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MetaGPT vs. AutoGen: two pioneers compared

In short: neither MetaGPT nor AutoGen is a good basis for new production systems, because both see hardly any new releases. MetaGPT remains useful for research and prototypes of small software projects; for AutoGen, Microsoft recommends switching to the Microsoft Agent Framework. If you maintain an existing AutoGen system, plan the migration (as of October 2026).

· Reviewed

AMetaGPTSoftware development via SOPs

MetaGPT simulates a software company: product manager, architect, project manager and engineer exchange structured documents and turn a one-line requirement into specs and code. The last PyPI release dates from March 2025; the core team focuses on the commercial product Atoms (formerly MGX).

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BAutoGenMaintenance mode

Microsoft's AutoGen lets agents work together in conversations and teams (round robin, selector, swarm), including code execution. AutoGen is in maintenance mode and community managed; the last release (0.7.5) dates from September 2025. Microsoft recommends the Microsoft Agent Framework (1.0 since April 2026) for new projects.

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Detailed comparison

MetaGPT vs. AutoGen: two pioneers compared
CriterionMetaGPTAutoGen
Core conceptRoles with standard operating procedures, document handoversAgents in conversations and teams
Typical useGenerating small software projects from a requirementResearch, code generation, flexible agent dialogues
Maintenance statusFew releases since 2025 (last PyPI release 0.8.2, March 2025)Maintenance mode, community managed (last release 0.7.5, September 2025)
Successor or alternativeNo official successor; commercial product Atoms from the same teamMicrosoft Agent Framework, with a migration guide
LanguagesPython 3.9 to 3.11Python (3.10 or later), .NET
Model supportOpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Azure, Ollama and others via configOpenAI, Azure OpenAI, Anthropic, Ollama and others via autogen-ext
ResultsRequirements document, system design, task list and codeConversation history and the results of the agents' tools
No-code optionCommercial product Atoms (formerly MGX)AutoGen Studio (for prototypes)
GitHub stars (October 2026)about 70,000about 60,000
LicenseMITMIT (code), CC-BY-4.0 (docs)

Which one for which situation?

You are starting a new production multi-agent system
Neither of the two. Use the Microsoft Agent Framework for conversations and workflows, CrewAI for role-based teams or LangGraph for full control over the process. All three are actively maintained.
You run an existing AutoGen 0.4+ system
Keep it running, but plan the switch to the Microsoft Agent Framework. The concepts (agent, tools, team, termination condition) largely map to each other, and Microsoft provides a migration guide.
You still use the old AutoGen 0.2 API (pyautogen)
This line is no longer maintained. Either move to the Microsoft Agent Framework or to AG2, the community fork, which has a new Agent API since version 1.0.
You teach or research multi-agent collaboration
MetaGPT shows structured handovers between roles very clearly and is backed by a peer-reviewed paper (ICLR 2024). AutoGen Studio helps you demonstrate agent conversations without code.
You want a quick prototype of a small app from a single sentence
MetaGPT generates requirements, design and code in one run. Check whether Python 3.9 to 3.11 is available in your environment, and expect a prototype, not production code.

Frequently asked questions

Are MetaGPT and AutoGen still being developed?

Hardly. The latest MetaGPT version on PyPI is 0.8.2 from March 2025, and the team focuses on the commercial product Atoms (formerly MGX). AutoGen is in maintenance mode and, according to its README, community managed; the latest version 0.7.5 came out in September 2025.

What is the successor to AutoGen?

For new projects Microsoft recommends the Microsoft Agent Framework, which merges AutoGen and Semantic Kernel. It has been available as version 1.0 since April 2026, for Python and .NET, and Microsoft provides a migration guide from AutoGen.

What is the difference between AutoGen and AG2?

AG2 is a community fork of the earlier AutoGen version 0.2 and independent of Microsoft. Since AG2 1.0 (July 2026) it has a new Agent API. AutoGen 0.4 and later, by contrast, is Microsoft's rebuild, which is now in maintenance mode.

Can I use MetaGPT with current Python versions?

Only to a limited extent. The latest published version supports Python 3.9 to 3.11. AutoGen AgentChat requires Python 3.10 or later, and so does the Microsoft Agent Framework.

Which alternative fits a new project?

The Microsoft Agent Framework for conversations and workflows between agents, CrewAI for role-based teams and LangGraph for full control over the workflow. All three are actively maintained and licensed under MIT.

Choose MetaGPT if

  • you research or teach multi-agent collaboration
  • you want to generate small prototypes including specs and diagrams
  • you are looking for ideas for structured handovers between agents

Choose AutoGen if

  • you maintain an existing system on AutoGen 0.4 or later
  • you use AutoGen Studio for prototypes or teaching
  • for new projects: use the Microsoft Agent Framework instead

Our verdict

Both frameworks shaped the field: MetaGPT with structured handovers between roles, AutoGen with flexible agent conversations. Today, however, neither is a good basis for new production systems.

If you liked AutoGen's model, use the Microsoft Agent Framework. For role-based teams, CrewAI is actively maintained; for full control over processes, LangGraph. Use MetaGPT for research and prototypes.

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