Microsoft Agent Framework
by Microsoft
Microsoft Agent Framework is the open-source (MIT License) unified successor to Semantic Kernel and AutoGen, reaching general availability (v1.0) on April 3, 2026. It provides framework-level orchestration for multi-agent systems with connectors, telemetry, MCP security controls, and vector-store protocols. Distinct from the managed Microsoft Foundry Agent Service.
Developer Tools
Proprietary
Primary Use Cases
- Building multi-agent orchestration systems
- Enterprise AI application development
- Migrating from Semantic Kernel or AutoGen
- Agent telemetry and observability
✅ Strengths
- Free open-source framework (MIT License)
- Official Microsoft successor to two major frameworks
- Strong enterprise integration (Azure OpenAI, Foundry Agent Service)
- Active development with frequent releases
⚠️ Limitations
- Framework only — production costs driven by underlying model and infrastructure
- Requires Azure or compatible infrastructure for full feature set
- Migration effort required from Semantic Kernel/AutoGen
- Framework-level complexity vs. managed service simplicity
Technical Specifications
Developer
Microsoft
Category
Developer Tools
Type
🔧 AI Tool
License
UNKNOWN
Trust & Privacy
Health Status
🟢 Active
Trains on User Data
✅ Does not train
Certifications
None listed
Ecosystem & Integrations
API Access
✅ Available
Chrome Extension
❌ No
Mobile App
❌ No
Pricing Model
🔓 Open Source
Free Tier
✅ Available
Pricing Breakdown
Open Source
Free MIT License framework; infrastructure costs separate
0