The Best LLM Application Development Frameworks in 2026
We researched LLM application development frameworks through official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables, and product documentation. Rankings reflect each framework’s core orchestration job, value for money, and verified features for retrieval, agents, prompts, tools, and workflows.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
LangChain#1 of 499.4/10A self-hosted framework for LLM apps, retrieval workflows, and agents.
Free plan
-
Runner-up
LangGraph#2 of 499.2/10Graph-based control for developers who need durable, stateful agent workflows.
Free plan
-
Top-ranked free plan
Microsoft Agent Framework#3 of 499.1/10An open-source framework for multi-agent orchestration, with checkpoints and approval gates.
Free plan
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The full ranking 49 tools, best first
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Best forGeneral-purpose LLM app and agent development
A self-hosted framework for LLM apps, retrieval workflows, and agents.
9.4/10★★★★★Visit LangChain -
Best forDevelopers building durable, stateful agent workflows
Graph-based control for developers who need durable, stateful agent workflows.
9.2/10★★★★★Visit LangGraph -
Best forMulti-agent workflows across model providers
An open-source framework for multi-agent orchestration, with checkpoints and approval gates.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Microsoft -
Best forJava teams building RAG and AI applications
A free, open-source Java framework for building RAG and AI applications in Spring.
- Prompt optimization
- Agent and tool use
- RAG support
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Spring AI -
Best forTeams building composable RAG and retrieval pipelines
A flexible Python framework for retrieval-centered LLM apps, with hybrid search and cited answers.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Haystack -
Best forStateful, inspectable workflow applications
An open-source Python framework for stateful, inspectable workflow applications.
- Workflow graphs
- Agent and tool use
- RAG support
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Apache Burr -
Best forVisual prototyping and deployment of AI flows
A visual, open-source framework for prototyping and deploying AI flows across environments.
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Langflow -
Best forReviewing or maintaining existing Flowise projects
A visual agent-building framework whose development and official operations have ended.
8.6/10★★★★☆Explore Flowise -
Best forData-centric agents and document retrieval
A data-focused framework for agents, workflows, and retrieval over connected documents.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit LlamaIndex -
Best forTeams deploying multi-agent workflows without code
A visual multi-agent workflow platform with API access, human review, and cloud or self-hosted deployment.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit CrewAI AMP -
Best forTypeScript teams building durable AI workflows
A TypeScript framework for durable agent workflows, with hosted and self-hosted options.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Mastra -
Best forTeams needing workflows and broad model choice
A developer platform for orchestrating agents and workflows across model providers.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Agno -
Best forTyped Python agents with provider flexibility
An open-source Python framework for typed agents, provider choice, and explicit control flow.
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit PydanticAI -
Best forPrototyping multi-agent conversations and runtimes
A flexible multi-agent toolkit for prototypes, but a maintenance-mode project for new builds.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit AutoGen -
Best forOptimizing prompts and evaluating LLM programs
An open-source Python framework for modular LLM programs, prompt optimization, and evaluation.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit DSPy -
Best forSelf-hosted hybrid search and RAG pipelines
A self-hostable Python framework centered on hybrid search, RAG, and retrieval workflows.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit txtai -
Best forOpenAI-centered agents with handoffs and tracing
A self-hosted Python framework for OpenAI-centered agents, handoffs, and tracing.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit OpenAI -
Best forPython or TypeScript agents with AWS options
A flexible agent SDK for developers who want provider choice and code-led orchestration.
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit AWS Strands -
Best forMulti-agent coordination with local run visualization
A multi-agent framework with leader-worker coordination, model routing, and local run visualization.
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit AgentScope -
Best forTypeScript flows with local debugging and evaluation
A TypeScript framework with flow debugging, tracing, and evaluation tools.
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Genkit -
Best forJava teams building agent and RAG applications
Java developers get APIs for LLMs, RAG, tools, memory and agent workflows.
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit LangChain4j -
Best forJavaScript teams building resilient agent workflows
An open-source TypeScript toolkit for custom LLM apps, deployed on your own infrastructure.
- Workflow graphs
- JavaScript/TypeScript SDK
- Agent and tool use
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit OrkaJS -
Best forPython teams coordinating agents and task flows
A code-first toolkit for Python teams building individual agents and coordinated workflows.
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit PraisonAI -
Best forGo teams building typed agent workflows
Typed orchestration and agent building blocks for teams developing LLM apps in Go.
- Workflow graphs
- Agent and tool use
- RAG support
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit Eino -
Best forPython-authored durable workflows with tool control
A Python framework for graph-based agent workflows, with optional durable execution and self-hosting.
- Workflow graphs
- JavaScript/TypeScript SDK
- Agent and tool use
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit Julep -
Best forPython agents for document, SQL, and data chat
A Python framework for agent orchestration, RAG, and document, SQL, or data chat.
- Workflow graphs
- Agent and tool use
- RAG support
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Langroid -
Best forPython RAG pipelines with prompt evaluation
An open-source Python framework for RAG, agent workflows and prompt evaluation.
- Prompt optimization
- JavaScript/TypeScript SDK
- Agent and tool use
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Ragbits -
Best forTyped LLM functions and prompt testing
A developer-focused framework for typed LLM outputs, prompt testing, and tool loops.
- Prompt optimization
- JavaScript/TypeScript SDK
- Agent and tool use
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit BAML -
Best forResearch and simulation with collaborative agents
A self-hosted Python framework for collaborative agents, RAG, and large-scale simulation.
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit CAMEL-AI -
Best forConstrained prompt programs with explicit control flow
Build prompt programs with typed outputs, explicit control flow and constrained decoding.
- Agent and tool use
- RAG support
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit LMQL -
Best forPython teams building multi-agent tool workflows
A Python-first framework for coordinating agents, tools, and approval-gated workflows.
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit AG2 -
Best forStructured extraction across multiple LLM providers
A multi-provider framework for schema-validated LLM outputs, not a full agent runtime.
- JavaScript/TypeScript SDK
- RAG support
6.2/10★★★☆☆Visit Instructor -
Best forPython agent teams with task decomposition
A Python framework for reusable agents, task decomposition, and tool-driven workflows.
- Agent and tool use
- RAG support
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit Orchestra -
Best forConstrained generation with grammars and schemas
A focused Python toolkit for structured generation and logical control over model output.
- Agent and tool use
- RAG support
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit Guidance -
Best forPython-based software-generation agent workflows
A self-hosted Python framework for role-based agents and software-generation workflows.
5.9/10★★★☆☆Visit MetaGPT -
Best forKnowledge-graph extraction and GraphRAG search
A Python toolkit for building knowledge graphs and searching private datasets with GraphRAG.
- Prompt optimization
- RAG support
5.8/10★★★☆☆Visit GraphRAG -
Best forLightweight agents with code-execution options
A lightweight Python framework for code-executing and structured tool-calling agents.
5.7/10★★★☆☆Visit smolagents -
Best forSmall teams building and testing AI workflows
A visual workflow builder for teams that need to test, version, and deploy AI applications.
5.6/10★★★☆☆Visit Vellum -
Best forTeams building persistent-memory agents and assistants
A framework for persistent-memory agents, with cloud and self-hosted deployment options.
5.5/10★★★☆☆Visit Letta -
Best forPython teams maintaining LLM flows through retirement
A capable flow toolkit for Python teams, with retirement planned for April 20, 2027.
- Prompt optimization
- Workflow graphs
- Agent and tool use
5.4/10★★★☆☆Visit Microsoft -
Best forDevelopers prototyping lightweight graph-based AI flows
A free, lightweight framework for graph-based LLM flows, with examples instead of built-in integrations.
- Workflow graphs
- JavaScript/TypeScript SDK
- Agent and tool use
5.3/10★★★☆☆Visit Pocket Flow -
Best forTeams wanting a self-hosted RAG API and browser UI
A self-hosted RAG framework with Python and REST APIs plus a browser UI.
- RAG support
5.2/10★★★☆☆Visit Ragna -
Best forPython teams routing queries across models and handlers
An open-source Python library for routing text, image, and agent requests to handlers.
- Agent and tool use
5.1/10★★★☆☆Visit Aurelio AI -
Best forTeams building self-hosted RAG and document search
A self-hostable RAG framework with hybrid retrieval, multimodal parsing, and citations.
5.0/10★★☆☆☆Visit OpenRAG -
Best forTeams adding runtime safety controls to LLM apps
A free, self-hosted toolkit for adding runtime safety and policy controls to LLM apps.
4.9/10★★☆☆☆Visit NVIDIA NeMo -
Best forTeams adding real-time data processing to AI apps
Build real-time data pipelines for AI apps with Python, SQL, and incremental processing.
4.8/10★★☆☆☆Visit Pathway -
Best forTypeScript teams validating structured LLM responses
An open-source library for TypeScript teams validating structured LLM responses.
- JavaScript/TypeScript SDK
4.7/10★★☆☆☆Visit TypeChat -
Best forTeams deploying AI-powered web applications
Strong deployment infrastructure for AI-powered web apps, not an LLM orchestration framework.
4.6/10★★☆☆☆Visit Vercel -
Best forNetwork teams documenting infrastructure
Scanopy maps network infrastructure; it is not built for LLM application development.
1.0/10☆☆☆☆☆Visit Scanopy
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Primary language | RAG support | Agent and tool use | Workflow graphs | Open-source license | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LangChain | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — | 9.4 |
| 2 | LangGraph | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — | 9.2 |
| 3 | Microsoft Agent Framework | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — | 9.1 |
| 4 | Spring AI | Yes | None | Java | Yes | Yes | — | Apache-2.0 | 9.0 |
| 5 | Haystack | — | None | — | — | — | — | — | 8.9 |
| 6 | Apache Burr | Yes | None | Python | Yes | Yes | Yes | Apache-2.0 | 8.8 |
| 7 | Langflow | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — | 8.7 |
| 8 | Flowise | Yes | $35/mo | — | — | — | — | — | 8.6 |
| 9 | LlamaIndex | Yes | $50/mo | — | — | — | — | — | 8.5 |
| 10 | CrewAI AMP | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8.4 |
| 11 | Mastra | Yes | $250/mo | — | — | — | — | — | 8.3 |
| 12 | Agno | Yes | $150/mo | — | — | — | — | — | 8.2 |
| 13 | PydanticAI | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — | 8.1 |
| 14 | AutoGen | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — | 8.0 |
| 15 | DSPy | — | None | — | — | — | — | — | 7.9 |
| 16 | txtai | — | None | — | — | — | — | — | 7.8 |
| 17 | OpenAI Agents SDK | — | None | — | — | — | — | — | 7.7 |
| 18 | AWS Strands Agents | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — | 7.6 |
| 19 | AgentScope | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — | 7.5 |
| 20 | Genkit | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — | 7.4 |
| 21 | LangChain4j | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — | 7.3 |
| 22 | OrkaJS | Yes | None | Javascript | Yes | Yes | Yes | Mit | 7.2 |
| 23 | PraisonAI | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — | 7.1 |
| 24 | Eino | Yes | None | Multi-language | Yes | Yes | Yes | Apache-2.0 | 7.0 |
| 25 | Julep | — | None | Python | Yes | Yes | Yes | Apache-2.0 | 6.9 |
| 26 | Langroid | Yes | None | Python | Yes | Yes | Yes | Mit | 6.8 |
| 27 | Ragbits | Yes | None | Python | Yes | Yes | — | Mit | 6.7 |
| 28 | BAML | Yes | None | Multi-language | Yes | Yes | No | Apache-2.0 | 6.6 |
| 29 | CAMEL-AI | — | None | — | — | — | — | — | 6.5 |
| 30 | LMQL | Yes | None | Python | Yes | Yes | — | Apache-2.0 | 6.4 |
| 31 | AG2 | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — | 6.3 |
| 32 | Instructor | Yes | None | Multi-language | Yes | No | No | Mit | 6.2 |
| 33 | Orchestra | Yes | None | Python | Yes | Yes | — | Apache-2.0 | 6.1 |
| 34 | Guidance | Yes | None | Python | Yes | Yes | No | Mit | 6.0 |
| 35 | MetaGPT | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — | 5.9 |
| 36 | Microsoft GraphRAG | Yes | None | Python | Yes | — | — | Mit | 5.8 |
| 37 | smolagents | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — | 5.7 |
| 38 | Vellum | Yes | $30/mo | — | — | — | — | — | 5.6 |
| 39 | Letta | Yes | $20/mo | — | — | — | — | — | 5.5 |
| 40 | Prompt flow | Yes | None | Python | Yes | Yes | Yes | Mit | 5.4 |
| 41 | Pocket Flow | Yes | None | Multi-language | Yes | Yes | Yes | Mit | 5.3 |
| 42 | Ragna | Yes | None | Python | Yes | — | — | Other | 5.2 |
| 43 | Semantic Router | Yes | None | Python | — | Yes | — | Mit | 5.1 |
| 44 | OpenRAG | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — | 5.0 |
| 45 | NVIDIA NeMo Guardrails | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — | 4.9 |
| 46 | Pathway Live Data Framework | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4.8 |
| 47 | TypeChat | Yes | None | Multi-language | No | No | No | Mit | 4.7 |
| 48 | Vercel | Yes | $20/user/mo | — | — | — | — | — | 4.6 |
| 49 | Scanopy | Yes | $11.99/mo | — | — | — | — | — | 1.0 |
Head-to-head All 22 comparisons →
- LangChain vs LangGraph
- LangChain vs Microsoft Agent Framework
- LangChain vs Spring AI
- LangChain vs Apache Burr
- LangGraph vs Microsoft Agent Framework
- LangGraph vs Spring AI
- LangGraph vs Haystack
- LangGraph vs Apache Burr
- LangGraph vs Langflow
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How we rank LLM application development frameworks
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update