Google ADK vs 
Julep
Google ADK vs Julep compared for 2026 — features, license, ease of use, performance and which one to choose. Google's official Agent Development Kit vs Stateful agents as a service.
Updated regularly · curated by OpenSourceAI.tech
Google ADK vs Julep at a glance
| Spec | Google ADK | Julep |
|---|---|---|
| Category | AI agent framework | AI agent framework |
| Type | Agent framework | Agent backend |
| License | Apache-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Runs locally | Partial | Yes |
| Primary language | Python | Python |
| Ease of use | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| Best for | production agents on the Google/Gemini stack | agents that must run for days, not seconds |
| GitHub stars | 20.6k | 6.6k |
How Google ADK and Julep score
| Criterion | Google ADK | Julep |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity | 3.5 | 2.5 |
| Maintenance | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Ease of use | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Privacy | 3.5 | 5.0 |
| 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
Google ADK
ADK is Google's code-first framework for building, evaluating and deploying agents: hierarchical multi-agent systems, workflow control, built-in eval and a path to Vertex AI.
- Model-agnostic but optimized for Gemini
- Workflow agents give deterministic orchestration
- Built-in evaluation and deployment story
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
Google ADK is agent framework, while Julep is agent backend. They also differ in how they run (Partial vs Yes). In short, Google ADK fits production agents on the Google/Gemini stack, and Julep fits agents that must run for days, not seconds.
Which should you choose?
Choose Google ADK for production agents on the Google/Gemini stack. 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 Google ADK or Julep easier to use?
Both sit at a similar level (Intermediate). Your choice should come down to fit rather than difficulty.
Are Google ADK and Julep free?
Google ADK is free and open source (Apache-2.0), and Julep is free and open source (Apache-2.0). Neither charges for the core software.
Can I run Google ADK and Julep locally?
Google ADK: partial · Julep: yes. Both can be used without sending your data to a third-party cloud where their setup allows.
Google ADK vs Julep — which should I pick in 2026?
Choose Google ADK for production agents on the Google/Gemini stack. Choose Julep for agents that must run for days, not seconds.
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