kitio.aiOpenAI Agents SDK vs Windmill
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. OpenAI Agents SDK is completely free, while Windmill is freemium.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Agent handoffs
- Function and hosted tools
- Guardrails
- Sessions
- Built-in tracing
- Multi-language scripts
- Flow orchestration
- Auto-generated UIs
- Internal app builder
- AI agent steps
| Feature | OpenAI Agents SDK | Windmill |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | OpenAI's lightweight framework for multi-agent workflows | Code-first platform for scripts, workflows, apps and AI agents |
| Category | Agents & automation | Agents & automation |
| Pricing model | Free | Freemium |
| Starting price | Free | $120/mo |
| Free plan | Yes, fully free | Yes |
| Made by | OpenAI | Windmill Labs |
| Based in | United States | France |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
OpenAI Agents SDK is completely free, while Windmill is freemium.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
2 plans
Free and Open-source
Free
- Unlimited executions
- 3 workspaces, up to 50 users
- Max 4 groups
Enterprise
From $120/mo
- $20/mo per builder seat
- Unlimited workspaces and users
- Observability and security features
- 1-month free trial
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
OpenAI Agents SDK
- Small, easy-to-learn API
- Good tracing
- Official OpenAI support
- Model usage billed separately
- Fewer integrations than larger frameworks
Windmill
- Real code in many languages
- Fast and self-hostable
- Combines jobs, flows and apps
- Requires programming skills
- Smaller connector library than no-code tools
Which one should you choose?
Choose OpenAI Agents SDK if you want:
- Small, easy-to-learn API
- Good tracing
- Official OpenAI support
Watch out: model usage billed separately.
Choose Windmill if you want:
- Real code in many languages
- Fast and self-hostable
- Combines jobs, flows and apps
Watch out: requires programming skills.
OpenAI Agents SDK vs Windmill FAQ
What is the difference between OpenAI Agents SDK and Windmill?
OpenAI Agents SDK: OpenAI's lightweight framework for multi-agent workflows. Windmill: Code-first platform for scripts, workflows, apps and AI agents. Both are agents & automation tools.
Is OpenAI Agents SDK or Windmill cheaper?
OpenAI Agents SDK is completely free, while Windmill is freemium.
Do OpenAI Agents SDK and Windmill have free plans?
OpenAI Agents SDK: Yes, fully free. Windmill: Yes.
Who makes OpenAI Agents SDK?
OpenAI Agents SDK is made by OpenAI, based in United States.
Who makes Windmill?
Windmill is made by Windmill Labs, based in France.
Which should I choose, OpenAI Agents SDK or Windmill?
Choose OpenAI Agents SDK if you value small, easy-to-learn api and good tracing. Choose Windmill if you value real code in many languages and fast and self-hostable.