Microsoft's single agent SDK, bringing Semantic Kernel and AutoGen into one thing. Built by Microsoft.
Others in vendor sdk
Claude Agent SDKClaude Code as a library you can run yourself.
Google ADKGoogle's agent toolkit, from the loop up, runnable with no API key.
OpenAI Agent Builder
OpenAI Agents SDKOpenAI's own agent loop, with handoffs and guardrails.Common questions
Is Microsoft Agent Framework free to use?
Microsoft Agent Framework is open source and free to run yourself. You still pay whichever model provider you point it at, and this tutorial is free with no signup.
Do I need to know Python to use Microsoft Agent Framework?
Basic Python is enough. Functions, dictionaries and imports cover most of what Microsoft Agent Framework asks of you.
When should I not use Microsoft Agent Framework?
When something else in vendor sdk fits the job better. The others in that group are listed below.
Lessons for Microsoft Agent Framework are being written. Meanwhile the APIs for AI tutorial covers the same ground: state, tools, loops, memory and human approval. Most of it carries straight over.
Start the APIs for AI tutorial →