Comparison
12-factor-agents vs agent-framework
Verdict
Pick 12-factor-agents if a TypeScript-based framework focused on applying 12-factor principles to build production-ready software with large language models; 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 · 12-factor-agents alternatives · agent-framework alternatives
GraphCanon updated 3d
vs
Trust & integrity
| Signal | 12-factor-agents | agent-framework |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | Slowing (330d since push) As of 3d · github_public_v1 | Very active (0d since push) As of 1w · github_public_v1 |
| Provenance | Not a fork · Organization account As of 3d · 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
- 12-factor-agents
- Principles for building production-ready LLM-powered software
- agent-framework
- Framework for building and deploying AI agents and multi-agent workflows
Stars
- 12-factor-agents
- 25k
- agent-framework
- 13k
Forks
- 12-factor-agents
- 1.9k
- agent-framework
- 2.1k
Open issues
- 12-factor-agents
- 26
- agent-framework
- 685
Language
- 12-factor-agents
- TypeScript
- agent-framework
- Python
Adopt for
- 12-factor-agents
- A TypeScript-based framework focused on applying 12-factor principles to build production-ready software with large language models.
- 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
- 12-factor-agents
- -
- agent-framework
- -
Runtime
- 12-factor-agents
- -
- agent-framework
- -
License
- 12-factor-agents
- The content and images are licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, while the code is covered by the Apache 2.0 License.
- agent-framework
- MIT
Last pushed
- 12-factor-agents
- Sep 21, 2025
- agent-framework
- Aug 10, 2026
Categories
- 12-factor-agents
- AI Agents, LLM Frameworks
- agent-framework
- AI Agents, Developer Tools
Trust and health
Maintenance
- 12-factor-agents
- Slowing (36%)
- agent-framework
- Very active (96%)
Days since push
- 12-factor-agents
- 330d
- agent-framework
- 0d
Open issues (now)
- 12-factor-agents
- 26
- agent-framework
- 685
Stars delta
- 12-factor-agents
- +966 (30d)
- agent-framework
- Unknown
Open issues delta
- 12-factor-agents
- 0 (30d)
- agent-framework
- Unknown
Full report
- 12-factor-agents
- Trust report
- agent-framework
- Trust report
Choose 12-factor-agents if…
- 12-factor-agents is primarily TypeScript; agent-framework is Python.
- License: 12-factor-agents is Other, agent-framework is MIT.
- Pricing: Free to use with open-source licenses.
- Requirements: Min 4 GB RAM; Requires Docker; Requires a solid understanding of TypeScript and familiarity with concepts like prompt engineering and context window management..
- Tags unique to 12-factor-agents: 12-factor, ai, context-window, framework.
- Also covers LLM Frameworks.
- You are specifically developing AI agents or LLM-powered applications in TypeScript and need a structured guideline grounded in the 12-factor app principles.
When NOT to use 12-factor-agents
- If your project requires languages other than TypeScript or if your application already has a strong foundation not necessarily aligning with the 12-factor app principles.
- When you’re looking for comprehensive deployment automation tools rather than guidance on building LLM-powered agents and ensuring their reliability in production environments.
Choose agent-framework if…
- agent-framework is primarily Python; 12-factor-agents is TypeScript.
- License: agent-framework is MIT, 12-factor-agents is Other.
- 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, multi-agent, workflows.
- 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 (humanlayer/12-factor-agents) · observed Aug 18, 2026
- GitHub forks (humanlayer/12-factor-agents) · observed Aug 18, 2026
- Last push (humanlayer/12-factor-agents) · observed Sep 21, 2025
- License file (Other) · observed Aug 18, 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: 12-factor-agents 25k · agent-framework 13k (synced Aug 18, 2026).
Common questions
- What is the difference between 12-factor-agents and agent-framework?
- 12-factor-agents: Principles for building production-ready LLM-powered software. 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 12-factor-agents over agent-framework?
- Choose 12-factor-agents over agent-framework when 12-factor-agents is primarily TypeScript; agent-framework is Python; License: 12-factor-agents is Other, agent-framework is MIT; Pricing: Free to use with open-source licenses; Requirements: Min 4 GB RAM; Requires Docker; Requires a solid understanding of TypeScript and familiarity with concepts like prompt engineering and context window management.; Tags unique to 12-factor-agents: 12-factor, ai, context-window, framework; Also covers LLM Frameworks; You are specifically developing AI agents or LLM-powered applications in TypeScript and need a structured guideline grounded in the 12-factor app principles.
- When should I choose agent-framework over 12-factor-agents?
- Choose agent-framework over 12-factor-agents when agent-framework is primarily Python; 12-factor-agents is TypeScript; License: agent-framework is MIT, 12-factor-agents is Other; 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, multi-agent, workflows; 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 12-factor-agents?
- If your project requires languages other than TypeScript or if your application already has a strong foundation not necessarily aligning with the 12-factor app principles. When you’re looking for comprehensive deployment automation tools rather than guidance on building LLM-powered agents and ensuring their reliability in production environments.
- 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 12-factor-agents or agent-framework more popular on GitHub?
- 12-factor-agents has more GitHub stars (25,353 vs 12,718). Stars measure visibility, not whether either tool fits your constraints.
- Are 12-factor-agents and agent-framework open source?
- Yes - both are open-source projects on GitHub (12-factor-agents: Other, agent-framework: MIT).
- Where can I find alternatives to 12-factor-agents or agent-framework?
- GraphCanon lists graph-backed alternatives at 12-factor-agents alternatives and agent-framework alternatives (12-factor-agents 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, 12-factor-agents or agent-framework?
- 12-factor-agents: Slowing. 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 12-factor-agents and agent-framework?
- GraphCanon publishes per-repo trust reports with dated maintenance, provenance, and scan summaries: 12-factor-agents trust report; agent-framework trust report.