Softwr

AI · head to head

LangGraph vs Temporal

LangGraph logo

LangGraph

AI

Agent runtime and orchestration framework

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Temporal logo

Temporal

Automation Integration

Durable execution platform for fault-tolerant workflows.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: LangGraph steeper learning curve compared to high-level abstractions; Temporal cloud pricing scales with action volume, with per-million overage fees ($50 per million initially)

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which LangGraph and Temporal actually diverge.

Attributes where LangGraph and Temporal differ
AttributeLangGraphTemporal
Pricing modelOpen source and free, with optional managed platformfreemium
PlatformsPython, JavaScript, WebWeb, API, Self-hosted
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 LangGraph

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

Only in Temporal

Nothing recorded that LangGraph does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

LangGraph

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

Temporal

  • AI pipeline orchestration and long-running AI workflowsnot LangGraph
  • Distributed system workflows requiring state durabilitynot LangGraph
  • Complex backend processes with retry requirementsnot LangGraph
  • High-volume asynchronous task executionnot LangGraph
  • Microservices coordination with guaranteed state consistencynot 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

Temporal

  • Cloud pricing scales with action volume, with per-million overage fees ($50 per million initially)
  • Enterprise customers incur additional storage costs beyond base allocations
  • Self-hosted deployments require operational expertise to deploy and maintain the Temporal Service
  • No native workflow UI builder; workflows must be defined in code
  • Free tier limited to self-hosted option only; no free cloud 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

Temporal

Free
  • Open-sourceFree
    • Self-hosted deployment
    • Full platform functionality
    • Community support
  • Essentials$100/month
    • 1 million actions monthly
    • 1 GB active storage
    • 40 GB retained storage
  • Business$500/month
    • 2.5 million actions monthly
    • 2.5 GB active storage
    • 100 GB retained storage
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • 10 million actions monthly
    • 10 GB active storage
    • 400 GB retained storage

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 Temporal if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, API, Self-hosted.
Temporal review

Questions people ask

Is LangGraph or Temporal better?
Neither clearly leads. LangGraph starts at Free and Temporal at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, LangGraph or Temporal?
LangGraph starts at Free and Temporal at Free.
Does LangGraph or Temporal run on more platforms?
LangGraph runs on Python, JavaScript, Web. Temporal runs on Web, API, Self-hosted.
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 Temporal is typically brought in for.
What can LangGraph do that Temporal cannot?
LangGraph covers Human-in-the-loop controls, Customizable workflows, Memory management, Token-by-token streaming.

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
Temporal: What programming languages does Temporal support?

Temporal provides native SDKs for Go, Java, .NET, PHP, Python, Ruby, Rust, and TypeScript.

Source
LangGraph: What programming languages does LangGraph support?

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

Source
Temporal: Can I run Temporal on-premises or self-hosted?

Yes. Temporal is available as open-source software under the MIT license, allowing self-hosted deployment. Temporal Cloud is also available as a managed service alternative.

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
Temporal: What is included in the free tier?

$1,000 in free credits for new users to explore Temporal Cloud. Self-hosted Temporal is available free with full platform functionality.

Source
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