Comparison
traceAI vs tracecat
Verdict
Pick traceAI if traceAI is an open-source observability framework for AI applications, built on OpenTelemetry, that provides structured tracing for LLM calls, prompts, token counts, retrieval steps, and agent decisions; pick tracecat if an open-source security automation platform with features encompassing custom agent building, sandboxed execution of untrusted code, and integration with enterprise tools.
Markdown twin · traceAI alternatives · tracecat alternatives
GraphCanon updated Sep 20, 2026
vs
Trust & integrity
| Signal | traceAI | tracecat |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | Active (21d since push) As of Sep 18, 2026 · github_public_v1 | Very active (0d since push) As of Sep 18, 2026 · github_public_v1 |
| Provenance | Not a fork · Organization account As of Sep 18, 2026 · github_public_v1 | Not a fork · Organization account As of Sep 18, 2026 · github_public_v1 |
| OSV dependency advisories | No lockfile (source not queried) As of Sep 18, 2026 · osv@v1 | No lockfile (source not queried) As of Aug 30, 2026 · 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
- traceAI
- Open-source observability for AI applications
- tracecat
- Open-source security automation platform for teams and AI agents
Stars
- traceAI
- 221
- tracecat
- 3.8k
Forks
- traceAI
- 44
- tracecat
- 416
Open issues
- traceAI
- 15
- tracecat
- 155
Language
- traceAI
- Python
- tracecat
- Python
Adopt for
- traceAI
- traceAI is an open-source observability framework for AI applications, built on OpenTelemetry, that provides structured tracing for LLM calls, prompts, token counts, retrieval steps, and agent decisions.
- tracecat
- An open-source security automation platform with features encompassing custom agent building, sandboxed execution of untrusted code, and integration with enterprise tools.
Persona
- traceAI
- -
- tracecat
- -
Runtime
- traceAI
- -
- tracecat
- -
License
- traceAI
- traceAI is available under the Apache-2.0 license, allowing for free use, modification, and distribution.
- tracecat
- AGPL-3.0
Last pushed
- traceAI
- Aug 27, 2026
- tracecat
- Sep 18, 2026
Categories
- traceAI
- Evaluation & Observability
- tracecat
- AI Agents, Evaluation & Observability
Trust and health
Maintenance
- traceAI
- Active (82%)
- tracecat
- Very active (96%)
Days since push
- traceAI
- 21d
- tracecat
- 0d
Open issues (now)
- traceAI
- 15
- tracecat
- 155
Stars delta
- traceAI
- +9 (30d)
- tracecat
- +44 (30d)
Open issues delta
- traceAI
- +4 (30d)
- tracecat
- +13 (30d)
Full report
- traceAI
- Trust report
- tracecat
- Trust report
Shared compatibility
- Node.js · traceAI: Node.js runtime · tracecat: Node.js runtime
- Python · traceAI: Python runtime · tracecat: Python runtime
Choose traceAI if…
- License: traceAI is Apache-2.0, tracecat is AGPL-3.0.
- Pricing: traceAI is free and open-source, but users may incur costs based on the backend services they choose to integrate with..
- Requirements: Min 2 GB RAM; Python, TypeScript, Java, and C# are supported.; Requires OpenTelemetry-compatible backend for trace storage and visualization..
- Tags unique to traceAI: ai, ai-agents, langchain, large-language-models.
- When you need to trace every LLM call, prompt, token count, retrieval step, and agent decision in your AI application.
When NOT to use traceAI
- If your project does not require detailed tracing of LLM calls, prompts, token counts, retrieval steps, and agent decisions.
- When you are working exclusively with a single AI framework that does not require cross-language consistency.
- If you are looking for a solution that is not open-source or does not support OpenTelemetry.
- When you prefer a vendor-specific solution over a vendor-agnostic approach.
Choose tracecat if…
- License: tracecat is AGPL-3.0, traceAI is Apache-2.0.
- Pricing: `tracecat` is available under the AGPL-3.0 license with options to access enterprise features through managed Cloud or self-hosted deployments with dedicated support..
- Requirements: Requires Docker.
- Tags unique to tracecat: agents, automation, event-driven, fastapi.
- Also covers AI Agents.
- tracecat ships Docker support for self-hosted deployment.
- When you need an all-in-one solution for automating workflows that includes agents, case management, and event-driven systems.
When NOT to use tracecat
- For teams strictly looking to use closed-source proprietary solutions for security automation platforms.
- When you prefer a tool that does not require manual setup and maintenance for sandboxed execution environments like nsjail.
Explore
Sources
Every stat on this page traces to a dated GitHub sync, license file, enrichment field, or trust scan.
- GitHub stars (future-agi/traceAI) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- GitHub forks (future-agi/traceAI) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- Last push (future-agi/traceAI) · observed Aug 27, 2026
- License file (Apache-2.0) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- Decision facts (enrichment) · observed Sep 18, 2026
- Trust scan (lockfile / OSV) · observed Sep 18, 2026
- GitHub stars (TracecatHQ/tracecat) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- GitHub forks (TracecatHQ/tracecat) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- Last push (TracecatHQ/tracecat) · observed Sep 18, 2026
- License file (AGPL-3.0) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- Decision facts (enrichment) · observed Jul 16, 2026
- Trust scan (lockfile / OSV) · observed Aug 30, 2026
GitHub stars on cards: traceAI 221 · tracecat 3.8k (synced Sep 20, 2026).
Common questions
- What is the difference between traceAI and tracecat?
- traceAI: Open-source observability for AI applications. tracecat: Open-source security automation platform for teams and AI agents. See the comparison table for live GitHub stats and shared categories.
- When should I choose traceAI over tracecat?
- Choose traceAI over tracecat when License: traceAI is Apache-2.0, tracecat is AGPL-3.0; Pricing: traceAI is free and open-source, but users may incur costs based on the backend services they choose to integrate with.; Requirements: Min 2 GB RAM; Python, TypeScript, Java, and C# are supported.; Requires OpenTelemetry-compatible backend for trace storage and visualization.; Tags unique to traceAI: ai, ai-agents, langchain, large-language-models; When you need to trace every LLM call, prompt, token count, retrieval step, and agent decision in your AI application.
- When should I choose tracecat over traceAI?
- Choose tracecat over traceAI when License: tracecat is AGPL-3.0, traceAI is Apache-2.0; Pricing:
tracecatis available under the AGPL-3.0 license with options to access enterprise features through managed Cloud or self-hosted deployments with dedicated support.; Requirements: Requires Docker; Tags unique to tracecat: agents, automation, event-driven, fastapi; Also covers AI Agents; tracecat ships Docker support for self-hosted deployment; When you need an all-in-one solution for automating workflows that includes agents, case management, and event-driven systems. - When should I avoid traceAI?
- If your project does not require detailed tracing of LLM calls, prompts, token counts, retrieval steps, and agent decisions. When you are working exclusively with a single AI framework that does not require cross-language consistency. If you are looking for a solution that is not open-source or does not support OpenTelemetry. When you prefer a vendor-specific solution over a vendor-agnostic approach.
- When should I avoid tracecat?
- For teams strictly looking to use closed-source proprietary solutions for security automation platforms. When you prefer a tool that does not require manual setup and maintenance for sandboxed execution environments like nsjail.
- Is traceAI or tracecat more popular on GitHub?
- tracecat has more GitHub stars (3,805 vs 221). Stars measure visibility, not whether either tool fits your constraints.
- Are traceAI and tracecat open source?
- Yes - both are open-source projects on GitHub (traceAI: Apache-2.0, tracecat: AGPL-3.0).
- Where can I find alternatives to traceAI or tracecat?
- GraphCanon lists graph-backed alternatives at traceAI alternatives and tracecat alternatives (traceAI markdown twin, tracecat 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, traceAI or tracecat?
- traceAI: Active. tracecat: Very active. 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 traceAI and tracecat?
- GraphCanon publishes per-repo trust reports with dated maintenance, provenance, and scan summaries: traceAI trust report; tracecat trust report.