# AutoGen Alternatives: Features, Pricing and Comparison

*Developer Frameworks*

Looking for an alternative to AutoGen? Compare features, pricing, and fit to choose the right platform.

AutoGen vs Sistava

AutoGen pioneered the multi-agent conversation pattern where AI agents collaborate by talking to each other, and has now evolved into Microsoft Agent Framework combining AutoGen with Semantic Kernel for enterprise use. While powerful for developers, it requires significant engineering for production workflows. Sistava delivers a managed AI workforce where business users hire employees and get work done immediately.

> **Bottom line:** AutoGen is a research framework requiring Python expertise and infrastructure management. Sistava is a managed platform anyone can use.

## Profile

- **Pricing:** Open-source (free, Apache 2.0). No hosted cloud offering. Self-host only.
- **Founded:** 2023, Microsoft Research (now evolved into Microsoft Agent Framework, GA Q1 2026)
- **Funding:** Microsoft-backed. 54,600+ GitHub stars. Community fork: AG2 (ag2.ai).
- **Focus:** Open-source multi-agent conversation framework with inter-agent chat patterns

## Why choose Sistava as an alternative to AutoGen

- AutoGen is a research framework requiring Python expertise and infrastructure management. Sistava is a managed platform anyone can use.
- Sistava ships pre-built AI teams from a marketplace. AutoGen requires designing, coding, and testing every agent interaction from scratch.
- Sistava includes thousands of integrations, browser automation, task boards, and file Drive. AutoGen provides conversation patterns only.
- Sistava runs on Temporal with durable execution and full inspection. AutoGen has no built-in persistence or execution durability.
- Sistava has production-grade guardrails, PII detection, and approval gates. AutoGen is an experimental framework with no built-in safety features.

## Feature Comparison

| Feature | AutoGen | Sistava |
|---|---|---|
| No-Code Setup | AutoGen Studio (experimental) | ✓ |
| Multi-Agent Orchestration | Group chat patterns | ✓ |
| Pre-Built Teams | ✗ | ✓ |
| Managed Hosting | ✗ | ✓ |
| Code Execution | Built-in sandboxed | Via tools |
| 7-Layer Memory System | Conversation history | ✓ |
| App Integrations | Custom tools only | Thousands of native + MCP |
| Guardrails and PII Detection | ✗ | ✓ |
| Execution Inspection | ✗ | ✓ |
| Task Board and File Drive | ✗ | ✓ |
| Durable Execution (Temporal) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Production Ready | Experimental | ✓ |
| Open Source | ✓ | ✗ |
| Starting Price | Free (open-source only) | Free (5,000 lifetime credits) + $25/mo |

## What is Sistava?

Sistava is an AI workforce platform where you hire AI employees and work with them through conversation. Tell an employee what you need in plain language, and Sistava handles the setup behind the scenes, including the tools, context, and team coordination needed for the work. You do not need to learn AI configuration or build workflows first. You can start with the work you want done, stay involved in the decisions that matter, and see how your team is moving forward.

[Learn about Sistava](/en)