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OpenAI Agents SDK

OpenAI’s open-source agent SDK for handoffs, tools, and tracing. The SDK is free; the API is not.

Open OpenAI Agents SDKBest AI agent frameworks

Best for

Agents that should stay close to OpenAI’s tools, handoffs, and tracing.

What it is

The OpenAI Agents SDK is an open-source library for tools, handoffs, and tracing, with a Python package and a TypeScript counterpart. It is the official way to build agents against OpenAI models. The SDK costs nothing; token use does.

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Score breakdown

  • Capability 40%84
  • Ease 25%76
  • Value 20%90
  • Momentum 15%88

Pricing

Free

Starting price: $0

The SDK is open source. Usage of the OpenAI API is billed separately. Check platform pricing for tokens.

Dates

Released 2025 (year precision).

Added to StackPick 14 Oct 2026.

Alternatives

A-tier · 81

Pydantic AI

Python services that want typed tool-calling agents.

A-tier · 88

Claude Code

People who already like Claude and want an agent in the terminal or IDE.

A-tier · 89

Vercel AI SDK

TypeScript apps that need streaming chat or a small tool-calling agent.

Questions

What is OpenAI Agents SDK best for?

Agents that should stay close to OpenAI’s tools, handoffs, and tracing.

How much does OpenAI Agents SDK cost?

Free. Starting price: $0. The SDK is open source. Usage of the OpenAI API is billed separately. Check platform pricing for tokens.

What are alternatives to OpenAI Agents SDK?

Pydantic AI, Claude Code, Vercel AI SDK are the alternatives we file next to it. Open a comparison when one exists.