Key features
Core capabilities each platform advertises.
Data not available
- Enterprise AI orchestration by Microsoft
- C# and Python SDKs
- Plugin architecture for tools
- Memory and planning capabilities
- Azure and Microsoft 365 integration
Updated March 10, 2026
The OpenAI Agents SDK is a lightweight Python framework for building multi-agent workflows with built-in tracing and guardrails. It provides primitives for defining agents with instructions and tools, orchestrating handoffs between agents, and implementing input/output guardrails for safety.
Semantic Kernel is Microsoft's enterprise SDK for integrating AI into applications. It provides planners for multi-step task execution, plugin architectures for tool use, memory systems, and connectors for all major LLM providers. Available in C#, Python, and Java, Semantic Kernel is designed for enterprise .NET shops building AI-powered features into existing applications.
Core capabilities each platform advertises.
What each tool does well, and the limitations to keep in mind.
Pros
Cons
Pros
Cons
Choose OpenAI Agents if you wantChoose if you want
Choose Semantic Kernel if you wantChoose if you want
Respan lets you trace LLM and agent calls across any model or framework, A/B test prompts on production traffic, and route requests across 1,000+ models through one gateway.
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