LangChain vs Strands Agents
LangChain and Strands Agents are both agent frameworks for Python. LangChain is published by LangChain and Strands Agents by AWS. On GitHub, LangChain has 148,371 stars and Strands Agents has 8,941. Both were last active in Oct 2026. The table lines up where they differ (publisher, license, GitHub stars and weekly downloads) and has the install commands for both. Everything here comes from the listings' public sources and is refreshed daily. LangChain describes itself as: Python framework of interoperable components and integrations for building agents and LLM apps, with LangGraph and Deep Agents layered above it. Strands Agents: Open-source Python and TypeScript SDK for model-driven agents, with tools, MCP, multi-agent patterns and streaming. Licenses: LangChain MIT, Strands Agents Apache-2.0.
Updated Oct 26, 2026 · Built from catalog data; how we rank and grade
LangChain
LangChain
Python framework of interoperable components and integrations for building agents and LLM apps, with LangGraph and Deep Agents layered above it.
Strands Agents
AWS
Open-source Python and TypeScript SDK for model-driven agents, with tools, MCP, multi-agent patterns and streaming.
Who should pick which
- Pick LangChain if you want a stable release (Strands Agents is marked beta).
- Pick Strands Agents if you work in TypeScript.
- Pick Strands Agents if you want MCP support built in.
- Pick Strands Agents if you need several agents working together.
- LangChain has the larger community: 148,371 GitHub stars against 8,941.
From listing data only. We don't pick a winner on security beyond the grades; read how grades work.
Side by side
| Fact | LangChain | Strands Agents |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Harness | Harness |
| Publisher | LangChain | AWS |
| License | MIT | Apache-2.0 |
| 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 | 148,371 | 8,941 |
| Weekly downloads | 37,334,710 | 8,886,357 |
| Last release | Oct 22, 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
LangChain
pip install langchain
Strands Agents
pip install strands-agents
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 - 0.841score
GitHub Copilot SDK
GitHub
Multi-language SDKs for embedding the GitHub Copilot agent runtime, with planning, tool calls and file edits, in your apps.
HarnessAFreshness: A★ 10.6K↓ 1.2M/wk - 0.799score
Genkit
Google
Open-source Firebase framework for AI features and agent workflows in JavaScript, Go, Python and Dart, with model plugins.
HarnessAFreshness: A★ 6.5K↓ 95.8K/wk
Questions
- Is LangChain or Strands Agents more popular?
- LangChain has more GitHub stars (148,371 against 8,941). Stars measure attention, not quality, so check freshness and docs too.
- Are LangChain and Strands Agents open source?
- Yes: LangChain is MIT and Strands Agents is Apache-2.0.
Related
- AlternativesAlternatives to LangChain
- AlternativesAlternatives to Strands Agents
- Best ofBest agent frameworks for Python
- Best ofBest agent frameworks for building AI agents
- Best ofBest agent frameworks for TypeScript
- ComparisonGitHub Copilot SDK vs LangChain
- ComparisonGenkit vs LangChain
- ComparisonPi Agent Core vs Strands Agents
- ComparisonLlamaIndex vs Strands Agents
Cite this page
LangChain vs Strands Agents. Agent Mart. https://agentmart.dev/compare/langchain-vs-strands-agents (last updated 2026-10-26)