Semantic Kernel
RAG & Memory · Free + paid
Microsoft's SDK for AI orchestration
At a glance
- Made by
- Microsoft
- Korean
- UI in Korean
- Available on
- Windows, Mac
- Open source
- MIT
- GitHub
- 28,659 stars · MIT
What is Semantic Kernel?
Semantic Kernel is a model-agnostic SDK that lets you build anything from simple chatbots to complex multi-agent workflows. It connects to many LLMs such as OpenAI, Azure OpenAI, and Hugging Face, and builds agents with tools, plugins, memory, and planning. It supports Python, .NET, and Java. According to the GitHub notice, Semantic Kernel now continues as its successor product, Microsoft Agent Framework.
- Connects to many LLMs, including OpenAI, Azure OpenAI, Hugging Face, and NVIDIA
- Agent framework with tools, plugins, memory, and planning
- Multi-agent orchestration of specialized agents that collaborate
- Extensible with native functions, prompt templates, OpenAPI, and MCP plugins
- Vector DB integration with Azure AI Search, Elasticsearch, Chroma, and more
- Multimodal input of text, vision, and audio
- Local execution with Ollama, LMStudio, and ONNX
- Process Framework for modeling business processes
Who uses Semantic Kernel and for what
- Developers build simple chatbots or complex multi-agent workflows
Pricing
Open source + paid cloud-managed plans
Open-source libraries are free, managed vector DB/memory services are paid based on usage
Estimate based on AI knowledge - please verify on the official site
AI tools similar to Semantic Kernel (alternatives)
Semantic Kernel vs. alternatives at a glance
| AI | Pricing | Combos on the map | Connected tools | Free | Cheapest monthly | Korean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semantic Kernel | Free + paid | 0 | 5 | — | — | Yes |
| DSPy | Free + paid | 0 | 5 | — | — | No |
| Haystack | Free + paid | 0 | 5 | Yes | — | No |
| LangChain | Free + paid | 18 | 5 | Yes | $39/mo | No |
| LlamaIndex | Free + paid | 18 | 5 | Yes | $50/mo | No |
3 of these 5 tools have a free plan. Cheapest paid plan: LangChain ($39/mo).
Combo and connection counts are based on the relationships recorded on AI Galaxy Map (2026-10-26); they are not a quality ranking.
Semantic Kernel on AI Galaxy Map
- One of 21 AI tools in the RAG & Memory field.
- Connected to 5 other tools — #1 in its field.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Semantic Kernel for free?
Open source + paid cloud-managed plans. Prices can change, so check the official site before paying.
What AI can I use instead of Semantic Kernel?
Tools that do the same job, such as DSPy, Haystack, LangChain, LlamaIndex, are connected to it on the map.
Can I use Semantic Kernel in Korean?
UI in Korean
Sources (official pages)
Checked on the official pages on 2026-10-14. Prices and features can change, so check the official site again before paying.