Microsoft Agent Framework vs OpenAI Agents SDK
Microsoft Agent Framework and OpenAI Agents SDK are both agent frameworks for Python. Microsoft Agent Framework is published by Microsoft and OpenAI Agents SDK by OpenAI. On GitHub, OpenAI Agents SDK has 30,260 stars and Microsoft Agent Framework has 14,302. Both were last active in Oct 2026. The table lines up where they differ (publisher, weekly downloads, category and languages) and has the install commands for both. Everything here comes from the listings' public sources and is refreshed daily. Microsoft Agent Framework describes itself as: Open framework for building and hosting production-grade AI agents and multi-agent workflows in .NET and Python. OpenAI Agents SDK: Python SDK for multi-agent workflows with handoffs, guardrails, sessions and built-in tracing, usable with OpenAI and other LLMs. Licenses: Microsoft Agent Framework MIT, OpenAI Agents SDK MIT.
Updated Oct 26, 2026 · Built from catalog data; how we rank and grade
Microsoft Agent Framework
Microsoft
Open framework for building and hosting production-grade AI agents and multi-agent workflows in .NET and Python.
OpenAI Agents SDK
OpenAI
Python SDK for multi-agent workflows with handoffs, guardrails, sessions and built-in tracing, usable with OpenAI and other LLMs.
Who should pick which
- Pick Microsoft Agent Framework if you work in C# and Go.
- Pick OpenAI Agents SDK if you want MCP support built in.
- OpenAI Agents SDK has the larger community: 30,260 GitHub stars against 14,302.
From listing data only. We don't pick a winner on security beyond the grades; read how grades work.
Side by side
| Fact | Microsoft Agent Framework | OpenAI Agents SDK |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Harness | Harness |
| Publisher | Microsoft | OpenAI |
| 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 | 14,302 | 30,260 |
| Weekly downloads | 47,602 | 4,509,256 |
| Last release | Oct 23, 2026 | Oct 15, 2026 |
| Last activity | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 22, 2026 |
Facts from each listing's public sources, checked daily. Tool lists arrive with tool scans.
Install
Microsoft Agent Framework
pip install agent-framework
OpenAI Agents SDK
pip install openai-agents
Also consider
- 0.791score
ADK for Go
Google
Code-first Go toolkit for building agents with a tool ecosystem, composable multi-agent systems and Cloud Run deployment.
HarnessAFreshness: A★ 8.9K - 0.771score
Ax
Ax
DSPy-style toolkit for typed LLM signatures, agents and flows, TypeScript-first with Python, Java, C++, Go and Rust libraries.
HarnessAFreshness: A★ 3K↓ 27.2K/wk - 0.752score
PraisonAI
Mervin Praison
Python framework for multi-agent teams and workflows, with a CLI and Docker, MCP and A2A deployment options.
HarnessAFreshness: A★ 9.3K↓ 4.6K/wk
Questions
- Is Microsoft Agent Framework or OpenAI Agents SDK more popular?
- OpenAI Agents SDK has more GitHub stars (30,260 against 14,302). Stars measure attention, not quality, so check freshness and docs too.
- Are Microsoft Agent Framework and OpenAI Agents SDK open source?
- Yes: Microsoft Agent Framework is MIT and OpenAI Agents SDK is MIT.
Related
- AlternativesAlternatives to Microsoft Agent Framework
- AlternativesAlternatives to OpenAI Agents SDK
- ComparisonADK for Go vs Microsoft Agent Framework
- ComparisonAx vs Microsoft Agent Framework
- ComparisonMicrosoft Agent Framework vs PraisonAI
- ComparisonOpenAI Agents SDK vs Pipecat
- ComparisonAgentScope vs OpenAI Agents SDK
- ComparisonOpenAI Agents SDK vs PraisonAI
Cite this page
Microsoft Agent Framework vs OpenAI Agents SDK. Agent Mart. https://agentmart.dev/compare/microsoft-agent-framework-vs-openai-agents-sdk (last updated 2026-10-26)