Agent Framework

Mastra vs smolagents: Which is Better in 2026?

Choosing between Mastra and smolagents? 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.

Quick verdict

Both Mastra and smolagents are strong agent framework choices. The right pick comes down to your specific feature needs, existing stack, and team preferences. In our catalog, Mastra rates slightly higher (4.6 vs 4.1 out of 5).

Mastra vs smolagents — Side by Side

Mastrasmolagents
CategoryAgent FrameworkAgent Framework
PricingFreeFree
Starting priceFree tier availableFree tier available
Free tier
Rating4.64.1
Best forAgent Framework — ai, llmAgent Framework — ai, minimal

Pros & Cons

Mastra
Mastra
  • Best-in-class for TypeScript teams
  • Batteries-included (agents, workflows, memory, evals)
  • From the experienced Gatsby team
  • Strong observability & MCP support
  • Younger than Python frameworks
  • TypeScript-only ecosystem
smolagents
smolagents
  • Small enough to read end to end in an afternoon
  • Code-as-action beats JSON tool calls for many tasks
  • Hugging Face Hub integration
  • Deliberately minimal — no orchestration layer
  • Running model-written code needs a sandbox

Key Features Compared

Mastra

  • TypeScript-native agents & workflows
  • Memory & semantic recall
  • Evals & observability
  • MCP tool sharing
  • 3,300+ models via providers

smolagents

  • Code-writing agents
  • Roughly a thousand lines of core
  • Any model provider
  • Sandboxed execution options

Choose Mastra if…

  • You want a free tier to validate before paying.
  • Best-in-class for TypeScript teams
  • Batteries-included (agents, workflows, memory, evals)
  • From the experienced Gatsby team
Mastra review & pricing

Choose smolagents if…

  • You want a free tier to validate before paying.
  • Small enough to read end to end in an afternoon
  • Code-as-action beats JSON tool calls for many tasks
  • Hugging Face Hub integration
smolagents review & pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mastra better than smolagents?⌄

Both Mastra and smolagents are strong agent framework choices. The right pick comes down to your specific feature needs, existing stack, and team preferences. In our catalog, Mastra rates slightly higher (4.6 vs 4.1 out of 5).

What is the difference between Mastra and smolagents?⌄

Mastra — Open-source TypeScript agent framework from the Gatsby team — agents, workflows, memory, and observability in one modern stack. smolagents — Hugging Face's minimal agent library — agents that write and run Python. Both are agent framework tools; the comparison table above breaks down pricing, free tiers, and what each is best for.

Mastra vs smolagents: which is cheaper?⌄

Mastra pricing: Free. smolagents pricing: Free. Confirm current pricing on each tool's official site, as plans change.

Which is rated higher, Mastra or smolagents?⌄

In our catalog, Mastra rates 4.6 out of 5 and smolagents rates 4.1 out of 5, so Mastra has a slight edge on reviews.

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

Still not sure which to pick?

Get a free, AI-powered tech stack — including the best agent framework pick for your budget and team — in 60 seconds.

Build my stack free