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What is AutoGen?
AutoGen is Microsoft's open-source framework for building applications where multiple AI agents converse with each other (and optionally a human) to solve a task, with flexible control over how agents are structured and how conversations flow.
Key features
- Conversational multi-agent framework with flexible topologies
- Human-in-the-loop options for approving or guiding agent actions
- Code execution support for agents that need to run and test code
- AutoGen Studio for a lower-code visual interface
- Active open-source community and research backing
How to get started
- Install the AutoGen Python package, or try AutoGen Studio
- Define the agents you need and their conversation roles
- Configure the conversation flow and any human checkpoints
- Run the multi-agent conversation and review the result
Use cases
- Research prototypes exploring multi-agent collaboration
- Automated code generation with a coder and reviewer agent
- Complex tasks that benefit from agents debating an approach
- Academic and experimental agent-system development
AutoGen vs. alternatives
| Tool | How it compares |
|---|---|
| AutoGen | Microsoft's framework for multi-agent conversations. |
| CrewAI | more opinionated, role-based structure |
| LangGraph | graph-based state management instead |
FAQ
Is AutoGen free to use?
AutoGen's plans: Free, open-source. Pricing and free-tier limits change over time, so check the official site above for the latest details.
What is AutoGen used for?
Microsoft's framework for multi-agent conversations.
Who is AutoGen best for?
AutoGen is a good fit for research prototypes exploring multi-agent collaboration, or automated code generation with a coder and reviewer agent.
What are the alternatives to AutoGen?
Commonly compared alternatives include CrewAI and LangGraph, see the comparison above for how they differ.
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LLast reviewed: 2026-08 · Reviewed by AIKetra editors · How we evaluate tools