---
title: Sandbox and production differences
slug: get-started/quickstart/sandbox-and-production-differences
description: Discover the key differences between the Sandbox and Production environments.
docTags: 
createdAt: 2025-10-21T07:49:31.175Z
---

## Differences between sandbox and production

The Sandbox environment uses test data and special endpoints designed for simulation.
 While it mirrors production behavior, there are several key differences to be aware of. 

| Function                                                                                                         | Sandbox | Production |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------- | ---------- |
| Uses standard product and program settings                                                                       | ✅       |            |
| Provides a test environment only, no real money movement occurs.                                                 | ✅       |            |
| Card interactions in Sandbox are fully simulated. No real card activity or payment processing occurs.            | ✅       |            |
| Can test simulation APIs (Cards and Wires also via [Postman](docId\:Fb95IuTT_D2JMljOJPHHb))                      | ✅       |            |
| Uses your configured product and program setup.                                                                  |         | ✅          |
| Enables real-world transactions, including ATM withdrawals, refunds, and ACH deposits.                           |         | ✅          |
| Operates on live customer data.                                                                                  |         | ✅          |
| Executes live transactions that move real funds.                                                                 |         | ✅          |
| Uses real cards. Virtual, physical, or both, to validate end-to-end transaction flows and common user scenarios. |         | ✅          |
| Transfer limits. by frequency or amount, may apply based on your program’s configuration and rules.              |         | ✅          |

Sandbox is a **non-production environment** and behaves differently from production systems in terms of data handling, stability, and security controls. 

Sandbox is intended to simulate behavior, not replicate production data scenarios** using real data**.

**Always use test data in sandbox environments.**

## ⚠️ Important: Do not use real customer data

**Do not use real customer data in sandbox under any circumstances. **

This includes:

- Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
- Names, email addresses, phone numbers
- Account numbers or financial identifiers
- Any data that belongs to a real individual or business
- Any data that could be traced back to a real customer

## Why this matters

Sandbox is designed for testing, not data protection or storage of sensitive information. Using real data in Sandbox may result in:

- Data exposure in logs or debugging tools
- Unintended visibility to support or engineering teams
- Mixing of test and production data patterns
- Compliance and regulatory risk for your organization

## Additional information

- [Sandbox](docId:_KAqyVqVNUAGQnekFKCUy) 
- [Sandbox environments](docId\:YDqX1Hwsn_f6TZ4tdMY0t)