Comparison
surf vs autogen
Verdict
Pick surf when surf is primarily TypeScript; autogen is Python; pick autogen when autogen is primarily Python; surf is TypeScript.
Markdown twin · surf alternatives · autogen alternatives
GraphCanon updated today
Trust & integrity
| Signal | surf | autogen |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | Very active (4d since push) As of today · github_public_v1 | Steady (87d since push) As of 3d · github_public_v1 |
| Provenance | Not a fork · Organization account As of today · github_public_v1 | Not a fork · Organization account As of 3d · github_public_v1 |
| OSV dependency advisories | No lockfile (source not queried) As of today · osv@v1 | No lockfile (source not queried) As of 4d · 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
- surf
- Surf is a computer use AI agent powered by OpenAI that interacts with a E2B's virtual desktop environment through natural language instructions
- autogen
- A programming framework for agentic AI
Stars
- surf
- 824
- autogen
- 60k
Forks
- surf
- 142
- autogen
- 9.0k
Open issues
- surf
- 11
- autogen
- 945
Language
- surf
- TypeScript
- autogen
- Python
Adopt for
- surf
- -
- autogen
- AutoGen is a Python-based framework for developing and managing agentic AI systems. It includes the AutoGen Studio for no-code GUI setup, integrating with various models.
Persona
- surf
- -
- autogen
- -
Runtime
- surf
- -
- autogen
- -
License
- surf
- Apache-2.0
- autogen
- CC-BY-4.0
Last pushed
- surf
- Jul 10, 2026
- autogen
- Apr 15, 2026
Categories
- surf
- AI Agents
- autogen
- AI Agents, LLM Frameworks
Trust and health
Maintenance
- surf
- Very active (96%)
- autogen
- Steady (60%)
Days since push
- surf
- 4d
- autogen
- 87d
Open issues (now)
- surf
- 11
- autogen
- 945
Full report
- surf
- Trust report
- autogen
- Trust report
Choose surf if…
- surf is primarily TypeScript; autogen is Python.
- License: surf is Apache-2.0, autogen is CC-BY-4.0.
- Tags unique to surf: automation, cua, desktop, e2b.
When NOT to use surf
- AI Agents: Don't use an agent loop when a deterministic workflow would do; agents add latency, cost, and non-determinism.
Choose autogen if…
- autogen is primarily Python; surf is TypeScript.
- License: autogen is CC-BY-4.0, surf is Apache-2.0.
- Requirements: Min 4 GB RAM; AutoGen requires Python 3.10 or later.; Ensure security when connecting to MCP servers due to the potential for local command execution and sensitive information exposure..
- Tags unique to autogen: agentic-agi, agents, autogen, autogen-ecosystem.
- Also covers LLM Frameworks.
- You need a framework that supports integration with multiple AI models via OpenAI's chat completion client.
When NOT to use autogen
- If you require tools supporting multiple programming languages beyond Python, as AutoGen is strictly a Python-based framework.
- When deploying in environments where connecting to external servers (like those used by MCP) could pose security risks or is prohibited.
- You need solutions which do not involve additional installations for server components such as `playwright/mcp`, as AutoGen requires this setup for certain functionalities.
Explore
Sources
Every stat on this page traces to a dated GitHub sync, license file, enrichment field, or trust scan.
- GitHub stars (e2b-dev/surf) · observed Jul 15, 2026
- GitHub forks (e2b-dev/surf) · observed Jul 15, 2026
- Last push (e2b-dev/surf) · observed Jul 10, 2026
- License file (Apache-2.0) · observed Jul 15, 2026
- Trust scan (lockfile / OSV) · observed Jul 15, 2026
- GitHub stars (microsoft/autogen) · observed Jul 11, 2026
- GitHub forks (microsoft/autogen) · observed Jul 11, 2026
- Last push (microsoft/autogen) · observed Apr 15, 2026
- License file (CC-BY-4.0) · observed Jul 11, 2026
- Decision facts (enrichment) · observed Jul 11, 2026
- Trust scan (lockfile / OSV) · observed Jul 11, 2026
GitHub stars on cards: surf 824 · autogen 60k (synced Jul 15, 2026).
Common questions
- What is the difference between surf and autogen?
- surf: Surf is a computer use AI agent powered by OpenAI that interacts with a E2B's virtual desktop environment through natural language instructions. autogen: A programming framework for agentic AI. See the comparison table for live GitHub stats and shared categories.
- When should I choose surf over autogen?
- Choose surf over autogen when surf is primarily TypeScript; autogen is Python; License: surf is Apache-2.0, autogen is CC-BY-4.0; Tags unique to surf: automation, cua, desktop, e2b.
- When should I choose autogen over surf?
- Choose autogen over surf when autogen is primarily Python; surf is TypeScript; License: autogen is CC-BY-4.0, surf is Apache-2.0; Requirements: Min 4 GB RAM; AutoGen requires Python 3.10 or later.; Ensure security when connecting to MCP servers due to the potential for local command execution and sensitive information exposure.; Tags unique to autogen: agentic-agi, agents, autogen, autogen-ecosystem; Also covers LLM Frameworks; You need a framework that supports integration with multiple AI models via OpenAI's chat completion client.
- When should I avoid surf?
- AI Agents: Don't use an agent loop when a deterministic workflow would do; agents add latency, cost, and non-determinism.
- When should I avoid autogen?
- If you require tools supporting multiple programming languages beyond Python, as AutoGen is strictly a Python-based framework. When deploying in environments where connecting to external servers (like those used by MCP) could pose security risks or is prohibited. You need solutions which do not involve additional installations for server components such as
playwright/mcp, as AutoGen requires this setup for certain functionalities. - Is surf or autogen more popular on GitHub?
- autogen has more GitHub stars (59,658 vs 824). Stars measure visibility, not whether either tool fits your constraints.
- Are surf and autogen open source?
- Yes - both are open-source projects on GitHub (surf: Apache-2.0, autogen: CC-BY-4.0).
- Where can I find alternatives to surf or autogen?
- GraphCanon lists graph-backed alternatives at surf alternatives and autogen alternatives (surf markdown twin, autogen 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, surf or autogen?
- surf: Very active. autogen: Steady. 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 surf and autogen?
- GraphCanon publishes per-repo trust reports with dated maintenance, provenance, and scan summaries: surf trust report; autogen trust report.