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Semantic Kernel vs AutoGen

Semantic KernelAutoGen

Bottom line: Semantic Kernel for enterprise .NET development teams; AutoGen for teams already running AutoGen in production.

Semantic KernelSemantic Kernel

Microsoft's enterprise SDK for orchestrating LLMs, plugins, and agents.

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AutoGenAutoGen

Microsoft's multi-agent conversation framework (now in maintenance mode).

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Votes00
PricingFreeFree
CategoryAgent FrameworksAgent Frameworks
Tags
llm-frameworkagentsopen-sourcemicrosoftdotnet
agentsmulti-agentopen-sourcemicrosoftorchestration
Best for
  • Enterprise .NET development teams
  • Microsoft/Azure-aligned organizations
  • Developers adding AI to existing apps
  • Teams already running AutoGen in production
  • Researchers studying multi-agent systems
  • Developers prototyping agent collaboration
Pros
  • First-class C#/.NET support, rare among AI frameworks
  • Free and open source
  • Enterprise features: type safety, DI, telemetry
  • Multi-language (C#, Python, Java)
  • Backed by Microsoft with clear Azure integration
  • Pioneered accessible multi-agent conversation patterns
  • Free and open source
  • Backed by Microsoft Research with strong documentation
  • 0.4 architecture is asynchronous and more observable
  • Works with many model providers
Cons
  • Strategic focus shifting to Microsoft Agent Framework
  • Concepts like planners have changed across versions
  • Python support historically trailed .NET
  • Migration planning needed for long-term projects
  • Less multi-agent focus than AutoGen lineage
  • In maintenance mode as of 2026, no new feature focus
  • Microsoft steers new projects to the Agent Framework
  • Multiple version lines (0.2 vs 0.4/0.7) cause confusion
  • Multi-agent loops can be hard to control and cost-predict
  • Less enterprise tooling than the successor framework

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