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AI · head to head

LangGraph vs Helicone

LangGraph logo

LangGraph

AI

Agent runtime and orchestration framework

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Helicone logo

Helicone

AI

Open-source LLM observability and gateway platform for AI applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: LangGraph steeper learning curve compared to high-level abstractions; Helicone the free Hobby plan is capped at 10,000 requests per month, which teams with production traffic can exceed quickly.
  • They diverge on capability: LangGraph covers Human-in-the-loop controls, Helicone covers Request dashboard and tracking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which LangGraph and Helicone actually diverge.

Attributes where LangGraph and Helicone differ
AttributeLangGraphHelicone
Pricing modelOpen source and free, with optional managed platformfreemium
PlatformsPython, JavaScript, Webweb, api

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

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 LangGraph

  • Human-in-the-loop controls
  • Customizable workflows
  • Memory management
  • Token-by-token streaming
  • Low-level control
  • Multi-agent support

Only in Helicone

  • Request dashboard and tracking
  • Sessions and segments
  • Helicone Query Language (HQL)
  • Prompt datasets and improvement
  • Playground
  • Rate limits and alerts

What people use each for

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

LangGraph

  • Building production AI agents with auditable workflowsnot Helicone
  • Designing multi-agent systems for complex tasksnot Helicone
  • Implementing human oversight in autonomous systemsnot Helicone
  • Creating reliable agentic applications at scalenot Helicone

Helicone

  • Monitoring cost and latency of production LLM applicationsnot LangGraph
  • Debugging multi-step agent sessionsnot LangGraph
  • Managing and iterating on prompts across a teamnot LangGraph
  • Routing requests across multiple LLM providersnot LangGraph

Where each one falls short

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

LangGraph

  • Steeper learning curve compared to high-level abstractions
  • Requires understanding of graph-based architecture
  • Debugging complex workflows can be challenging
  • Not optimized for simple, one-off use cases

Helicone

  • The free Hobby plan is capped at 10,000 requests per month, which teams with production traffic can exceed quickly.
  • Advanced compliance features like SOC 2 and HIPAA are only available starting at the $799/month Team plan.
  • Usage beyond the free tier is billed on top of the base subscription, adding cost unpredictability at scale.
  • On-premises deployment is restricted to the custom Enterprise tier.

Pricing, plan by plan

LangGraph

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • MIT-licensed framework
    • Self-hosted deployment
    • Full API access
  • LangGraph Platform$35/month
    • Managed hosting
    • Enterprise deployment
    • Integrated tooling

Helicone

Free
  • HobbyFree
    • 10,000 free requests
    • 1 GB storage
    • 1 seat
  • Pro$79/month
    • 10K free requests included, usage-based beyond
    • 7-day free trial
    • Unlimited playgrounds and workspaces
  • Team$799/month
    • 5 organizations
    • SOC 2 and HIPAA compliance
    • Dedicated Slack channel access
  • Enterprise$undefined/mo
    • Custom MSAs and SAML SSO
    • On-premises deployment
    • Bulk cloud discounts

Which should you pick?

Choose LangGraph if

  • You need human-in-the-loop controls.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Python, JavaScript, Web.
  • You also want customizable workflows.
LangGraph review

Choose Helicone if

  • You need request dashboard and tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web, api.
  • You also want sessions and segments.
Helicone review

Questions people ask

Is LangGraph or Helicone better?
Neither clearly leads. LangGraph starts at Free and Helicone at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, LangGraph or Helicone?
LangGraph starts at Free and Helicone at Free.
Does LangGraph or Helicone run on more platforms?
LangGraph runs on Python, JavaScript, Web. Helicone runs on web, api.
Can I use LangGraph for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is LangGraph best used for?
LangGraph is most often used for building production ai agents with auditable workflows, designing multi-agent systems for complex tasks, implementing human oversight in autonomous systems, creating reliable agentic applications at scale. Of those, building production ai agents with auditable workflows and designing multi-agent systems for complex tasks are not what Helicone is typically brought in for.
What can LangGraph do that Helicone cannot?
LangGraph covers Human-in-the-loop controls, Customizable workflows, Memory management, Token-by-token streaming. Helicone covers Request dashboard and tracking, Sessions and segments, Helicone Query Language (HQL), Prompt datasets and improvement.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

LangGraph: Is LangGraph free to use?

Yes. The core LangGraph framework is MIT-licensed and completely free. You only pay if you use the optional managed LangGraph Platform for hosting.

Source
Helicone: What does Helicone cost?

Helicone offers a free Hobby plan, a Pro plan at $79/month, a Team plan at $799/month, and custom Enterprise pricing, with usage-based charges applying beyond included request limits.

Source
LangGraph: What programming languages does LangGraph support?

LangGraph provides first-class support for Python and JavaScript, enabling cross-platform agent development.

Source
Helicone: Is there a free plan, and what are its limits?

The free Hobby plan includes 10,000 requests per month, 1 GB of storage, 1 seat, and 1 organization, aimed at kickstarting AI projects.

Source
LangGraph: Can I deploy LangGraph in production?

Yes. LangGraph can be self-hosted on your own infrastructure or deployed through LangGraph Platform with enterprise support and SLA guarantees.

Source
Helicone: Are there discounts available?

Helicone offers 50% off the first year for qualifying startups, discounts for non-profits, a $100 annual credit for open-source projects, and free access for students.

Source
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