Claude Agent SDK (Python) vs LlamaIndex
Pick by task. LlamaIndex is a toolkit for RAG and agents over your own data, with event-driven workflows and 300+ integration packages. Claude Agent SDK (Python), from Anthropic, runs the Claude Code agent loop inside your own program and has MCP support built in.
LlamaIndex has more GitHub stars, 52,641 to 8,342. The Claude Agent SDK has more weekly downloads, 7,924,764 to 1,391,530. Both are MIT licensed and graded A for freshness.
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.
LlamaIndex
LlamaIndex
Open-source Python toolkit for RAG and agents over your own data, with event-driven workflows and 300+ integration packages.
Who should pick which
- Pick Claude Agent SDK (Python) if you want MCP support built in.
- LlamaIndex has the larger community: 52,641 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) | LlamaIndex |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Harness | Harness |
| Publisher | Anthropic | LlamaIndex |
| 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 | 52,641 |
| Weekly downloads | 7,924,764 | 1,391,530 |
| Last release | Oct 24, 2026 | Sep 21, 2026 |
| Last activity | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 14, 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
LlamaIndex
pip install llama-index
Also consider
- 0.753score
LangChain
LangChain
Python framework of interoperable components and integrations for building agents and LLM apps, with LangGraph and Deep Agents layered above it.
HarnessAFreshness: A★ 148.4K↓ 37.3M/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 LlamaIndex more popular?
- LlamaIndex has more GitHub stars (52,641 against 8,342). Stars measure attention, not quality, so check freshness and docs too.
- Are Claude Agent SDK (Python) and LlamaIndex open source?
- Yes: Claude Agent SDK (Python) is MIT and LlamaIndex is MIT.
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Cite this page
Claude Agent SDK (Python) vs LlamaIndex. Agent Mart. https://agentmart.dev/compare/claude-agent-sdk-python-vs-llamaindex (last updated 2026-10-26)