a desktop and a browser to drive, or public URLs to share.
When to choose Cube
- You want one machine that keeps your repos, tools and sign-ins, sized for your work.
- You want an app to watch and steer your agents from your Mac, a browser or your phone, with every repo, worktree and terminal in one place.
- You want to run apps next to your agents, from Market or your own.
- You want to start today, without an invite.
Questions
What is InstaBox?
A service from InsForge, a Y Combinator company, that launched on 14 October 2026. Each machine is a Firecracker microVM running Debian, with root through sudo, a persistent /data disk, and Claude Code and Codex preinstalled. It's driven through an API, a TypeScript SDK and a CLI.
How much does InstaBox cost?
As of October 2026 it's free: every account gets 5 machines, each with 4 vCPUs, 8 GB of memory and 20 GB of storage. InstaBox says paid pricing comes later. Accounts are limited to 200 GB of storage.
Can I use InstaBox today?
It launched with invite codes for new accounts. Cube is open to everyone: sign in with GitHub and new accounts start with $25 of free credit.
When should I choose InstaBox?
When you want many short-lived, identical agent machines from code, with a desktop and browser for computer use, snapshots to clone from, and public URLs for any port.