Microsoft Agent Framework
The successor to Semantic Kernel and AutoGen, for .NET and Python
Verdict
Where Microsoft is taking Semantic Kernel and AutoGen, with separate .NET and Python release lines moving quickly. The obvious starting point for new agents on the Microsoft stack, and worth a planned migration for existing SK and AutoGen code.
Other AI Agents & Platforms
- OpenAI Responses APIProduction
OpenAI's current API for building agents — merges Chat Completions simplicity with Assistants-era tool use
- OpenAI Assistants APISuperseded
Managed agent platform with tools, files, and persistent threads — shut down in favour of the Responses API
- Claude MCP / Tool UseProduction
Anthropic's Model Context Protocol for universal tool integration
- Microsoft Copilot StudioProduction
Enterprise agent builder with Microsoft 365 and Azure integration
- AutoGenSuperseded
Microsoft's multi-agent conversation framework — succeeded by Microsoft Agent Framework
- CrewAIStable
Role-based multi-agent framework with simple, intuitive API