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Keras

Deep learning API for humans

As of 30 August 2026, Keras is free to use. Keras is a high-level deep learning API written in Python, running on top of TensorFlow. Softwr lists it under Machine Learning. Keras is made by Google, launched in 1998, available on API.

Overview

What Keras does

Keras is a high-level deep learning API written in Python, running on top of TensorFlow. It was developed with a focus on enabling fast experimentation and being user-friendly, modular, and extensible. Keras provides simple and consistent interfaces for creating neural networks with minimal code.

What people use it for

  • Machine learning
  • Data analysis
  • Model training
  • Predictive analytics

The honest half

Where it falls short

Concrete and checkable, so you can decide whether any of them matter to you. This is the half of a review a vendor will not write about Keras.

  • Limited customization compared to TensorFlow; advanced users may find constraints in complex model designs
  • Error messages can be vague and unhelpful, making debugging challenging
  • Smaller ecosystem and fewer pre-trained models than TensorFlow or PyTorch

Cross-shopped

What people choose instead of Keras

Each pairing was judged by two reviewers asking whether a buyer would genuinely weigh the two against each other. The ones that failed were deleted rather than published.

  • Keras logo
    Keras
    vs
    PyTorch logo
    PyTorch

    PyTorch: Deep learning framework with dynamic computational graphs and superior debugging capabilities, popular for research and rapid iteration.

  • Keras logo
    Keras
    vs
    TensorFlow logo
    TensorFlow

    TensorFlow: TensorFlow provides lower-level APIs for greater customization and production deployment, with Keras as its high-level API.

  • Keras logo
    Keras
    vs
    scikit-learn logo
    scikit-learn

    scikit-learn: Machine learning library optimized for classical ML tasks like classification, regression, and clustering with smaller datasets.

Pricing

What Keras costs

Taken from the vendor's own pricing page. Prices move, so check before you buy.

Open Source

Free

  • High-level API
  • Pre-built layers
  • Model serialization

Capabilities

Features

  • Sequential and Functional API

  • Pre-built neural network layers

  • Model training and evaluation

  • Transfer learning

  • Model serialization

  • TensorFlow

    Integration with TensorFlow

  • JAX

    Integration with JAX

  • PyTorch

    Integration with PyTorch

  • Linux support

    Available on linux

  • Mac support

    Available on mac

  • Windows support

    Available on windows

Answered, with sources

Questions people ask

Each answer names the page it came from, so you can check it rather than take our word for it.

What is Keras?

Keras is a high-level deep learning API built on top of TensorFlow that simplifies building and training neural networks. Keras 3 supports multiple backends including TensorFlow, PyTorch, and JAX, making it backend-agnostic.

Source
What model architectures does Keras support?

Keras supports the Sequential model for linear stacks of layers, the Functional API for arbitrary graph architectures, and model subclassing for custom implementations. All approaches provide access to layers, optimizers, metrics, and callbacks.

Source
Can Keras models run on TPUs and GPUs?

Yes, Keras models can run on TPU Pods or large GPU clusters, be exported to run in browsers or on mobile devices, and be served via web APIs.

Source
Does Keras offer pre-trained models?

Yes, Keras provides pre-trained models through KerasHub and Keras Applications for common deep learning tasks like image classification, object detection, and NLP.

Source
Who should use Keras?

Keras is ideal for beginners and rapid prototyping due to its simplicity and user-friendly interface. Advanced users and production deployments may benefit more from lower-level frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch for greater customization.

Source

Behind it

Who makes Keras

Company
Google
Based in
Mountain View, California

Timeline

Keras over time

  1. Launch2017-01-01

    Keras integrated as high-level API in TensorFlow 2.0

    Source
  2. Founded2015-03-01

    Keras created by Francois Chollet

    Source
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Softwr does not host reviews and shows no star rating for Keras, because a rating we did not collect is not ours to publish. What is here is the pricing and platform detail from the vendor’s own pages, limitations we could state concretely, and alternatives a reviewer confirmed people weigh against it. Tell us if any of it is wrong.

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