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AI · head to head

AutoGen vs Puppet

AutoGen logo

AutoGen

AI

Programming framework for multi-agent agentic AI

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Puppet logo

Puppet

Cloud

Infrastructure automation for enterprises

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: AutoGen framework now in maintenance mode, no new features planned; Puppet no pricing published for commercial tiers; requires contacting sales
  • They diverge on capability: AutoGen covers Multi-agent orchestration, Puppet covers Manifests.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AutoGen and Puppet actually diverge.

Attributes where AutoGen and Puppet differ
AttributeAutoGenPuppet
Pricing modelOpen source, no pricingquote
PlatformsPython, .NETLinux, Windows, Mac, Api
CategoryAICloud
FoundedUnknown2005

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 Puppet

  • Manifests
  • Modules
  • Classes
  • Variables
  • Facts
  • Puppet Master
  • Hiera
  • Facter

What people use each for

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

AutoGen

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

Puppet

  • Infrastructure automationnot AutoGen
  • Configuration managementnot AutoGen
  • DevOps at scalenot AutoGen
  • Enterprise infrastructurenot 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

Puppet

  • No pricing published for commercial tiers; requires contacting sales
  • Enterprise and Advanced tiers require custom quote
  • Free tier limited to 25 nodes maximum

Pricing, plan by plan

AutoGen

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

Puppet

Free
  • DeveloperFree
    • Up to 25 nodes
  • Core Commercial$null/custom
    • 25+ nodes
    • Vendor-backed SLAs
    • Training with Certified Engineers
  • Enterprise$null/custom
    • Web GUI
    • RBAC
    • Multi-environment support
  • Advanced$null/custom
    • AI-powered features
    • Advanced patching
    • Vulnerability remediation

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 Puppet if

  • You need manifests.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, Mac, Api.
  • You also want modules.
Puppet review

Questions people ask

Is AutoGen or Puppet better?
Neither clearly leads. AutoGen starts at Free and Puppet at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AutoGen or Puppet?
AutoGen starts at Free and Puppet at Free.
Does AutoGen or Puppet run on more platforms?
AutoGen runs on Python, .NET. Puppet runs on Linux, Windows, Mac, Api.
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 Puppet is typically brought in for.
What can AutoGen do that Puppet cannot?
AutoGen covers Multi-agent orchestration, Message passing API, AgentChat API, Extensions API. Puppet covers Manifests, Modules, Classes, Variables.

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
Puppet: How much does Puppet cost?

Puppet's Developer tier is free for up to 25 nodes. Commercial, Enterprise, and Advanced tiers require contacting their sales team for a custom quote.

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
Puppet: Is there a free version of Puppet?

Yes, Puppet's Developer tier is free forever for up to 25 nodes of infrastructure.

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
Puppet: What does the Enterprise tier include?

Puppet's Enterprise tier includes web GUI, RBAC, and multi-environment support for organizations managing infrastructure at scale, with pricing available upon request.

Source
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