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Google ADK vs Langflow: Which is Better in 2026?

Agent Framework

Choosing between Google ADK and Langflow? Both are popular agent framework tools. Below we compare them on pricing, free tiers, features, and pros & cons so you can pick the right fit for your stack.

Google ADK is for: Teams on Google Cloud, or working in Java, Go or Kotlin as well as Python, that want multi-agent systems with A2A support.

Langflow is for: Teams who want to build and test agent and RAG flows visually, then serve them as APIs or MCP servers.

Quick verdict

There’s no single winner; pick on your constraint. Choose Google ADK if you work in Java or Go, or need the same framework across several languages. Choose Langflow if you want to prototype agent or RAG flows visually before writing code.

Google ADK vs Langflow — Side by Side

Google ADKLangflow
CategoryAgent FrameworkAgent Framework
What it isCode library: multi-agent development kitVisual builder for agent and RAG flows
LanguagesPython, Java, Go, TypeScript, KotlinVisual editor; Python components
LicenceApache 2.0MIT
Managed / paid optionVertex AI Agent Engine (Google Cloud, usage-based)Self-host or Langflow Desktop
Project statusActive; 1.x, 2.0 in progressActive; 1.x
PricingFree · then usage-basedFree
Starting priceFree tier availableFree tier available
Free tier
Rating4.43.9
Best forAgent Framework — Google Cloud, multi-language, A2AAgent Framework — visual builder, RAG prototyping, MCP servers

Pros & Cons

  • Deep GCP / Vertex AI integration
  • Strong multi-agent support
  • Model-agnostic via LiteLLM
  • Backed by Google
  • Best value tied to Google Cloud
  • Younger ecosystem than LangChain
  • Fastest way to prototype a chain visually
  • Exports to code rather than trapping you
  • Free and self-hostable
  • Visual editing gets unwieldy past a certain size
  • Versioning a flow is harder than versioning code

Key Features Compared

Google ADK

  • SDKs for Python, Java, Go and TypeScript, with Kotlin added later
  • Multi-agent systems and Agent2Agent (A2A) protocol support
  • Optimized for Gemini; other models through LiteLLM
  • Deploy to Vertex AI Agent Engine, Cloud Run or GKE
  • Apache 2.0 licence

Langflow

  • Drag-and-drop builder for agents and RAG flows
  • Flows served as APIs, and exposable as MCP servers
  • Works as an MCP client as well
  • Self-host it, or run Langflow Desktop locally
  • Owned by IBM through its DataStax acquisition
  • MIT licence

Choose Google ADK if…

  • You work in Java or Go, or need the same framework across several languages.
  • You’re on Google Cloud and want a managed runtime in Vertex AI Agent Engine.
  • You need agents that talk to other agents over A2A.

Choose Langflow if…

  • You want to prototype agent or RAG flows visually before writing code.
  • Non-developers on your team need to edit flows.
  • You want flows exposed as APIs or MCP servers without extra code.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Google ADK better than Langflow?⌄

There’s no single winner; pick on your constraint. Choose Google ADK if you work in Java or Go, or need the same framework across several languages. Choose Langflow if you want to prototype agent or RAG flows visually before writing code.

What is the difference between Google ADK and Langflow?⌄

What it is — Google ADK: Code library: multi-agent development kit. Langflow: Visual builder for agent and RAG flows. Languages — Google ADK: Python, Java, Go, TypeScript, Kotlin. Langflow: Visual editor; Python components. Licence — Google ADK: Apache 2.0. Langflow: MIT. Managed / paid option — Google ADK: Vertex AI Agent Engine (Google Cloud, usage-based). Langflow: Self-host or Langflow Desktop. Project status — Google ADK: Active; 1.x, 2.0 in progress. Langflow: Active; 1.x.

Google ADK vs Langflow: which is cheaper?⌄

Google ADK pricing: Free · then usage-based. Langflow pricing: Free. Confirm current pricing on each tool's official site, as plans change.

Which is rated higher, Google ADK or Langflow?⌄

In our catalog, Google ADK rates 4.4 out of 5 and Langflow rates 3.9 out of 5, so Google ADK has a slight edge on reviews.

When should I skip both Google ADK and Langflow?⌄

Skip Google ADK if you don’t use Google Cloud and want a managed runtime. LangSmith Deployment, CrewAI AMP or Mastra Cloud are options. Skip Langflow if your flows will grow large and need code review and versioning. A code library such as LangGraph is easier to manage.

Sources · tool facts checked October 2026

  1. 1.One Agent Development Kit, five languages (Google Cloud blog)cloud.google.com
  2. 2.Langflowlangflow.org

See more options in our guide to the best agent framework tools for startups.

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