Choosing the Right Framework
Learn how to select the perfect agentic AI framework for your project
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0 / 5 completedCost Comparison Matrix
Framework selection isn't just about features—it's about total cost of ownership. Compare upfront and ongoing costs across key dimensions.
Development Time
Existing Framework
Upfront: 2-4 weeks to MVP
Ongoing: 1-2 days/month maintenance
Faster initial development with pre-built components
Custom Framework
Upfront: 3-6 months to MVP
Ongoing: 3-5 days/month maintenance
Longer initial build but tailored to needs
Team Learning
Existing Framework
Upfront: 1-2 weeks ramp-up
Ongoing: Framework updates to track
Learn framework patterns and conventions
Custom Framework
Upfront: Minimal (your patterns)
Ongoing: Knowledge transfer critical
Full control but single point of failure risk
Technical Debt
Existing Framework
Upfront: Framework lock-in
Ongoing: Breaking changes
Tied to framework roadmap and decisions
Custom Framework
Upfront: Code you own
Ongoing: All bugs are yours
Freedom but also responsibility for everything
Ecosystem Benefits
Existing Framework
Upfront: Immediate integrations
Ongoing: New features added
Community plugins and tools available
Custom Framework
Upfront: Build all integrations
Ongoing: Maintain all code
No community support or shared tools
Interactive: Cost Calculator
Adjust parameters to estimate costs for your project:
5 developers
11020
6 months
11224
Existing Framework
$0k
Estimated total cost
Custom Framework
$0k
Estimated total cost
* Assumes $150/hr developer rate. Actual costs vary by region, experience, and requirements.
Real-World Scenarios
Startup MVP (Timeline: 4 weeks)
Use Existing Framework
Speed to market is critical. Use LangChain or similar.
Existing Framework
Time: 3 weeks
Cost: $45k
Risk: Low
Custom Framework
Time: 12+ weeks
Cost: $180k+
Risk: High
Enterprise Integration (Timeline: 6 months)
Depends on Requirements
If needs match existing frameworks, use them. Otherwise custom.
Existing Framework
Time: 4 months
Cost: $240k
Risk: Medium
Custom Framework
Time: 6 months
Cost: $360k
Risk: Medium-High
Research Platform (Timeline: 12 months)
Consider Custom
Unique requirements and full control justify investment.
Existing Framework
Time: 8 months
Cost: $480k
Risk: High (limitations)
Custom Framework
Time: 12 months
Cost: $720k
Risk: Medium (tailored)
💰 Hidden Costs to Consider
- •Opportunity cost: Time spent building framework = time not building features
- •Knowledge transfer: Custom code requires extensive documentation
- •Hiring difficulty: LangChain experts easier to find than your custom framework experts
- •Maintenance burden: All bugs and updates are your responsibility