Comparison
langchain vs ell
Verdict
Pick langchain if langChain framework tailored for Elixir projects; pick ell if ell is a Python-based language model development library and prompt engineering tool.
Markdown twin · langchain alternatives · ell alternatives
GraphCanon updated 2w
Trust & integrity
| Signal | langchain | ell |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | Very active (1d since push) As of 2w · github_public_v1 | Dormant (417d since push) As of 4w · github_public_v1 |
| Provenance | Not a fork · Personal account As of 2w · github_public_v1 | Not a fork · Personal account As of 4w · github_public_v1 |
| OSV dependency advisories | No lockfile (source not queried) As of 1mo · osv@v1 | No lockfile (source not queried) As of 1mo · osv@v1 |
| deps.dev advisories | Not queried deps.dev@v1 | Not queried deps.dev@v1 |
| OpenSSF Scorecard | Not queried openssf-scorecard@v1 | Not queried openssf-scorecard@v1 |
Tagline
- langchain
- Elixir implementation of a LangChain style framework for integrating with and leveraging LLMs.
- ell
- A language model programming library
Stars
- langchain
- 1.2k
- ell
- 5.9k
Forks
- langchain
- 212
- ell
- 343
Open issues
- langchain
- 30
- ell
- 186
Language
- langchain
- Elixir
- ell
- Python
Adopt for
- langchain
- LangChain framework tailored for Elixir projects
- ell
- ell is a Python-based language model development library and prompt engineering tool.
Persona
- langchain
- -
- ell
- -
Runtime
- langchain
- -
- ell
- -
License
- langchain
- Other
- ell
- MIT - Permissive free software license
Last pushed
- langchain
- Aug 6, 2026
- ell
- Jun 5, 2025
Categories
- langchain
- LLM Frameworks
- ell
- LLM Frameworks
Trust and health
Maintenance
- langchain
- Very active (96%)
- ell
- Dormant (18%)
Days since push
- langchain
- 1d
- ell
- 417d
Open issues (now)
- langchain
- 30
- ell
- 186
Full report
- langchain
- Trust report
- ell
- Trust report
Choose langchain if…
- langchain is primarily Elixir; ell is Python.
- License: langchain is Other, ell is MIT.
- Requirements: Requires at least Elixir 1.17; Add `langchain` to dep list in `mix.exs` for installation.
- Tags unique to langchain: anthropic, bumblebee, chatgpt, claude-ai.
- You are working on an Elixir project and want to integrate advanced Language Model capabilities.
When NOT to use langchain
- Your project is not written in Elixir, as this framework does not offer official support for other programming languages.
- If your requirements mandate a non-Elixir environment or dependency ecosystem, such as Python which has more mature LLM frameworks.
Choose ell if…
- ell is primarily Python; langchain is Elixir.
- License: ell is MIT, langchain is Other.
- Pricing: Free to use under MIT License, with no premium plans mentioned..
- Tags unique to ell: prompt-engineering.
- When you require a dedicated Python framework for developing custom language models and fine-tuning them with specific prompts for your application.
When NOT to use ell
- If you prefer JavaScript or other languages over Python, consider alternative frameworks that support the language of your choice.
Explore
Sources
Every stat on this page traces to a dated GitHub sync, license file, enrichment field, or trust scan.
- GitHub stars (brainlid/langchain) · observed Aug 8, 2026
- GitHub forks (brainlid/langchain) · observed Aug 8, 2026
- Last push (brainlid/langchain) · observed Aug 6, 2026
- License file (Other) · observed Aug 8, 2026
- Decision facts (enrichment) · observed Jul 12, 2026
- Trust scan (lockfile / OSV) · observed Jul 11, 2026
- GitHub stars (MadcowD/ell) · observed Jul 28, 2026
- GitHub forks (MadcowD/ell) · observed Jul 28, 2026
- Last push (MadcowD/ell) · observed Jun 5, 2025
- License file (MIT) · observed Jul 28, 2026
- Decision facts (enrichment) · observed Jul 17, 2026
- Trust scan (lockfile / OSV) · observed Jul 11, 2026
GitHub stars on cards: langchain 1.2k · ell 5.9k (synced Aug 8, 2026).
Common questions
- What is the difference between langchain and ell?
- langchain: Elixir implementation of a LangChain style framework for integrating with and leveraging LLMs.. ell: A language model programming library. See the comparison table for live GitHub stats and shared categories.
- When should I choose langchain over ell?
- Choose langchain over ell when langchain is primarily Elixir; ell is Python; License: langchain is Other, ell is MIT; Requirements: Requires at least Elixir 1.17; Add
langchainto dep list inmix.exsfor installation; Tags unique to langchain: anthropic, bumblebee, chatgpt, claude-ai; You are working on an Elixir project and want to integrate advanced Language Model capabilities. - When should I choose ell over langchain?
- Choose ell over langchain when ell is primarily Python; langchain is Elixir; License: ell is MIT, langchain is Other; Pricing: Free to use under MIT License, with no premium plans mentioned.; Tags unique to ell: prompt-engineering; When you require a dedicated Python framework for developing custom language models and fine-tuning them with specific prompts for your application.
- When should I avoid langchain?
- Your project is not written in Elixir, as this framework does not offer official support for other programming languages. If your requirements mandate a non-Elixir environment or dependency ecosystem, such as Python which has more mature LLM frameworks.
- When should I avoid ell?
- If you prefer JavaScript or other languages over Python, consider alternative frameworks that support the language of your choice.
- Is langchain or ell more popular on GitHub?
- ell has more GitHub stars (5,869 vs 1,192). Stars measure visibility, not whether either tool fits your constraints.
- Are langchain and ell open source?
- Yes - both are open-source projects on GitHub (langchain: Other, ell: MIT).
- Where can I find alternatives to langchain or ell?
- GraphCanon lists graph-backed alternatives at langchain alternatives and ell alternatives (langchain markdown twin, ell markdown twin), ranked by typed relationship edges rather than popularity votes.
- Is there a machine-readable version of this comparison?
- Yes. The markdown twin at this comparison mirrors this page for agents and LLM crawlers, with the same stats table and FAQ answers.
- Which is better maintained, langchain or ell?
- langchain: Very active. ell: Dormant. Compare maintenance labels, days since push, and release cadence in the trust section below - stars alone do not measure maintenance.
- Where are the full trust reports for langchain and ell?
- GraphCanon publishes per-repo trust reports with dated maintenance, provenance, and scan summaries: langchain trust report; ell trust report.