CrewAI vs 
AG2
CrewAI vs AG2 compared for 2026 — features, license, ease of use, performance and which one to choose. Orchestrate role-playing agent crews vs The community continuation of AutoGen.
Updated regularly · curated by OpenSourceAI.tech
CrewAI vs AG2 at a glance
| Spec | CrewAI | AG2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | AI agent framework | AI agent framework |
| Type | Multi-agent framework | Multi-agent framework |
| License | MIT | Apache-2.0 |
| Runs locally | Cloud-optional | Cloud-optional |
| Primary language | Python | Python |
| Ease of use | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| Best for | developers building collaborative agent teams | teams invested in the AutoGen conversation model |
| GitHub stars | 55.4k | 4.8k |
How CrewAI and AG2 score
| Criterion | CrewAI | AG2 |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity | 4.5 | 2.5 |
| Maintenance | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Ease of use | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Privacy | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| License freedom | 5.0 | 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
CrewAI
CrewAI is a framework for orchestrating role-playing autonomous agents that collaborate as a crew to complete complex tasks, independent of LangChain.
- Intuitive role-based agent crews
- Standalone, no LangChain dependency
- Fast-growing community and templates
AG2
AG2 is the community-driven continuation of AutoGen, focused on multi-agent conversations and orchestration with an open governance model.
- Continuity for the AutoGen ecosystem
- Community-governed, Apache-2.0
- Mature multi-agent conversation patterns
Key differences
CrewAI is multi-agent framework, while AG2 is multi-agent framework. Their licenses differ (MIT vs Apache-2.0), which matters if you ship a commercial product. In short, CrewAI fits developers building collaborative agent teams, and AG2 fits teams invested in the AutoGen conversation model.
Which should you choose?
Choose CrewAI for developers building collaborative agent teams. Choose AG2 for teams invested in the AutoGen conversation model.
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 CrewAI or AG2 easier to use?
Both sit at a similar level (Intermediate). Your choice should come down to fit rather than difficulty.
Are CrewAI and AG2 free?
CrewAI is free and open source (MIT), and AG2 is free and open source (Apache-2.0). Neither charges for the core software.
Can I run CrewAI and AG2 locally?
CrewAI: cloud-optional · AG2: cloud-optional. Both can be used without sending your data to a third-party cloud where their setup allows.
CrewAI vs AG2 — which should I pick in 2026?
Choose CrewAI for developers building collaborative agent teams. Choose AG2 for teams invested in the AutoGen conversation model.
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