Agno vs 
Julep
Agno vs Julep compared for 2026 — features, license, ease of use, performance and which one to choose. Fast, lightweight multi-modal agents vs Stateful agents as a service.
Updated regularly · curated by OpenSourceAI.tech
Agno vs Julep at a glance
| Spec | Agno | Julep |
|---|---|---|
| Category | AI agent framework | AI agent framework |
| Type | Agent framework | Agent backend |
| License | MPL-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Runs locally | Cloud-optional | Yes |
| Primary language | Python | Python |
| Ease of use | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| Best for | fast agents with memory and tools | agents that must run for days, not seconds |
| GitHub stars | 41.1k | 6.6k |
How Agno and Julep score
| Criterion | Agno | Julep |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity | 4.0 | 2.5 |
| Maintenance | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Ease of use | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Privacy | 3.5 | 5.0 |
| License freedom | 3.5 | 5.0 |
Scores are computed automatically from public signals — GitHub stars (popularity), recent commit activity (maintenance), license type (freedom), local-first design (privacy) and onboarding complexity (ease of use). Indicative, not a verdict.
What each one is
Agno
Agno (formerly Phidata) is a lightweight, high-performance framework for building multi-modal agents with memory, knowledge and tools, plus a monitoring UI.
- Very fast agent instantiation
- Built-in memory, knowledge and tools
- Multi-modal and model-agnostic
Julep
Julep provides a backend for long-running, stateful agents with persistent memory and scheduled tasks, so your agents survive restarts.
- Persistent state across sessions
- Scheduled and long-running tasks
- Self-hostable backend
Key differences
Agno is agent framework, while Julep is agent backend. Their licenses differ (MPL-2.0 vs Apache-2.0), which matters if you ship a commercial product. They also differ in how they run (Cloud-optional vs Yes). In short, Agno fits fast agents with memory and tools, and Julep fits agents that must run for days, not seconds.
Which should you choose?
Choose Agno for fast agents with memory and tools. Choose Julep for agents that must run for days, not seconds.
There is rarely one winner — many setups use both. The right pick depends on your hardware, your team's skills, and whether you value simplicity or control.
Frequently asked questions
Is Agno or Julep easier to use?
Both sit at a similar level (Intermediate). Your choice should come down to fit rather than difficulty.
Are Agno and Julep free?
Agno is free and open source (MPL-2.0), and Julep is free and open source (Apache-2.0). Neither charges for the core software.
Can I run Agno and Julep locally?
Agno: cloud-optional · Julep: yes. Both can be used without sending your data to a third-party cloud where their setup allows.
Agno vs Julep — which should I pick in 2026?
Choose Agno for fast agents with memory and tools. Choose Julep for agents that must run for days, not seconds.
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