
LangChain vs Letta: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between LangChain and Letta? 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.
LangChain is for: Python and TypeScript teams that want the largest set of model, vector-store and tool integrations, with LangSmith for tracing and evaluation.
Letta is for: Teams building agents that must remember users and context across sessions and restarts, with memory as the core design.
Quick verdict
There’s no single winner; pick on your constraint. Choose LangChain if you want ready-made integrations for many models, vector stores and tools. Choose Letta if your agent must remember users and past sessions over weeks or months.
LangChain vs Letta — Side by Side
| LangChain | Letta | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Agent Framework | Agent Framework |
| What it is | Code library: LLM app and agent framework | Agent server and SDKs: agents with persistent memory |
| Languages | Python, JavaScript/TypeScript | Python and TypeScript SDKs |
| Licence | MIT | Apache 2.0 |
| Managed / paid option | LangSmith: free Developer plan, Plus $39/seat/month | Letta API: free tier, Pro $20/month plus usage |
| Project status | Active; 1.x | Active |
| Pricing | Free · paid from $39/user/mo | Free · paid from $20/mo |
| Starting price | Free tier available | Free tier available |
| Free tier | ||
| Rating | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Best for | Agent Framework — integrations, Python and TypeScript, LangSmith tracing | Agent Framework — long-term memory, stateful agents, self-host or hosted |
Pros & Cons
- Largest ecosystem & integrations
- Free open-source core
- Python and TypeScript
- LangSmith for observability
- Abstractions can feel heavy
- Fast-moving API surface
- Memory is the design centre, not an add-on
- Agents survive restarts with state intact
- Comes from the MemGPT paper
- Younger project with a moving API
- Memory model is opinionated
Key Features Compared
LangChain
- Integrations for most model providers, vector stores and tools
- Python and JavaScript/TypeScript libraries
- Agents built on the LangGraph runtime since LangChain 1.0
- LangSmith for tracing and evals: free Developer plan (5,000 traces a month), Plus at $39 per seat a month
- MIT licence
Letta
- Persistent, self-editing agent memory (from the MemGPT research)
- Agents keep their state across restarts
- Self-hosted server, or the hosted Letta API
- Hosted plans: free tier and Pro at $20 a month with pay-as-you-go usage
- Letta Code, an open-source coding agent with memory across sessions
- Apache 2.0 licence
Choose LangChain if…
- You want ready-made integrations for many models, vector stores and tools.
- Your team works in both Python and TypeScript.
- You want tracing and evaluation from the same vendor through LangSmith.
Choose Letta if…
- Budget is tight — paid plans start lower ($20/mo vs $39/mo).
- Your agent must remember users and past sessions over weeks or months.
- You want agents that keep state when the process restarts.
- You want the choice of self-hosting or a hosted API.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is LangChain better than Letta?⌄
There’s no single winner; pick on your constraint. Choose LangChain if you want ready-made integrations for many models, vector stores and tools. Choose Letta if your agent must remember users and past sessions over weeks or months.
What is the difference between LangChain and Letta?⌄
What it is — LangChain: Code library: LLM app and agent framework. Letta: Agent server and SDKs: agents with persistent memory. Languages — LangChain: Python, JavaScript/TypeScript. Letta: Python and TypeScript SDKs. Licence — LangChain: MIT. Letta: Apache 2.0. Managed / paid option — LangChain: LangSmith: free Developer plan, Plus $39/seat/month. Letta: Letta API: free tier, Pro $20/month plus usage. Project status — LangChain: Active; 1.x. Letta: Active.
LangChain vs Letta: which is cheaper?⌄
LangChain pricing: Free · paid from $39/user/mo. Letta pricing: Free · paid from $20/mo. Confirm current pricing on each tool's official site, as plans change.
Which is rated higher, LangChain or Letta?⌄
In our catalog, LangChain rates 4.5 out of 5 and Letta rates 4.0 out of 5, so LangChain has a slight edge on reviews.
When should I skip both LangChain and Letta?⌄
Skip LangChain if you want a thin library you can read end to end. smolagents and the OpenAI Agents SDK are much smaller. Skip Letta if you only need short-lived task agents. A lighter SDK is simpler.
Sources · tool facts checked October 2026
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