#1 pickVerified
OpenAI Agents SDK
The fastest way to a working agent with tools, handoffs and guardrails, without learning a large framework first. Open source and not locked to one model provider.
Free tierOpen sourceVisit OpenAI Agents SDK ↗
Our pickReviewed
Best AI agent framework
The OpenAI Agents SDK is our pick for shipping a first production agent: a small set of primitives, works with other model providers, and is MIT-licensed. Use LangGraph for complex stateful agents, Mastra if you're a TypeScript team, and CrewAI for role-based multi-agent setups.
Editorial picks
Alternative 1Verified
LangGraph (LangChain)
A mature, widely used option for complex, stateful agents with explicit control flow, plus LangSmith for tracing and evals.
Free tierOpen sourcefrom $39/moVisit LangGraph (LangChain) ↗
Alternative 2Verified
Mastra
TypeScript-first agents with workflows and memory. The natural fit for Next.js and Node teams.
Free tierOpen sourcefrom $250/moVisit Mastra ↗
Open-source pickVerified
CrewAI
MIT-licensed Python framework for role-based agent 'crews' and flows, with a free hosted tier for small workloads.
Free tierOpen sourceVisit CrewAI ↗
Editorial picks are never paid for. How we make money.
How we picked
- Simple to start
- Scales to real production
- Language fit (Python / TypeScript)
- Observability
Prices are checked against each vendor's official pricing page. Our methodology.
When to switch
Your agent needs complex branching and durable state
→ Move to LangGraph (LangChain). LangGraph models explicit state machines and long-running workflows.
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FAQ
Do I need an agent framework at all?
Not always. For chat features or a single tool-calling loop inside a web app, a toolkit like the Vercel AI SDK may be enough. Reach for a framework when you need handoffs, durable state or many tools.
What about no-code agents?
If you'd rather wire agents visually, n8n lets you build AI workflows with a visual editor and self-host the Community edition for free.
How much do agent frameworks cost?
The frameworks themselves are free and open source (Mastra's enterprise features use a separate commercial licence). You pay for model usage, and optionally for hosted tracing or deployment platforms like LangSmith or Mastra Cloud.