Claude Agent SDK (Python) vs LangChain
Claude Agent SDK (Python) and LangChain are both agent frameworks for Python. Claude Agent SDK (Python) is published by Anthropic and LangChain by LangChain. On GitHub, LangChain has 148,371 stars and Claude Agent SDK (Python) has 8,342. Both were last active in Oct 2026. The table lines up where they differ (publisher, GitHub stars, weekly downloads and category) and has the install commands for both. Everything here comes from the listings' public sources and is refreshed daily. Claude Agent SDK (Python) describes itself as: Python SDK that runs the Claude Code agent loop inside your own program, with custom tools and hooks written as Python functions. LangChain: Python framework of interoperable components and integrations for building agents and LLM apps, with LangGraph and Deep Agents layered above it. Licenses: Claude Agent SDK (Python) MIT, LangChain MIT.
Updated Oct 26, 2026 · Built from catalog data; how we rank and grade
Claude Agent SDK (Python)
Anthropic
Python SDK that runs the Claude Code agent loop inside your own program, with custom tools and hooks written as Python functions.
LangChain
LangChain
Python framework of interoperable components and integrations for building agents and LLM apps, with LangGraph and Deep Agents layered above it.
Who should pick which
- Pick Claude Agent SDK (Python) if you want MCP support built in.
- Pick LangChain if you want a stable release (Claude Agent SDK (Python) is marked beta).
- LangChain has the larger community: 148,371 GitHub stars against 8,342.
From listing data only. We don't pick a winner on security beyond the grades; read how grades work.
Side by side
| Fact | Claude Agent SDK (Python) | LangChain |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Harness | Harness |
| Publisher | Anthropic | LangChain |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Pricing | Not stated | Not stated |
| Runs | Not stated | Not stated |
| Auth | Not stated | Not stated |
| Hosts supported | Not stated | Not stated |
| Tools | Not listed yet | Not listed yet |
| Security grade | –Security: not graded yet | –Security: not graded yet |
| Freshness grade | AFreshness: A | AFreshness: A |
| GitHub stars | 8,342 | 148,371 |
| Weekly downloads | 7,924,764 | 37,334,710 |
| Last release | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 22, 2026 |
| Last activity | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 24, 2026 |
Facts from each listing's public sources, checked daily. Tool lists arrive with tool scans.
Install
Claude Agent SDK (Python)
pip install claude-agent-sdk
LangChain
pip install langchain
Also consider
- 0.853score
LlamaIndex
LlamaIndex
Open-source Python toolkit for RAG and agents over your own data, with event-driven workflows and 300+ integration packages.
HarnessAFreshness: A★ 52.6K↓ 1.4M/wk - 0.748score
LangGraph
LangChain
Low-level Python orchestration framework for long-running stateful agents, with durable execution, human review points and short- and long-term memory.
HarnessAFreshness: A★ 43.8K↓ 13.1M/wk - 0.732score
CrewAI
CrewAI
Open-source Python framework for multi-agent workflows, with role-based Crews and event-driven Flows.
HarnessAFreshness: A★ 60.1K↓ 644.6K/wk
Questions
- Is Claude Agent SDK (Python) or LangChain more popular?
- LangChain has more GitHub stars (148,371 against 8,342). Stars measure attention, not quality, so check freshness and docs too.
- Are Claude Agent SDK (Python) and LangChain open source?
- Yes: Claude Agent SDK (Python) is MIT and LangChain is MIT.
Related
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- ComparisonClaude Agent SDK (Python) vs CrewAI
- ComparisonClaude Agent SDK (Python) vs LlamaIndex
- ComparisonLangChain vs Strands Agents
- ComparisonGitHub Copilot SDK vs LangChain
- ComparisonGenkit vs LangChain
Cite this page
Claude Agent SDK (Python) vs LangChain. Agent Mart. https://agentmart.dev/compare/claude-agent-sdk-python-vs-langchain (last updated 2026-10-26)