Semantic Kernel

Free

Microsoft's open-source SDK for AI orchestration

Microsoft · Frameworks

Visit Website

Quick Answer

Semantic Kernel is microsoft's open-source sdk for ai orchestration, made by Microsoft. It is free and open source. Key uses: Enterprise AI integration, AI agents, Plugin development.

Last updated:

What is 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.

What can you do with Semantic Kernel?

  • Enterprise AI integration
  • AI agents
  • Plugin development
  • Copilot extensions

Pros

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

Cons

  • Microsoft ecosystem bias
  • Complex for simple use cases

Specs

Tags

What are the best alternatives to Semantic Kernel?

Compare Semantic Kernel Head-to-Head

3

Frequently Asked Questions about Semantic Kernel

Is Semantic Kernel free?

Yes, Semantic Kernel is fully free and open source.

What is Semantic Kernel used for?

Semantic Kernel is used for: Enterprise AI integration, AI agents, Plugin development, Copilot extensions.

What are the best alternatives to Semantic Kernel?

Top alternatives to Semantic Kernel include LangChain, LlamaIndex, Haystack.