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AI · head to head

AutoGen vs CrewAI

AutoGen logo

AutoGen

AI

Programming framework for multi-agent agentic AI

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
CrewAI logo

CrewAI

Automation Integration

The Enterprise Agent Build and Runtime for the work your business runs on

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: AutoGen framework now in maintenance mode, no new features planned; CrewAI free tier limited to only 50 workflow executions per month
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AutoGen and CrewAI actually diverge.

Attributes where AutoGen and CrewAI differ
AttributeAutoGenCrewAI
Pricing modelOpen source, no pricingfreemium
PlatformsPython, .NETWeb
CategoryAIAutomation Integration

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in AutoGen

  • Multi-agent orchestration
  • Message passing API
  • AgentChat API
  • Extensions API
  • MCP server support
  • AutoGen Studio
  • Cross-language support
  • Observable agent networks

Only in CrewAI

Nothing recorded that AutoGen does not also cover.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

AutoGen

  • Building multi-agent conversational systemsnot CrewAI
  • Rapid prototyping of agent applicationsnot CrewAI
  • Research on agentic AI patterns and architecturesnot CrewAI
  • Distributed agent networks across boundariesnot CrewAI

CrewAI

  • Enriching sales leads with company revenue and insights automaticallynot AutoGen
  • Accelerating first contact with leads from multiple systemsnot AutoGen
  • Automating quality assurance testing for voice agentsnot AutoGen
  • Generating curriculum content and instructor materials instantlynot AutoGen

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

AutoGen

  • Framework now in maintenance mode, no new features planned
  • Steeper learning curve for advanced use cases
  • Microsoft recommends new projects use Agent Framework instead
  • Limited to Python and .NET platforms

CrewAI

  • Free tier limited to only 50 workflow executions per month
  • Enterprise pricing is not published; requires contact for quote
  • No public information about paid tier pricing between free and enterprise

Pricing, plan by plan

AutoGen

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • MIT and CC-BY-4.0 licenses
    • Full framework access
    • Community support

CrewAI

Free
  • BasicFree
    • 50 workflow executions/month
    • Visual editor and AI copilot
    • GitHub integration
  • Enterprise$null/month
    • Custom pricing upon request
    • Everything in Basic plus advanced features
    • Enterprise connectors

Which should you pick?

Choose AutoGen if

  • You need multi-agent orchestration.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Python, .NET.
  • You also want message passing api.
AutoGen review

Choose CrewAI if

  • You want to start without paying.
CrewAI review

Questions people ask

Is AutoGen or CrewAI better?
Neither clearly leads. AutoGen starts at Free and CrewAI at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AutoGen or CrewAI?
AutoGen starts at Free and CrewAI at Free.
Does AutoGen or CrewAI run on more platforms?
AutoGen runs on Python, .NET. CrewAI runs on Web.
Can I use AutoGen for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is AutoGen best used for?
AutoGen is most often used for building multi-agent conversational systems, rapid prototyping of agent applications, research on agentic ai patterns and architectures, distributed agent networks across boundaries. Of those, building multi-agent conversational systems and rapid prototyping of agent applications are not what CrewAI is typically brought in for.
What can AutoGen do that CrewAI cannot?
AutoGen covers Multi-agent orchestration, Message passing API, AgentChat API, Extensions API.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

AutoGen: Is AutoGen still actively developed?

As of March 2026, AutoGen is in maintenance mode and will not receive new features. Microsoft recommends new projects use the Microsoft Agent Framework instead.

Source
CrewAI: Is CrewAI free?

CrewAI offers a free Basic tier that includes 50 workflow executions per month, access to the visual editor, AI copilot, and GitHub integration. Enterprise plans with custom pricing are available for larger deployments.

Source
AutoGen: Can I still use AutoGen for new projects?

While AutoGen is stable and maintained for existing projects, Microsoft recommends using the Microsoft Agent Framework for new development.

Source
CrewAI: How much does CrewAI Enterprise cost?

CrewAI Enterprise pricing is custom and available upon request. Enterprise includes dedicated VPC deployment, FedRamp High compliance, SSO and RBAC, PII redaction, and dedicated support with 45-day onboarding.

Source
AutoGen: What LLM providers does AutoGen support?

AutoGen includes extensions for OpenAI and Azure OpenAI through its Extensions API, with community support for other providers.

Source
CrewAI: Can I self-host CrewAI?

Enterprise tier customers can deploy CrewAI on their own VPC or own infrastructure in addition to CrewAI cloud deployment, but specific pricing for self-hosted options is not published.

Source
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