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ChatDev alternatives (2026)
ChatDev is a frameworks tool: Zero-code multi-agent platform from OpenBMB, grown from a software-development agent company into a general multi-agent orchestration system. Pricing, as the maker states it: Open source. Its GitHub repo has 34,545 stars. We found 132 tools in the directory that do overlapping work (writing code, building AI agents, building multi-agent systems); 126 of them are open source and 2 list a free or freemium plan. Below are the 10 closest, ranked by how many tasks and sub-tasks they share with ChatDev, then by GitHub stars.
Updated
Quick comparison Top 10 of 11 listed below. Pricing as the maker states it; blank means we don't have it.
| Tool | Pricing | Best for | Open source |
|---|---|---|---|
 PraisonAI | Open source | Write code | Yes |
 Langroid | Open source | Write code | Yes |
 LazyLLM | Open source | Write code | Yes |
 Ruflo | Open source | Build multi-agent systems | Yes |
 MetaGPT | Open source | Build an agent | Yes |
 AutoGen | Open source | Build multi-agent systems | Yes |
 CrewAI | Open source + cloud | Build multi-agent systems | Yes |
 Agno | Open source + cloud | Build multi-agent systems | Yes |
 AgentScope | Open source | Build multi-agent systems | Yes |
 Orkes | Open source + cloud | Build an agent | Yes |
- PraisonAI (Open source): Multi-agent framework for building a self-improving AI workforce with little code. Consider it because it also covers agent frameworks and SDKs.
- Langroid (Open source): Python framework for multi-agent programming with LLMs. Consider it because it also covers agent frameworks and SDKs.
- LazyLLM (Open source): Low-code framework for building multi-agent LLM applications. Consider it because it also covers agent frameworks and SDKs.
- Ruflo (Open source): Open-source multi-agent meta-harness for Claude Code, Codex, and MCP clients; Oct 13 release adds Mods (mission workflows) and a single control plane with human approval. Consider it because it also covers running many agents in parallel and workflow automation; it has more GitHub stars (74,609 vs 34,545).
- MetaGPT (Open source): Multi-agent framework that assigns roles like product manager and engineer to LLM agents to build software. Consider it because it also covers agent frameworks and SDKs; it has more GitHub stars (70,885 vs 34,545).
- AutoGen (Open source): Microsoft's framework for multi-agent conversations, now archived and no longer maintained; Microsoft points new users to Microsoft Agent Framework. Consider it because it also covers agent frameworks and SDKs; it has more GitHub stars (61,395 vs 34,545).
- CrewAI (Open source + cloud): Framework for role-based multi-agent crews. Consider it because it also covers agent frameworks and SDKs; it has more GitHub stars (59,675 vs 34,545).
- Agno (Open source + cloud): Python framework and runtime for building, running and managing multi-agent systems with memory, knowledge and tools. Consider it because it also covers memory and agent frameworks and SDKs; it has more GitHub stars (42,769 vs 34,545).
- AgentScope (Open source): Framework for building and running transparent multi-agent applications with visual debugging. Consider it because it also covers agent frameworks and SDKs and images and design.
- Orkes (Open source + cloud): Orchestration platform built on Conductor for durable workflows and AI agents. Consider it because it also covers workflow automation.
ChatDev vs alternatives at a glance
| Tool | Pricing | Open source / licence | GitHub stars | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 ChatDev | Open source | Apache License 2.0 | 34,545 | writing code, building AI agents |
| PraisonAI | Open source | MIT | 9,243 | writing code, building AI agents |
| Langroid | Open source | MIT | 4,117 | writing code, building AI agents |
| LazyLLM | Open source | Apache License 2.0 | 3,889 | writing code, building AI agents |
| Ruflo | Open source | MIT | 74,609 | automating workflows, building AI agents |
| MetaGPT | Open source | MIT | 70,885 | building AI agents, building multi-agent systems |
| AutoGen | Open source | MIT for code (LICENSE-CODE); CC-BY-4.0 for documentation | 61,395 | building AI agents, building multi-agent systems |
| CrewAI | Open source + cloud | MIT | 59,675 | building AI agents, building multi-agent systems |
| Agno | Open source + cloud | Apache License 2.0 | 42,769 | building AI agents, building multi-agent systems |
| AgentScope | Open source | Apache License 2.0 | 33,376 | building AI agents, building multi-agent systems |
| Orkes | Open source + cloud | Apache License 2.0 | 32,319 | automating workflows, building AI agents |
More: ChatDev listing · All frameworks tools · All alternatives pages
Related searches: Multi-agent frameworks · Open-source AI agent frameworks
Alternatives are picked from directory data only: same category plus shared tasks and sub-tasks. Pricing is as each maker states it; GitHub stars as recorded on each listing.