# Microsoft Agent Framework [08 agent-communication](https://www.agentlist.io/categories/agent-communication)/[Microsoft](https://www.agentlist.io/ai/microsoft)/ACTIVE/aka AutoGen, Semantic Kernel Agent Framework, Magentic Microsoft Agent Framework is the successor to AutoGen and Semantic Kernel's agent pieces — one OSS framework (Python and .NET) for single agents, multi-agent graphs, and Magentic-style orchestration. - [Multi-agent orchestration](https://www.agentlist.io/capabilities/multi-agent) - [Tool calling](https://www.agentlist.io/capabilities/tool-calling) - [API-native](https://www.agentlist.io/capabilities/api-native) - [Workflow builder](https://www.agentlist.io/capabilities/workflow-builder) SEC.01 ## What it does - 01Python and .NET SDKs - 02Graph-based orchestration - 03Magentic multi-agent pattern - 04Azure Foundry hosting - 05OpenTelemetry tracing SEC.02 ## Who it's for Azure/.NET shops, or anyone who liked AutoGen's research lineage under a fully supported framework. PRICING ## Pricing Free OSS (MIT); Azure hosting via Foundry. List prices as checked against the vendor's pricing page on 2026-09-25; plans change often, so confirm before deciding. caveat · before you adopt Fresh rebrand — docs and samples still transition from AutoGen/SK naming, and the managed path assumes Azure. ALT ## Other agent communication platforms (12) [OpenScout / Scout OpenScout · agent-communication cli/api · local · Free (OSS), local](https://www.agentlist.io/systems/scout) [A2A Protocol A2A Project · agent-communication api · local/cloud · Open protocol (free)](https://www.agentlist.io/systems/a2a) [AGNTCY AGNTCY · agent-communication api · local/cloud · Free (OSS, Apache-2.0)](https://www.agentlist.io/systems/agntcy) [Agent Network Protocol Community / OSS · agent-communication api · local/cloud · Open protocol (free)](https://www.agentlist.io/systems/anp) [NANDA NANDA (MIT Media Lab) · agent-communication api · local/cloud · Free (research project)](https://www.agentlist.io/systems/nanda) [BeeAI IBM · agent-communication api/cli · local/cloud · Free (OSS, Apache-2.0)](https://www.agentlist.io/systems/beeai) [CrewAI CrewAI · agent-communication api/cli · local/cloud · Free OSS core; CrewAI Enterprise paid (verify)](https://www.agentlist.io/systems/crewai) [LangGraph LangChain · agent-communication api · local/cloud · Free OSS; LangGraph Platform paid tiers](https://www.agentlist.io/systems/langgraph) [MetaGPT DeepWisdom · agent-communication api/cli · local/cloud · Free OSS; MGX hosted product paid (verify)](https://www.agentlist.io/systems/metagpt) [CAMEL CAMEL-AI · agent-communication api · local/cloud · Free (OSS, Apache-2.0)](https://www.agentlist.io/systems/camel) [Agency Swarm VRSEN · agent-communication api · local/cloud · Free (OSS)](https://www.agentlist.io/systems/agency-swarm) [OpenAI Agents SDK OpenAI · agent-communication api · local/cloud · Free (OSS SDK); model usage metered](https://www.agentlist.io/systems/openai-agents-sdk) VS ## Head-to-head (1) - [→Microsoft Agent Framework vs CrewAI](https://www.agentlist.io/compare/crewai-vs-agent-framework) FAQ ## Frequently asked ### What is Microsoft Agent Framework? Microsoft Agent Framework is the successor to AutoGen and Semantic Kernel's agent pieces — one OSS framework (Python and .NET) for single agents, multi-agent graphs, and Magentic-style orchestration. ### Who is Microsoft Agent Framework for? Azure/.NET shops, or anyone who liked AutoGen's research lineage under a fully supported framework. ### How much does Microsoft Agent Framework cost? Free OSS (MIT); Azure hosting via Foundry. List prices as checked against the vendor's pricing page on 2026-09-25; plans change often, so confirm before deciding. ### Does Microsoft Agent Framework run locally or in the cloud? Microsoft Agent Framework runs locally on your machine and in the vendor's cloud. Its interfaces are an API or protocol. ### What are alternatives to Microsoft Agent Framework? Other agent communication platform entries in the catalog: OpenScout / Scout, A2A Protocol, AGNTCY, Agent Network Protocol, NANDA, BeeAI, CrewAI, LangGraph, MetaGPT, CAMEL, Agency Swarm, OpenAI Agents SDK. Different categories solve the same problem differently — see the Agent communication & collaboration category page for tradeoffs. ### What should I know before adopting Microsoft Agent Framework? Fresh rebrand — docs and samples still transition from AutoGen/SK naming, and the managed path assumes Azure. Spec sheet **Name**: Microsoft Agent Framework **Vendor**: [Microsoft](https://www.agentlist.io/ai/microsoft) **Category**: [Agent communication & collaboration](https://www.agentlist.io/categories/agent-communication) **Interfaces**: api **Hosting**: local · cloud **Pricing**: Free OSS (MIT); Azure hosting via Foundry **Status**: actively maintained **Integrates**: - [MCP servers](https://www.agentlist.io/integrations/mcp-servers) **Speaks**: - [MCP (Model Context Protocol)](https://www.agentlist.io/transports/mcp) **Aliases**: AutoGen, Semantic Kernel Agent Framework, Magentic **Record ID**: `sys://microsoft/agent-framework` **Verified**: [2026-09-25](https://www.agentlist.io/changelog) Sources - [↗ www.microsoft.com](https://www.microsoft.com/) - [↗ github.com/microsoft/agent-framework](https://github.com/microsoft/agent-framework) - [↗ learn.microsoft.com/en-us/agent-framework/](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/agent-framework/) Catalog entries are editorial records, not paid placements or endorsements. Pricing and status are approximate as of the seed date. --- Source: [Microsoft Agent Framework — AGENT-COMMS by Microsoft | agentlist.io](https://www.agentlist.io/systems/agent-framework). This is the public page rendered as Markdown; interactive controls require the website.