Comparison
mcp-agent vs agent-kernel
Verdict
Pick mcp-agent if allows creation of efficient AI agents via Model Context Protocol with workflow patterns; pick agent-kernel if agent-kernel provides an operating system for scalable enterprise AI agents, supporting deployment and orchestration at scale with native integration support for MCP and A2A.
Markdown twin · mcp-agent alternatives · agent-kernel alternatives
GraphCanon updated Sep 27, 2026
14views this month
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Trust & integrity
| Signal | mcp-agent | agent-kernel |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | Slowing (237d since push) As of Sep 20, 2026 · github_public_v1 | Very active (1d since push) As of Sep 13, 2026 · github_public_v1 |
| Provenance | Not a fork · Organization account As of Sep 20, 2026 · github_public_v1 | Not a fork · Organization account As of Sep 13, 2026 · github_public_v1 |
| OSV dependency advisories | No lockfile (source not queried) As of Jul 11, 2026 · osv@v1 | No lockfile (source not queried) As of Sep 27, 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
- mcp-agent
- Build effective AI agents with Model Context Protocol.
- agent-kernel
- The Operating System for Scalable Enterprise AI Agents
Stars
- mcp-agent
- 8.5k
- agent-kernel
- 188
Forks
- mcp-agent
- 891
- agent-kernel
- 86
Open issues
- mcp-agent
- 138
- agent-kernel
- 137
Language
- mcp-agent
- Python
- agent-kernel
- Python
Adopt for
- mcp-agent
- Allows creation of efficient AI agents via Model Context Protocol with workflow patterns
- agent-kernel
- Agent-kernel provides an operating system for scalable enterprise AI agents, supporting deployment and orchestration at scale with native integration support for MCP and A2A.
Persona
- mcp-agent
- -
- agent-kernel
- -
Runtime
- mcp-agent
- -
- agent-kernel
- -
License
- mcp-agent
- Apache-2.0
- agent-kernel
- Apache-2.0
Last pushed
- mcp-agent
- Jan 25, 2026
- agent-kernel
- Sep 11, 2026
Categories
- mcp-agent
- AI Agents
- agent-kernel
- AI Agents
Trust and health
Maintenance
- mcp-agent
- Slowing (36%)
- agent-kernel
- Very active (96%)
Days since push
- mcp-agent
- 237d
- agent-kernel
- 1d
Open issues (now)
- mcp-agent
- 138
- agent-kernel
- 137
Stars delta
- mcp-agent
- +71 (30d)
- agent-kernel
- +75 (30d)
Open issues delta
- mcp-agent
- -2 (30d)
- agent-kernel
- +9 (30d)
Full report
- mcp-agent
- Trust report
- agent-kernel
- Trust report
Shared compatibility
- Python · mcp-agent: Python runtime · agent-kernel: Python runtime
Choose mcp-agent if…
- Tags unique to mcp-agent: agents, ai-agents, llm, mcp.
- Need to implement the Model Context Protocol specifically in your agent development
- More GitHub stars (8.5k vs 188) - visibility, not fit.
When NOT to use mcp-agent
- Require a more customizable approach beyond pre-defined protocol and workflows
- Project demands specific AI frameworks unsupported by Model Context Protocol directly
Choose agent-kernel if…
- Requirements: It requires Python versions between 3.12 and 3.13.x.; Supports deployment to various environments such as AWS Lambda, ECS, Azure Functions, or Container Apps via one Terraform module..
- Tags unique to agent-kernel: a2a, adk, aws, azure.
- If you require seamless scalability across different cloud providers like AWS and Azure without lock-in or rewrites.
When NOT to use agent-kernel
- If your project is confined to a single, specific AI framework which doesn't require the flexibility Agent-kernel offers.
- When you do not have Python version 3.12 - 3.13.x, as it's the required runtime environment.
Explore
Sources
Every stat on this page traces to a dated GitHub sync, license file, enrichment field, or trust scan.
- GitHub stars (lastmile-ai/mcp-agent) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- GitHub forks (lastmile-ai/mcp-agent) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- Last push (lastmile-ai/mcp-agent) · observed Jan 25, 2026
- License file (Apache-2.0) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- Decision facts (enrichment) · observed Jul 16, 2026
- Trust scan (lockfile / OSV) · observed Jul 11, 2026
- GitHub stars (yaalalabs/agent-kernel) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- GitHub forks (yaalalabs/agent-kernel) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- Last push (yaalalabs/agent-kernel) · observed Sep 11, 2026
- License file (Apache-2.0) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- Decision facts (enrichment) · observed Jul 16, 2026
- Trust scan (lockfile / OSV) · observed Sep 27, 2026
GitHub stars on cards: mcp-agent 8.5k · agent-kernel 188 (synced Sep 20, 2026).
Common questions
- What is the difference between mcp-agent and agent-kernel?
- mcp-agent: Build effective AI agents with Model Context Protocol.. agent-kernel: The Operating System for Scalable Enterprise AI Agents. See the comparison table for live GitHub stats and shared categories.
- When should I choose mcp-agent over agent-kernel?
- Choose mcp-agent over agent-kernel when Tags unique to mcp-agent: agents, ai-agents, llm, mcp; Need to implement the Model Context Protocol specifically in your agent development; More GitHub stars (8.5k vs 188) - visibility, not fit.
- When should I choose agent-kernel over mcp-agent?
- Choose agent-kernel over mcp-agent when Requirements: It requires Python versions between 3.12 and 3.13.x.; Supports deployment to various environments such as AWS Lambda, ECS, Azure Functions, or Container Apps via one Terraform module.; Tags unique to agent-kernel: a2a, adk, aws, azure; If you require seamless scalability across different cloud providers like AWS and Azure without lock-in or rewrites.
- When should I avoid mcp-agent?
- Require a more customizable approach beyond pre-defined protocol and workflows Project demands specific AI frameworks unsupported by Model Context Protocol directly
- When should I avoid agent-kernel?
- If your project is confined to a single, specific AI framework which doesn't require the flexibility Agent-kernel offers. When you do not have Python version 3.12 - 3.13.x, as it's the required runtime environment.
- Is mcp-agent or agent-kernel more popular on GitHub?
- mcp-agent has more GitHub stars (8,549 vs 188). Stars measure visibility, not whether either tool fits your constraints.
- Are mcp-agent and agent-kernel open source?
- Yes - both are open-source projects on GitHub (mcp-agent: Apache-2.0, agent-kernel: Apache-2.0).
- Where can I find alternatives to mcp-agent or agent-kernel?
- GraphCanon lists graph-backed alternatives at mcp-agent alternatives and agent-kernel alternatives (mcp-agent markdown twin, agent-kernel 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, mcp-agent or agent-kernel?
- mcp-agent: Slowing. agent-kernel: 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 mcp-agent and agent-kernel?
- GraphCanon publishes per-repo trust reports with dated maintenance, provenance, and scan summaries: mcp-agent trust report; agent-kernel trust report.