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Microsoft Agent Framework

08 agent-communication/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.

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

A2A Protocol

A2A Project · agent-communication

api · local/cloud · Open protocol (free)

AGNTCY

AGNTCY · agent-communication

api · local/cloud · Free (OSS, Apache-2.0)

Agent Network Protocol

Community / OSS · agent-communication

api · local/cloud · Open protocol (free)

NANDA

NANDA (MIT Media Lab) · agent-communication

api · local/cloud · Free (research project)

BeeAI

IBM · agent-communication

api/cli · local/cloud · Free (OSS, Apache-2.0)

CrewAI

CrewAI · agent-communication

api/cli · local/cloud · Free OSS core; CrewAI Enterprise paid (verify)

LangGraph

LangChain · agent-communication

api · local/cloud · Free OSS; LangGraph Platform paid tiers

MetaGPT

DeepWisdom · agent-communication

api/cli · local/cloud · Free OSS; MGX hosted product paid (verify)

CAMEL

CAMEL-AI · agent-communication

api · local/cloud · Free (OSS, Apache-2.0)

Agency Swarm

VRSEN · agent-communication

api · local/cloud · Free (OSS)

OpenAI Agents SDK

OpenAI · agent-communication

api · local/cloud · Free (OSS SDK); model usage metered
VS

Head-to-head (1)

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.