Comparison

AutoGen vs Smolagents

A like-for-like, spec-level comparison. Both entries are verified against their docs and repo.

AutoGen

Microsoft's framework for multi-agent conversations.

  • + Backed by Microsoft research
  • + Strong on conversational agent patterns
  • − API churned across major versions
  • − Heavier abstraction layer

Smolagents

Hugging Face's minimalist code-writing agents.

  • + Minimal and easy to reason about
  • + Code-as-action avoids JSON tool schemas
  • − Less orchestration than LangGraph
  • − Executing agent code needs sandboxing
Spec AutoGen Smolagents
Category framework framework
License MIT Apache-2.0
Open source Yes Yes
Self-hostable Yes Yes
MCP support Yes Yes
Pricing free free
Starting price BYOK usage cost BYOK usage cost
Models claude, gpt, gemini, byok claude, gpt, gemini, local, byok
Languages python, dotnet python
GitHub stars 59.2k 28.0k
Last activity 2026-04-15 2026-06-23