AgentIndex icon
AgentIndex
agent-framework logo
agent-framework
★ 14.3k
vs
adk-python logo
adk-python
★ 22.0k

agent-framework vs adk-python

agent-framework: Microsoft Agent Framework is a comprehensive multi-language framework for building, orchestrating, and deploying AI agents. It supports both .NET and Python, offering features from simple chat agents to complex multi-agent workflows with graph-based orchestration.; adk-python: ADK (Agent Development Kit) is an open-source, code-first Python framework designed for building, evaluating, and deploying sophisticated AI agents with high flexibility and control. It simplifies the creation and orchestration of agent workflows, supporting everything from simple tasks to complex multi-agent systems, while being model and deployment agnostic.

Editorial Head-to-Head Analysis

Microsoft Agent Framework offers first-class .NET and Python packages with Azure/Foundry integration; Google ADK is Apache-2.0 and targets Google Cloud and Gemini workflows.

01

TL;DR

agent-framework logo
agent-frameworkMulti-Agent · ★ 14.3k
When to choose:
  • You are starting a new Microsoft-ecosystem agent project in Python or .NET and want the official successor to AutoGen.
  • You need built-in workflow checkpointing, middleware, OpenTelemetry tracing, declarative YAML agents, and a DevUI under MIT.
When to skip:
  • You only need a small, single-file Python agent without a multi-package framework; Pydantic AI is lighter.
  • You rely on Chinese LLM providers and realtime voice pipelines out of the box; AgentScope has dedicated support for those.
Read agent-framework full review →
adk-python logo
adk-pythonMulti-Agent · ★ 22.0k
When to choose:
  • You want Google's Apache-2.0, code-first toolkit with graph workflows, multi-agent hierarchies, a built-in dev UI, and evaluation tooling.
  • Your team deploys on Google Cloud (Cloud Run or Vertex AI Agent Engine) or works across Python and ADK's other language editions.
When to skip:
  • Your infrastructure is centred on Azure and .NET; Microsoft Agent Framework is tailored to that stack.
  • You want a visual low-code workflow builder rather than writing Python code; n8n or Activepieces fit better.
Read adk-python full review →
02

Side-by-Side Comparison

Field
agent-framework logoagent-framework
adk-python logoadk-python
Category
Multi-Agent
Multi-Agent
Stars
★ 14.3k
★ 22.0k
License
MIT
Apache-2.0
Install Command
pip install agent-framework
pip install google-adk
Updated
1d ago
1d ago
Open Source
Yes
Yes
Website
↗ Visit
↗ Visit
GitHub
↗ GitHub
↗ GitHub
Tags
AI Agents, Multi-agent systems, Workflow orchestration
AI Agents, Python, Framework
03

Features

agent-framework logoagent-framework
01Graph-based Workflows with streaming, checkpointing, human-in-the-loop, and time-travel capabilities.
02AF Labs for experimental features including benchmarking, reinforcement learning, and research initiatives.
03Interactive DevUI for agent development, testing, and debugging workflows.
04Full framework support for both Python and C#/.NET with consistent APIs.
05Built-in OpenTelemetry integration for distributed tracing, monitoring, and debugging.
adk-python logoadk-python
01Rich Tool Ecosystem
02Code-First Development
03Agent Config
04Modular Multi-Agent Systems
05Deploy Anywhere
04

Use Cases

agent-framework logoagent-framework
↳Developing simple chat agents.
↳Building complex multi-agent workflows.
↳Orchestrating AI agents using graph-based methodologies.
adk-python logoadk-python
↳Building and deploying sophisticated AI agents from simple tasks to complex systems.
↳Orchestrating complex agent workflows with flexibility and control.
↳Designing and implementing scalable modular multi-agent systems.
05

Best For

agent-framework logoagent-framework
Most PopularEssentialTrending
adk-python logoadk-python
Most PopularEssentialTrending
FAQ

FAQ

What is the difference between agent-framework and adk-python?
Microsoft Agent Framework offers first-class .NET and Python packages with Azure/Foundry integration; Google ADK is Apache-2.0 and targets Google Cloud and Gemini workflows.
Which is better, agent-framework or adk-python?
The best choice depends on your use case. Choose agent-framework if Developing simple chat agents., and adk-python if Building and deploying sophisticated AI agents from simple tasks to complex systems..
Is agent-framework free or open source?
Yes, agent-framework is open source on GitHub (MIT).
Is adk-python free or open source?
Yes, adk-python is open source on GitHub (Apache-2.0).
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