Comparison
adk-python vs agent-framework
Verdict
Pick adk-python if adk-python provides tools for developing sophisticated AI agents with a focus on flexibility and control, particularly suited for multi-agent systems; pick agent-framework if the agent-framework provides tools for developers to build and deploy AI agents and multi-agent workflows in Python and .NET environments.
Markdown twin · adk-python alternatives · agent-framework alternatives
GraphCanon updated 2d
vs
Trust & integrity
| Signal | adk-python | agent-framework |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | Very active (0d since push) As of 2d · github_public_v1 | Very active (0d since push) As of 1w · github_public_v1 |
| Provenance | Not a fork · Organization account As of 2d · github_public_v1 | Not a fork · Organization account As of 1w · 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
- adk-python
- A Python toolkit for building, evaluating, and deploying AI agents
- agent-framework
- Framework for building and deploying AI agents and multi-agent workflows
Stars
- adk-python
- 21k
- agent-framework
- 13k
Forks
- adk-python
- 3.9k
- agent-framework
- 2.1k
Open issues
- adk-python
- 566
- agent-framework
- 685
Language
- adk-python
- Python
- agent-framework
- Python
Adopt for
- adk-python
- adk-python provides tools for developing sophisticated AI agents with a focus on flexibility and control, particularly suited for multi-agent systems.
- agent-framework
- The agent-framework provides tools for developers to build and deploy AI agents and multi-agent workflows in Python and .NET environments.
Persona
- adk-python
- -
- agent-framework
- -
Runtime
- adk-python
- -
- agent-framework
- -
License
- adk-python
- adk-python is available under the Apache-2.0 license, allowing both commercial and non-commercial use with appropriate attribution.
- agent-framework
- MIT
Last pushed
- adk-python
- Aug 18, 2026
- agent-framework
- Aug 10, 2026
Categories
- adk-python
- AI Agents
- agent-framework
- AI Agents, Developer Tools
Trust and health
Open issues (now)
- adk-python
- 566
- agent-framework
- 685
Stars delta
- adk-python
- +522 (30d)
- agent-framework
- Unknown
Open issues delta
- adk-python
- -76 (30d)
- agent-framework
- Unknown
Full report
- adk-python
- Trust report
- agent-framework
- Trust report
Choose adk-python if…
- License: adk-python is Apache-2.0, agent-framework is MIT.
- Requirements: Requires Python 3.10+ for installation..
- Tags unique to adk-python: agent, agentic, ai-agents, multi-agent-systems.
- You are working on multi-agent systems where multiple AI agents need to collaborate or interact effectively. adk-python offers specific support for defining and orchestrating multi-agent workflows.
When NOT to use adk-python
- If your project does not involve multi-agent interactions or complex orchestration of multiple agents, other frameworks might offer more streamlined solutions.
- You prefer using out-of-the-box solutions with less coding complexity. adk-python's code-first approach is best suited for developers looking to deeply customize agent behavior and interactions.
Choose agent-framework if…
- License: agent-framework is MIT, adk-python is Apache-2.0.
- Requirements: Python version 3.6 or newer is required for Python installations.; The .NET Core SDK must be installed for utilizing the .NET packages..
- Tags unique to agent-framework: agent-framework, agentic-ai, agents, multi-agent.
- Also covers Developer Tools.
- Choose agent-framework if your project requires support for both Python and .NET, allowing you to develop across different ecosystems.
When NOT to use agent-framework
- Avoid using the agent-framework if your team does not have proficiency in either Python or.NET, as this may cause difficulties in leveraging its features effectively.
- Do not opt for agent-framework if you only need lightweight support for AI agents without a comprehensive orchestration and deployment framework.
Explore
Sources
Every stat on this page traces to a dated GitHub sync, license file, enrichment field, or trust scan.
- GitHub stars (google/adk-python) · observed Aug 19, 2026
- GitHub forks (google/adk-python) · observed Aug 19, 2026
- Last push (google/adk-python) · observed Aug 18, 2026
- License file (Apache-2.0) · observed Aug 19, 2026
- Decision facts (enrichment) · observed Jul 11, 2026
- Trust scan (lockfile / OSV) · observed Jul 11, 2026
- GitHub stars (microsoft/agent-framework) · observed Aug 11, 2026
- GitHub forks (microsoft/agent-framework) · observed Aug 11, 2026
- Last push (microsoft/agent-framework) · observed Aug 10, 2026
- License file (MIT) · observed Aug 11, 2026
- Decision facts (enrichment) · observed Jul 16, 2026
- Trust scan (lockfile / OSV) · observed Jul 15, 2026
GitHub stars on cards: adk-python 21k · agent-framework 13k (synced Aug 19, 2026).
Common questions
- What is the difference between adk-python and agent-framework?
- adk-python: A Python toolkit for building, evaluating, and deploying AI agents. agent-framework: Framework for building and deploying AI agents and multi-agent workflows. See the comparison table for live GitHub stats and shared categories.
- When should I choose adk-python over agent-framework?
- Choose adk-python over agent-framework when License: adk-python is Apache-2.0, agent-framework is MIT; Requirements: Requires Python 3.10+ for installation.; Tags unique to adk-python: agent, agentic, ai-agents, multi-agent-systems; You are working on multi-agent systems where multiple AI agents need to collaborate or interact effectively. adk-python offers specific support for defining and orchestrating multi-agent workflows.
- When should I choose agent-framework over adk-python?
- Choose agent-framework over adk-python when License: agent-framework is MIT, adk-python is Apache-2.0; Requirements: Python version 3.6 or newer is required for Python installations.; The .NET Core SDK must be installed for utilizing the .NET packages.; Tags unique to agent-framework: agent-framework, agentic-ai, agents, multi-agent; Also covers Developer Tools; Choose agent-framework if your project requires support for both Python and .NET, allowing you to develop across different ecosystems.
- When should I avoid adk-python?
- If your project does not involve multi-agent interactions or complex orchestration of multiple agents, other frameworks might offer more streamlined solutions. You prefer using out-of-the-box solutions with less coding complexity. adk-python's code-first approach is best suited for developers looking to deeply customize agent behavior and interactions.
- When should I avoid agent-framework?
- Avoid using the agent-framework if your team does not have proficiency in either Python or.NET, as this may cause difficulties in leveraging its features effectively. Do not opt for agent-framework if you only need lightweight support for AI agents without a comprehensive orchestration and deployment framework.
- Is adk-python or agent-framework more popular on GitHub?
- adk-python has more GitHub stars (21,180 vs 12,718). Stars measure visibility, not whether either tool fits your constraints.
- Are adk-python and agent-framework open source?
- Yes - both are open-source projects on GitHub (adk-python: Apache-2.0, agent-framework: MIT).
- Where can I find alternatives to adk-python or agent-framework?
- GraphCanon lists graph-backed alternatives at adk-python alternatives and agent-framework alternatives (adk-python markdown twin, agent-framework 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, adk-python or agent-framework?
- adk-python: Very active. agent-framework: 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 adk-python and agent-framework?
- GraphCanon publishes per-repo trust reports with dated maintenance, provenance, and scan summaries: adk-python trust report; agent-framework trust report.