Open-source framework for orchestrating role-playing autonomous AI agents in collaborative crews.
Multi-agentTool useMemory
Demo · hover to play
AutoGen vs Continuewhich AI ops agent should you pick in 2026?
Microsoft's open-source multi-agent framework — orchestrate conversations between specialised agents.
Multi-agentTool useCodeMemory
AutoGen vs Continue — specs
| Spec | AutoGen | Continue |
|---|---|---|
| Agent Rank | 72 / 100 (A) | 77 / 100 (A) |
| Autonomy | Autonomous | Semi-autonomous |
| Pricing | Free · OSS | Free · OSS |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Capabilities | Multi-agent, Tool use, Code, Memory | Code, Tool use, Memory |
| Integrations | 3 apps | 3 apps |
| Verified | Verified | Verified |
| Released | Apr 2024 | Feb 2025 |
Agent Rank breakdown
AutoGen
Agent Rank
72/ 100
- Autonomy fit
- 9
- Capabilities
- 8
- Integrations
- 2
- Pricing value
- 10
- Polish & maturity
- 7
- Verifiability
- 7
Auto-computed from autonomy, capabilities, integrations, pricing, maturity and editorial verification. Updated every deploy. How is this computed?
Continue
Agent Rank
77/ 100
- Autonomy fit
- 8
- Capabilities
- 6
- Integrations
- 4
- Pricing value
- 10
- Polish & maturity
- 8
- Verifiability
- 10
Auto-computed from autonomy, capabilities, integrations, pricing, maturity and editorial verification. Updated every deploy. How is this computed?
Pros & cons
AutoGen
Continue
Pros
- +Apache 2.0 — fully open source; auditable end-to-end
- +Works with any OpenAI-compatible API endpoint, including local LLMs
- +JetBrains support that Cursor and Cline lack
Cons
- −Smaller community than Cursor or Cline
- −Less polished than Cursor; requires more configuration
- −No native MCP server marketplace — manual config required
Pricing
AutoGen
Continue
Open source
Free
Engineers + teams
- +Apache 2.0 license
- +BYO model API key
- +VS Code + JetBrains support
Recommended
Hub
$20/mo
Teams sharing config
- +Shared models + assistants
- +Org-wide rules and prompts
- +Usage analytics
Which one should you pick?
AutoGen
Pick AutoGen if you want the highest autonomy and the verification loop is in place.
Try AutoGen →Continue
Pick Continue if its specific capabilities (Code, Tool use) match what you need.
Try Continue →Affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked
Should I pick AutoGen or Continue in 2026?+
Pick AutoGen if you want the highest autonomy and the verification loop is in place. Pick Continue if its specific capabilities (Code, Tool use) match what you need. Most working teams running both can use AutoGen for primary work and Continue for the workflows where its specific strengths matter.
What's the price difference between AutoGen and Continue?+
Both AutoGen and Continue start in the same pricing range (Free · OSS vs Free · OSS). Total cost of ownership depends on your team size and volume — see the TCO calculator for your specific math.
Which is more autonomous, AutoGen or Continue?+
AutoGen is the more autonomous of the two (Autonomous vs Semi-autonomous). Higher autonomy ships throughput faster but requires verification loops in place — see our autonomous-vs-copilot framing for when each tier wins.
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Demo · hover to playOpenAI's lightweight multi-agent reference implementation — handoff + routine patterns, educational.
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See more alternatives: alternatives to AutoGen · alternatives to Continue
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