kitio.aiLangGraph vs OpenAI Agents SDK
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. OpenAI Agents SDK is completely free, while LangGraph is freemium.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Graph-based agent design
- Persistent state
- Human-in-the-loop
- Streaming
- Python and JavaScript
- Agent handoffs
- Function and hosted tools
- Guardrails
- Sessions
- Built-in tracing
| Feature | LangGraph | OpenAI Agents SDK |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Low-level framework for building stateful, controllable agents | OpenAI's lightweight framework for multi-agent workflows |
| Category | Agents & automation | Agents & automation |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Free |
| Starting price | $39/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes, fully free |
| Made by | LangChain | OpenAI |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
OpenAI Agents SDK is completely free, while LangGraph is freemium.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
3 plans
Developer
Free
- 1 seat
- 5k base traces / month, then pay as you go
- Community support
Plus
$39/mo
- Per seat
- 10k base traces / month, then pay as you go
- Access to Deployment and Engine
- Unlimited seats
Enterprise
Custom
- Self-hosted and hybrid deployment
- Custom SSO, ABAC and RBAC
- Support SLA
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
LangGraph
- Fine control over agent behavior
- Strong persistence model
- Widely used in production
- Steeper learning curve
- More code than no-code builders
OpenAI Agents SDK
- Small, easy-to-learn API
- Good tracing
- Official OpenAI support
- Model usage billed separately
- Fewer integrations than larger frameworks
Which one should you choose?
Choose LangGraph if you want:
- Fine control over agent behavior
- Strong persistence model
- Widely used in production
Watch out: steeper learning curve.
Choose OpenAI Agents SDK if you want:
- Small, easy-to-learn API
- Good tracing
- Official OpenAI support
Watch out: model usage billed separately.
LangGraph vs OpenAI Agents SDK FAQ
What is the difference between LangGraph and OpenAI Agents SDK?
LangGraph: Low-level framework for building stateful, controllable agents. OpenAI Agents SDK: OpenAI's lightweight framework for multi-agent workflows. Both are agents & automation tools.
Is LangGraph or OpenAI Agents SDK cheaper?
OpenAI Agents SDK is completely free, while LangGraph is freemium.
Do LangGraph and OpenAI Agents SDK have free plans?
LangGraph: Yes. OpenAI Agents SDK: Yes, fully free.
Who makes LangGraph?
LangGraph is made by LangChain, based in United States.
Who makes OpenAI Agents SDK?
OpenAI Agents SDK is made by OpenAI, based in United States.
Which should I choose, LangGraph or OpenAI Agents SDK?
Choose LangGraph if you value fine control over agent behavior and strong persistence model. Choose OpenAI Agents SDK if you value small, easy-to-learn api and good tracing.