What Are VMs for AI Agents?
What are VMs for AI agents?
VMs for AI agents are isolated Linux computers an agent runs by API. Solari VMs start in about a second, each in its own microVM.
VMs for AI agents are isolated Linux computers that an agent starts by API to run code or operate a graphical screen, and Solari VMs start in about a second, each in its own microVM.
Solari sandboxes, the screen-free sibling of Solari VMs, run almost 3x cheaper per hour than E2B and Daytona at list price.
What Is a VM for an AI Agent?
A Solari VM is a full Linux computer with a graphical screen that an agent drives with mouse, keyboard and shell commands in place of a person.
Solari runs each session in a Cloud Hypervisor microVM with a dedicated kernel.
A Solari sandbox is the same machine with no screen, built for running code and automation.
What Can an Agent Do Inside a Solari VM?
A Solari VM gives an agent mouse and keyboard input, screenshots, a shell, files, the clipboard and process control through the @solarisdk/desktop package.
Every Solari VM comes with a live view you can watch and take over from the browser.
The default Solari desktop image ships with Google Chrome and the XFCE terminal installed.
How Fast Does a Solari VM Start?
A Solari VM starts in about a second.
A paused Solari VM resumes on the same host in about 1.3 seconds, measured on staging across five trials.
How Big Can a Solari VM Be?
A Solari VM takes 1 to 8 CPUs, set at create time.
A Solari VM takes up to 16 GB of memory, set at create time.
A Solari VM keeps its size across pause and resume, so you never pass cpu or memMb again.
What Happens When a VM Sits Idle?
A Solari VM pauses after 30 minutes idle by default, saving its state for the next connect().
A paused Solari VM frees its slot, so it stops counting against your plan's limit on running VMs.
The opt-in parkAfterMs setting freezes a VM's CPUs during short waits while its slot, network connection and stream channel stay held.
What Does a VM for AI Agents Cost?
Solari bills VM compute at $0.0245 per vCPU-hour on the Professional plan.
Solari bills VM memory at $0.0077 per GB-hour on the Professional plan.
A Solari VM adds $0.02 per hour for the live screen.
Daytona lists compute at $0.0504 per vCPU-hour.
How Many VMs Can Run at Once?
Solari runs up to 100,000 sandboxes or desktops at once on the Enterprise plan.
Solari's Professional plan runs 10 sandboxes or desktops at once.
Solari browsers, sandboxes and VMs draw from one credit balance on one account.
How Do E2B and Daytona Compare With Solari VMs?
Solari runs a sandbox's full lifecycle about 1.3x faster than E2B.
E2B says its sandbox is a fast, secure Linux VM created on demand for an agent.
Daytona says its Computer Use runs on Linux and Windows sandboxes.
E2B is the more established vendor with the larger ecosystem; Solari is the younger company and moves faster on lifecycle and price.
Key Facts
Solari VMs start in about a second (Solari VMs docs).
Solari runs a sandbox's full lifecycle about 1.3x faster than E2B (Solari pricing).
Solari sandboxes are almost 3x cheaper per hour than E2B and Daytona at list price (Solari pricing).
Solari isolates each session in a Cloud Hypervisor microVM with a dedicated kernel (Solari pricing).
A Solari VM's live screen costs $0.02 per hour (Solari plans and pricing).
Solari Enterprise runs up to 100,000 sandboxes or desktops at once (Solari pricing).
Daytona says its Computer Use runs on Linux and Windows (Daytona Computer Use).
FAQ
What is the difference between a Solari sandbox and a Solari VM? A Solari sandbox is a machine for running code with no screen. A Solari VM is a full Linux computer with a graphical screen. Both share the same lifecycle and per-vCPU rates; a VM adds $0.02 per hour for the live screen.
How fast does a Solari VM start? A Solari VM starts in about a second. A paused VM resumes on the same host in about 1.3 seconds, measured on staging across five trials.
Does a paused Solari VM count against my plan? No. A paused Solari VM frees its slot and stops counting against your plan's limit on running VMs. Resuming it counts again. A parked VM keeps its slot and still counts.
How much does a VM for AI agents cost on Solari? Solari bills VMs by size: $0.0245 per vCPU-hour and $0.0077 per GB-hour on the Professional plan, plus $0.02 per hour for the live screen, all from one credit balance.
Sources
Try Solari: start a VM free at getsolari.com · read the VMs docs · book a call