AI agent builders
AutoGen: review, pricing, data and alternatives
AutoGen lets people building AI agents assemble several agents within one workflow. It offers visual configuration, connections to models and tools, testing of agent exchanges and configuration exports for reuse. A free tier exists. Access and transparency score: 78/100, #3 of 20 in its category.
What is AutoGen?
AutoGen lets people building AI agents assemble several agents within one workflow. It offers visual configuration, connections to models and tools, testing of agent exchanges and configuration exports for reuse.
According to its documentation, AutoGen lets you:
- assemble multiple agents in a single workflow
- configure agents in a visual interface
- connect agents to models and tools
- test exchanges between agents
- export configurations for reuse
We file it under AI agent builders, the category of tools to build your own AI agents, and it also overlaps with developer tools. The category lists 20 verified tools on this site.
The publisher is Microsoft. The service launched in 2023, which gives it some track record.
Who is it for?
It is mostly useful to these profiles: developers and researchers. The need it covers is simple to state: build your own AI agents.
AutoGen is a good candidate if:
- you want to try before paying
- you plan to connect it to your tools or automations through its API
- you must keep your data in Europe or on your own machine
- you want to read the code or host it yourself
Before deciding, run a trial on a real task and measure the time saved: it is the only criterion that really counts.
How much does AutoGen cost?
Pricing model: open source (public code). Basic use costs nothing.
To estimate what the same work would cost done directly with an AI model, use our API price calculator. Prices change often: always check the official site before subscribing.
Data and privacy
According to its privacy policy, data is processed on your device (local processing).
Local processing is the most favourable case: your files do not leave your machine for the features concerned.
Exporting your content: yes (details on the official site). Being able to get your data back makes switching tools easier later.
Three habits apply to every AI tool:
- turn off the use of your content for training if the option exists
- use a work account separate from your personal account
- review everything the tool produces before publishing or sending it
Platforms, languages and API
AutoGen runs on: web browser and API.
Interface languages: English.
A public API lets you call it from your own programs or an automation tool, and plug it into an AI agent.
The source code is public: microsoftmicrosoft/autogen.
How we scored it
Our 78/100 score does not judge output quality: it measures what can be publicly verified about access to the tool, its openness and how far the publisher can be trusted.
| Criterion | Points | What counts |
|---|---|---|
| Access | 15/30 | free tier, published price, French interface |
| Openness | 30/30 | API, data export, open code |
| Trust | 33/40 | identified publisher, declared hosting, age, presence in reference lists |
The full calculation is explained on our method page.
Comparison with alternatives
AutoGen against other tools in the aI agent builders category:
| Tool | Free | Entry price | API | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AutoGen | Yes | not published | Yes | 78 |
| Dify | Yes | $590 per year | Yes | 81 |
| Agenta | Yes | $29 per month | Yes | 78 |
| Hermes Agent | Yes | $20 per month | Yes | 73 |
| Mastra | Yes | $250 per month | Yes | 73 |
| OpenClaw | Yes | not published | – | 71 |
| Botpress | Yes | $150 per month | Yes | 68 |
| MindStudio | Yes | $20 per month | Yes | 68 |
Verdict
AutoGen is among the most accessible and transparent tools in its category.
Strengths
- Free tier to try it
- Public API
- Public source code
- Local processing available
- Established since 2023
Alternatives
Categories and jobs
Learn more
Frequently asked questions
Is AutoGen free?
Yes, a free plan exists, with usage limits.
Where is AutoGen data stored?
According to the publisher, on your device (local processing).
Does AutoGen have an API?
Yes, a public API is documented.
What are the alternatives to AutoGen?
In the same category: Dify, Agenta, Hermes Agent, and Mastra.
AutoGen or Dify: which one to choose?
Our score is 78/100 for AutoGen and 81/100 for Dify. Try both on the same task before paying.
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Neutrality. No affiliate links. No vendor pays to be reviewed, rated or ranked. Reviews are directed by François Chollet, neutral and factual, and every data point is dated and sourced. How we score