Side-by-Side Comparison · 2026

LlamaIndex vs Semantic Kernel: Full Comparison (2026)

LlamaIndex is data framework for building llm applications over your data. Semantic Kernel is microsoft's open-source sdk for ai orchestration. Use the breakdown below to find the right fit for your needs.

LlamaIndex

LlamaIndex

Free
vs

Semantic Kernel

Microsoft

Free
This page presents factual information sourced from publicly available vendor documentation and product pages. AIHub does not endorse either product. The right tool depends on your specific use case, team, and requirements — we recommend evaluating both tools directly before making a decision.

Side-by-Side Overview

Pricing Model
LlamaIndex: FreeSemantic Kernel: Free
API Access
LlamaIndex: Not availableSemantic Kernel: Not available
Platforms
LlamaIndex: WebSemantic Kernel: Web
Integrations
LlamaIndex: —Semantic Kernel: —
Vendor
LlamaIndex: LlamaIndexSemantic Kernel: Microsoft
Category
LlamaIndex: FrameworksSemantic Kernel: Frameworks
Launch
LlamaIndex: —Semantic Kernel: —

About LlamaIndex

LlamaIndex (formerly GPT Index) simplifies connecting custom data sources to LLMs. Provides data connectors, indexing strategies, and query engines for building RAG applications.

Designed For

  • RAG over documents
  • Structured data querying
  • Multi-agent systems
  • Knowledge bases
Full LlamaIndex details

About Semantic Kernel

Semantic Kernel is Microsoft's open-source SDK for integrating LLMs into .NET, Python, and Java applications. Designed for enterprise AI orchestration with plugins, planners, and memory components for building complex AI agents. Microsoft's release candidate of Microsoft Agent Framework, announced on 19 February 2026, came with a guide for migrating Semantic Kernel and AutoGen projects to it.

Designed For

  • Enterprise AI integration
  • AI agents
  • Plugin development
  • Copilot extensions
Full Semantic Kernel details

Strengths & Limitations

LlamaIndex

Strengths

  • Data-focused
  • Easy RAG setup
  • Many connectors

Limitations

  • Less agent-focused than LangChain
  • Learning curve

Semantic Kernel

Strengths

  • Multi-language (.NET/Python/Java)
  • Microsoft support
  • Enterprise-focused

Limitations

  • Microsoft ecosystem bias
  • Complex for simple use cases

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between LlamaIndex and Semantic Kernel?

LlamaIndex is data framework for building llm applications over your data, while Semantic Kernel is microsoft's open-source sdk for ai orchestration. LlamaIndex is designed for Frameworks; Semantic Kernel is designed for Frameworks. The right fit depends on your specific requirements.

How do the pricing models compare?

LlamaIndex is available under a Free model. Semantic Kernel is available under a Free model. Always verify pricing on each vendor's official website as it may change.

How do I choose between LlamaIndex and Semantic Kernel?

Consider your team's technical requirements, budget, existing tooling, and use case before deciding. We recommend signing up for free trials or demos of both tools where available, and consulting each vendor's documentation. AIHub provides this comparison for informational purposes only.