# crewAI vs MetaGPT
_Agent Frameworks · independent comparison_

> crewAI and MetaGPT are both open-source agent frameworks you can self-host for free. They're closely matched, so the choice comes down to language, license, and which approach fits your workflow. Neither is universally better — pick by fit.

## Side by side

**crewAI**
- Open source · Framework · 59k★ · Python · MIT · active today
- Best for: Orchestrating role-based multi-agent crews in Python with an approachable API.
- Avoid if: You need fine-grained low-level control of agent state machines.
- [listing](https://agentsearchengine.app/agents/crewai) · [official](https://crewai.com)

**MetaGPT**
- Open source · Framework · 71k★ · Python · MIT · active 8 months ago
- Best for: Experimenting with role-based multi-agent collaboration for software and document generation.
- [listing](https://agentsearchengine.app/agents/metagpt) · [official](https://atoms.dev/)

## Which to choose

**Choose crewAI if:** Orchestrating role-based multi-agent crews in Python with an approachable API.

**Choose MetaGPT if:** Experimenting with role-based multi-agent collaboration for software and document generation.

## FAQ

**What's the main difference between crewAI and MetaGPT?**
Both are agent frameworks built for a similar job; the differences are subtle — compare them on adoption, language, and license in the table above.

**Is crewAI or MetaGPT better?**
Neither is universally better. crewAI is the stronger fit for Orchestrating role-based multi-agent crews in Python with an approachable API; MetaGPT for Experimenting with role-based multi-agent collaboration for software and document generation. Use the side-by-side specs to decide by your own constraints.

**Is crewAI or MetaGPT free?**
crewAI is free to run and self-host; MetaGPT is free to run and self-host. Both are free to self-host — you only pay for the infrastructure and any model or API usage.

**Which is more popular, crewAI or MetaGPT?**
By GitHub stars — a proxy for open-source adoption — MetaGPT is ahead (71k vs 59k). Stars measure attention, not necessarily the better fit for you.

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Source: [Agent Search Engine](https://agentsearchengine.app) — https://agentsearchengine.app/compare/crewai-vs-metagpt