{ "data": { "a": { "slug": "docker-agent", "name": "Docker Agent", "vendor": "Docker", "vendorUrl": "https://docker.github.io/docker-agent/", "kind": "framework", "category": "frameworks", "summary": "Docker's open-source runtime for building and running AI agents from YAML or HCL files, formerly cagent. It runs as a `docker agent` CLI plugin with a terminal UI, headless mode, HTTP, MCP and A2A servers, and a Go library.", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/docker-agent", "markdownUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/docker-agent.md", "slimMarkdownUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/docker-agent.min.md", "jsonUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/docker-agent.json", "repo": "https://github.com/docker/docker-agent", "license": "Apache-2.0", "transports": [], "packages": [ { "registry": "oci", "name": "docker/docker-agent" }, { "registry": "go", "name": "github.com/docker/docker-agent" } ], "auth": "none", "authNotes": "No account of its own. Model keys come from provider environment variables, `--env-from-file`, an account login or Docker Model Runner for local models. The servers it starts take an optional Bearer token (`--auth-token`), which HTTP MCP requires on a non-loopback address.", "pricing": "free", "pricingNotes": "Free and Apache-2.0, with nothing to buy for the CLI. You pay your model provider, or nothing with a local model through Docker Model Runner. Cloud sandboxes need a Docker login and weren't priced in this check.", "priceSummary": "Free · OSS", "where": "library", "x402": { "level": "no", "evidence": "No x402, MPP or L402 in the docs or the README (checked 2026-10-08).", "endpoints": [] }, "toolCount": null, "popularity": { "githubStars": 4029, "npmWeekly": null, "pypiWeekly": null, "asOf": "2026-10-08" }, "docsUrl": "https://docker.github.io/docker-agent/", "llmsTxt": "https://docker.github.io/docker-agent/llms.txt", "capabilities": [ "agent.framework", "agent.multi-agent", "agent.mcp-client", "agent.durable" ], "tags": [ "framework", "open-source", "go", "local", "free", "no-card", "llms-txt", "docker" ], "lastRelease": "2026-10-07", "graded": true, "anchor": { "graded": true, "score": 76.5, "grade": "BB", "agentReady": true, "rank": 30, "ranked": true, "rankOf": 722, "categoryRank": 4, "methodology": "0.4", "run": "2026-10-01", "scores": { "ergonomics": 81, "maintenance": 96, "payments": 60, "reliability": 88, "schema": 90, "security": 70, "transparency": 80 }, "pending": [ "performance", "tasks" ], "assessment": { "confidence": "medium", "date": "2026-10-08" }, "negative": -4, "negativeNotes": [ "2026-09-01. GHSA-8f6v-26r8-3r4h (high). `read_skill` was treated as read-only and could be auto-approved, yet it ran shell commands embedded in local skill files, so opening a repository that ships skills could run commands without a prompt. Affects 1.32.5 up to 1.130.0. Fixed in 1.130.0 and published, inside six months, -2. https://github.com/docker/docker-agent/security/advisories/GHSA-8f6v-26r8-3r4h", "2026-08-20. GHSA-f2g7-cxrq-x54m (high). `docker agent serve a2a` created unattended sessions with tool approval disabled, so a client that could reach the endpoint could run tools without approval. The listener binds to loopback by default. Affects 1.8.2 up to 1.126.0. Fixed in 1.126.0 and published, inside six months, -2. https://github.com/docker/docker-agent/security/advisories/GHSA-f2g7-cxrq-x54m" ], "verdict": "An agent with an MCP server is eight lines of YAML, and the same file runs in a terminal, headless, or as an HTTP, MCP or A2A server. Usage telemetry is on by default and can carry prompts passed as command arguments, and two high-severity approval bypasses were fixed in August and September 2026.", "bestFor": "Teams already on Docker who want agents defined in a file, shared through an OCI registry and run the same way in a terminal, in CI or behind an HTTP, MCP or A2A server.", "strengths": [ "An agent with one MCP server is eight lines of YAML, with a published JSON Schema for the config", "Four safety modes, allow, ask and deny rules, and a `--sandbox` flag that runs the agent in a Docker Sandboxes VM", "Headless `run --exec` with NDJSON events, structured output, and budgets for cost, tokens and time", "The same config runs as an HTTP API, an OpenAI-compatible chat server, an MCP server or an A2A server", "v1.149.0 on 7 October 2026, with 45 tagged releases in 90 days and a dated changelog" ], "weaknesses": [ "Usage telemetry is on by default and command events can include prompts passed as arguments", "Two high-severity advisories in 2026, each letting tools or shell commands run without approval, both fixed", "Breaking changes ship in minor releases, three of them between July and September 2026", "`max_iterations` is unlimited and no budget is set unless the config declares one", "The `--listen` control plane has no built-in authentication, and A2A support is described as early" ], "agentNotes": [ "Set `TELEMETRY_ENABLED=false` before `run` or `exec` with a prompt on the command line. Telemetry is on by default and sends positional arguments", "For unattended runs pass `--safety restricted` with an allow-list, or `--sandbox`. Without a policy, `--exec` rejects every tool call that needs approval", "Set `max_iterations` and a `budget` block in the config. Both are unlimited by default", "Run 1.130.0 or later. Earlier versions ran shell commands embedded in local skills, and A2A sessions before 1.126.0 skipped tool approval", "Review `runtime.safety` in any config pulled from a registry or URL. An author default of `autonomous` runs every tool call unprompted" ], "metrics": { "kind": "local", "measured": false }, "reviewCount": 0, "avgRating": 0, "history": [ { "basis": "public evidence", "confidence": "medium", "grade": "BB", "methodology": "0.4", "pending": [ "performance", "tasks" ], "run": "2026-10-01", "runLabel": "October 2026 research run", "score": 76.5 } ], "editorialScores": { "ergonomics": 81, "maintenance": 96, "payments": 60, "reliability": 88, "schema": 90, "security": 70, "transparency": 75 }, "provenanceScore": 84 }, "connect": { "install": "brew install docker-agent # bundled with Docker Desktop 4.63 and later as `docker agent`", "claudeCode": "claude mcp add --transport stdio myagent --env OPENAI_API_KEY=$OPENAI_API_KEY --env ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=$ANTHROPIC_API_KEY -- docker agent serve mcp myorg/agent:tag --working-dir $(pwd)", "headless": { "command": "docker agent run --exec --safety restricted agent.yaml --json \"$TASK\"", "env": { "OPENAI_API_KEY": "\u003ckey\u003e", "TELEMETRY_ENABLED": "false" } } }, "letme": { "capability": "https://letme.dev/agent.framework", "tool": "https://letme.dev/docker-agent" }, "sameCompany": [ "docker-model-runner" ], "area": "frameworks", "provenance": { "legalEntity": "Docker, Inc.", "domain": "docker.com", "domainRegistered": "1995-01-25", "endpointOnVendorDomain": null, "terms": "https://www.docker.com/legal/docker-terms-use/", "privacy": "https://www.docker.com/legal/privacy/", "statusPage": "", "changelog": "https://github.com/docker/docker-agent/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md", "securityTxt": "valid", "checked": "2026-10-08", "notes": [ "The repository is under GitHub's docker organisation and SECURITY.md sends reports to security@docker.com. Docker's privacy policy names Docker, Inc.", "www.docker.com/.well-known/security.txt gives security@docker.com, a policy URL and an expiry of 1 January 2030.", "Main-branch docs are on docker.github.io/docker-agent and the stable docs on docs.docker.com/ai/docker-agent. Both loaded on 8 October 2026.", "Docker's general terms and privacy policy are listed. Neither the README nor the telemetry page says which terms govern the open-source CLI.", "No status page is listed because the software runs on the owner's machine. Usage telemetry goes to api.docker.com/events/v1/track per pkg/telemetry/client.go.", "RDAP for docker.com gives a registration date of 1995-01-25." ], "score": 84 }, "pageJsonUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/docker-agent.json", "live": { "slug": "docker-agent", "versions": [ { "registry": "github", "name": "docker/docker-agent", "version": "v1.149.0", "released": "2026-10-07", "seenAt": "2026-10-08T16:08:47.905263699Z" } ], "githubStars": 4162, "securityTxt": { "url": "https://docker.com/.well-known/security.txt", "state": "valid", "expires": "2030-01-01T05:00:00.000Z", "checkedAt": "2026-10-08T15:38:30.592404975Z" }, "pages": [ { "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/docker/docker-agent/main/CHANGELOG.md", "kind": "changelog", "status": 200, "checkedAt": "2026-10-08T18:24:07.71659514Z", "changedAt": "0001-01-01T00:00:00Z", "fingerprint": "1dc799acf63f" }, { "url": "https://www.docker.com/legal/privacy/", "kind": "privacy", "status": 200, "checkedAt": "2026-10-08T18:27:28.948905077Z", "changedAt": "0001-01-01T00:00:00Z", "fingerprint": "5c5df9f58922" }, { "url": "https://www.docker.com/legal/docker-terms-use/", "kind": "terms", "status": 200, "checkedAt": "2026-10-08T18:27:26.958328358Z", "changedAt": "0001-01-01T00:00:00Z", "fingerprint": "e68baa3d8d9c" } ], "updatedAt": "2026-10-08T18:27:28.948905077Z" } }, "answer": "Microsoft Agent Framework scores 82.2 (A) on agent readiness against Docker Agent's 76.5 (BB), and leads in 4 of 7 scored categories. Docker Agent leads on reliability and maintenance \u0026 community.", "b": { "slug": "microsoft-agent-framework", "name": "Microsoft Agent Framework", "vendor": "Microsoft", "vendorUrl": "https://www.microsoft.com", "kind": "framework", "category": "frameworks", "summary": "Microsoft Agent Framework is an open-source SDK for building AI agents and multi-agent workflows in Python and .NET, with a Go version in public preview. Microsoft names it the successor to AutoGen and Semantic Kernel.", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/microsoft-agent-framework", "markdownUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/microsoft-agent-framework.md", "slimMarkdownUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/microsoft-agent-framework.min.md", "jsonUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/microsoft-agent-framework.json", "repo": "https://github.com/microsoft/agent-framework", "license": "MIT", "transports": [], "packages": [ { "registry": "pypi", "name": "agent-framework" }, { "registry": "nuget", "name": "Microsoft.Agents.AI" } ], "auth": "none", "authNotes": "A library with no account of its own. Credentials are for the model provider and the tools used. The quickstarts sign in to Microsoft Foundry with an Azure credential, and the OpenAI, Anthropic and other clients take their own keys from the environment.", "pricing": "free", "pricingNotes": "Free under MIT, with model calls paid to the provider. Foundry hosted agents, the managed hosting option, is a separate Azure service at $0.0994 a vCPU-hour and $0.0118 an hour for memory in East US, per Azure's retail price API on 8 October 2026.", "priceSummary": "Free · OSS", "where": "library", "x402": { "level": "no", "evidence": "No x402, MPP or L402 found in the repository or the docs (checked 2026-10-08).", "endpoints": [] }, "toolCount": null, "popularity": { "githubStars": 14015, "npmWeekly": null, "pypiWeekly": 47507, "asOf": "2026-10-08" }, "docsUrl": "https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/agent-framework/overview/", "capabilities": [ "agent.framework", "agent.multi-agent", "agent.durable", "agent.mcp-client" ], "tags": [ "official", "framework", "python", "dotnet", "go", "open-source", "durable", "free", "no-card" ], "lastRelease": "2026-10-08", "graded": true, "anchor": { "graded": true, "score": 82.2, "grade": "A", "agentReady": true, "rank": 6, "ranked": true, "rankOf": 722, "categoryRank": 3, "methodology": "0.4", "run": "2026-10-01", "scores": { "ergonomics": 87, "maintenance": 91, "payments": 60, "reliability": 78, "schema": 95, "security": 93, "transparency": 83 }, "pending": [ "performance", "tasks" ], "assessment": { "confidence": "high", "date": "2026-10-08" }, "negative": -2, "negativeNotes": [ "2026-10-07. High-severity advisory GHSA-9f26-7mqc-9vc4 (CVSS 7.5). Microsoft.Agents.AI.Workflows.Declarative before 1.24.0 could forward values marked sensitive, including environment-scoped secrets, to an external MCP server from an InvokeMcpTool action. Fixed in 1.24.0 and published the same day, so 2 points. Two medium advisories published the same day (GHSA-q7g7-7c7x-frcq, approval not bound to transport headers, and GHSA-r2mq-wgc9-vgh3, Foundry toolbox bearer token sent to an unintended origin) weren't deducted. https://github.com/microsoft/agent-framework/security/advisories/GHSA-9f26-7mqc-9vc4" ], "verdict": "Python 1.21.0 and .NET 1.24.0 are MIT, past 1.0 and released about weekly, with an MCP client, tool approval, checkpointed graph workflows and OpenTelemetry. Breaking changes ship in minor releases, a version User-Agent and a feature-usage token are sent by default, and a high-severity advisory in the .NET declarative workflows package was published on 7 October 2026.", "bestFor": "Teams on Azure or .NET, and for teams moving off AutoGen or Semantic Kernel, that want MCP, approval, checkpointed workflows and OpenTelemetry in one SDK.", "strengths": [ "MIT, with Python 1.21.0 on PyPI (8 October 2026) and .NET 1.24.0 on NuGet (7 October 2026), both past 1.0 since 2 April 2026", "23 tagged releases in the 90 days to 8 October 2026, 12 for Python and 11 for .NET", "MCP client in the core package over stdio and streamable HTTP, with a tool allow-list, per-tool approval and optional progressive disclosure", "Graph workflows with checkpoints, in-memory and file storage in core, and five orchestration patterns (sequential, concurrent, handoff, group chat, Magentic)", "A safety page and FIDES, an information-flow control middleware for prompt injection, which is experimental and Python only" ], "weaknesses": [ "Changes marked [BREAKING] shipped in minor releases of released packages, including agent-framework-core in 1.20.0 on 2 October 2026", "A package and version User-Agent goes out on client requests by default, with a feature-usage token on Foundry and Azure OpenAI paths. Two environment variables turn them off", "Three advisories were published on 7 October 2026 against .NET packages, one high (CVSS 7.5), all with fixed versions", "Tools run without approval unless approval is set on each tool, per the safety page", "575 open issues and 201 open pull requests on 8 October 2026, and 26 of 44 Python packages are alpha or beta" ], "agentNotes": [ "Pin exact versions. Minor releases have carried [BREAKING] changes, so read python/CHANGELOG.md or the upgrade guides before moving up", "Set `approval_mode=\"always_require\"` on tools and MCP servers that write. The default is `never_require`", "Pass `allowed_tools` to `MCPStdioTool` or `MCPStreamableHTTPTool` so only the named MCP tools reach the model", "Set `AGENT_FRAMEWORK_USER_AGENT_DISABLED=true` to drop the framework's User-Agent and feature token, or `AGENT_FRAMEWORK_FEATURE_MASK_DISABLED=true` for the token alone", "On .NET, use Microsoft.Agents.AI.Workflows.Declarative 1.24.0 or later. Earlier versions could forward protected workflow values to an external MCP server" ], "metrics": { "kind": "library", "measured": false }, "reviewCount": 0, "avgRating": 0, "history": [ { "basis": "public evidence", "confidence": "high", "grade": "A", "methodology": "0.4", "pending": [ "performance", "tasks" ], "run": "2026-10-01", "runLabel": "October 2026 research run", "score": 82.2 } ], "editorialScores": { "ergonomics": 87, "maintenance": 91, "payments": 60, "reliability": 78, "schema": 95, "security": 93, "transparency": 86 }, "provenanceScore": 80 }, "connect": { "install": "pip install agent-framework # or: dotnet add package Microsoft.Agents.AI" }, "letme": { "capability": "https://letme.dev/agent.framework", "tool": "https://letme.dev/microsoft-agent-framework" }, "sameCompany": [ "azure-foundry-fine-tuning", "azure-ai-content-safety", "azure-speech-to-text", "azure-text-to-speech", "microsoft-execution-containers", "microsoft-entra-agent-id", "azure-key-vault", "azure-devops-mcp", "microsoft-learn-mcp", "playwright-mcp", "azure-mcp", "azure-maps", "azure-translator", "microsoft-graph-calendar", "microsoft-teams", "dynamics-365-sales", "power-automate", "microsoft-advertising-api", "microsoft-excel-graph", "outlook-mail-graph" ], "area": "frameworks", "unitPrices": [ { "item": "Foundry hosted agents", "unit": "vcpu-hour", "usd": 0.0994, "note": "East US, plus $0.0118 an hour for memory. A separate Azure service" } ], "provenance": { "legalEntity": "Microsoft Corporation", "domain": "microsoft.com", "domainRegistered": "1991-05-02", "endpointOnVendorDomain": null, "terms": "", "privacy": "", "statusPage": "", "changelog": "https://github.com/microsoft/agent-framework/blob/main/python/CHANGELOG.md", "securityTxt": "expired", "checked": "2026-10-08", "notes": [ "The repository is under GitHub's microsoft organisation and its licence file reads Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation.", "No terms or privacy document for the framework itself was found. The MIT licence is the only document that governs the packages, and neither the repository README nor the core package README links a privacy statement, so both fields are left out.", "www.microsoft.com/.well-known/security.txt loads and points to the MSRC researcher portal, but its Expires field is 2026-09-23T16:00:00.000Z, which had passed on 8 October 2026. learn.microsoft.com has none.", "RDAP gives microsoft.com a registration date of 1991-05-02.", "The changelog link is the Python one. No changelog file was found for .NET in the repository." ], "score": 80 }, "pageJsonUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/microsoft-agent-framework.json", "live": { "slug": "microsoft-agent-framework", "pages": [ { "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/microsoft/agent-framework/main/python/CHANGELOG.md", "kind": "changelog", "status": 200, "checkedAt": "2026-10-08T18:24:25.773080027Z", "changedAt": "0001-01-01T00:00:00Z", "fingerprint": "de3967467c68" } ], "updatedAt": "2026-10-08T18:24:25.773080027Z" } }, "facts": [ { "a": "Agent framework", "b": "Agent framework", "name": "Kind" }, { "a": "Docker", "b": "Microsoft", "name": "Vendor" }, { "a": "no (local only)", "b": "no (local only)", "name": "Hosted endpoint" }, { "a": "", "b": "", "name": "Transports" }, { "a": "None", "b": "None", "name": "Auth" }, { "a": "Free", "b": "Free", "name": "Pricing" }, { "a": "no", "b": "no", "name": "x402" }, { "a": "Apache-2.0", "b": "MIT", "name": "Licence" }, { "a": "no", "b": "no", "name": "Read-only variant documented" }, { "a": "yes", "b": "no", "name": "llms.txt" }, { "a": "2026-10-07", "b": "2026-10-08", "name": "Last release" }, { "a": "2026-08-26", "b": "no document linked", "name": "Terms last updated" }, { "a": "2026-08-26", "b": "no document linked", "name": "Privacy policy last updated" }, { "a": "not found in the text", "b": "", "name": "Customer content may train models" }, { "a": "yes", "b": "", "name": "Terms restrict automated access" }, { "a": "yes", "b": "", "name": "Terms restrict benchmarking" }, { "a": "not found in the text", "b": "", "name": "Terms or service can change without notice" }, { "a": "yes", "b": "", "name": "Arbitration or class-action waiver" }, { "a": "4k stars", "b": "14k stars, 48k PyPI/wk", "name": "Popularity" } ], "faq": [ { "answer": "Microsoft Agent Framework scores 82.2 (A) on agent readiness against Docker Agent's 76.5 (BB), and leads in 4 of 7 scored categories. Docker Agent leads on reliability and maintenance \u0026 community.", "question": "Which is better for AI agents, Docker Agent or Microsoft Agent Framework?" }, { "answer": "Yes. Docker Agent is open source (Apache-2.0). Microsoft Agent Framework is open source (MIT).", "question": "Are Docker Agent and Microsoft Agent Framework open source?" } ], "goodFor": [ { "aheadOn": [ "Reliability, 88 against 78", "Maintenance \u0026 community, 96 against 91" ], "also": null, "goodFor": "Teams already on Docker who want agents defined in a file, shared through an OCI registry and run the same way in a terminal, in CI or behind an HTTP, MCP or A2A server.", "slug": "docker-agent", "watchFor": "Usage telemetry is on by default and command events can include prompts passed as arguments" }, { "aheadOn": [ "Schema \u0026 documentation, 95 against 90", "Agent ergonomics, 87 against 81", "Security \u0026 auth, 93 against 70" ], "also": null, "goodFor": "Teams on Azure or .NET, and for teams moving off AutoGen or Semantic Kernel, that want MCP, approval, checkpointed workflows and OpenTelemetry in one SDK.", "slug": "microsoft-agent-framework", "watchFor": "Changes marked [BREAKING] shipped in minor releases of released packages, including agent-framework-core in 1.20.0 on 2 October 2026" } ], "job": { "capability": "agent.framework", "name": "Agent frameworks" }, "others": [ { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agentos-vs-docker-agent.json", "title": "AgentOS vs Docker Agent", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agentos-vs-docker-agent" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agentos-vs-microsoft-agent-framework.json", "title": "AgentOS vs Microsoft Agent Framework", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agentos-vs-microsoft-agent-framework" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agno-vs-docker-agent.json", "title": "Agno vs Docker Agent", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agno-vs-docker-agent" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agno-vs-microsoft-agent-framework.json", "title": "Agno vs Microsoft Agent Framework", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agno-vs-microsoft-agent-framework" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-agent-sdk-vs-docker-agent.json", "title": "Claude Agent SDK vs Docker Agent", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-agent-sdk-vs-docker-agent" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-agent-sdk-vs-microsoft-agent-framework.json", "title": "Claude Agent SDK vs Microsoft Agent Framework", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-agent-sdk-vs-microsoft-agent-framework" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/crewai-vs-docker-agent.json", "title": "CrewAI vs Docker Agent", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/crewai-vs-docker-agent" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/crewai-vs-microsoft-agent-framework.json", "title": "CrewAI vs Microsoft Agent Framework", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/crewai-vs-microsoft-agent-framework" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-agent-vs-google-adk.json", "title": "Docker Agent vs Agent Development Kit (ADK)", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-agent-vs-google-adk" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-agent-vs-langgraph.json", "title": "Docker Agent vs LangGraph", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-agent-vs-langgraph" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-agent-vs-openai-agents-sdk.json", "title": "Docker Agent vs OpenAI Agents SDK", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-agent-vs-openai-agents-sdk" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-agent-vs-pydantic-ai.json", "title": "Docker Agent vs Pydantic AI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-agent-vs-pydantic-ai" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-adk-vs-microsoft-agent-framework.json", "title": "Agent Development Kit (ADK) vs Microsoft Agent Framework", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-adk-vs-microsoft-agent-framework" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/langgraph-vs-microsoft-agent-framework.json", "title": "LangGraph vs Microsoft Agent Framework", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/langgraph-vs-microsoft-agent-framework" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/microsoft-agent-framework-vs-openai-agents-sdk.json", "title": "Microsoft Agent Framework vs OpenAI Agents SDK", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/microsoft-agent-framework-vs-openai-agents-sdk" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/microsoft-agent-framework-vs-pydantic-ai.json", "title": "Microsoft Agent Framework vs Pydantic AI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/microsoft-agent-framework-vs-pydantic-ai" } ], "scores": [ { "by": 10, "docker-agent": 88, "edge": "docker-agent", "key": "reliability", "microsoft-agent-framework": 78, "name": "Reliability", "weight": 16 }, { "key": "performance", "name": "Performance", "pending": true, "weight": 10 }, { "by": 5, "docker-agent": 90, "edge": "microsoft-agent-framework", "key": "schema", "microsoft-agent-framework": 95, "name": "Schema \u0026 documentation", "weight": 13 }, { "by": 6, "docker-agent": 81, "edge": "microsoft-agent-framework", "key": "ergonomics", "microsoft-agent-framework": 87, "name": "Agent ergonomics", "weight": 13 }, { "by": 23, "docker-agent": 70, "edge": "microsoft-agent-framework", "key": "security", "microsoft-agent-framework": 93, "name": "Security \u0026 auth", "weight": 14 }, { "by": 0, "docker-agent": 60, "edge": "", "key": "payments", "microsoft-agent-framework": 60, "name": "Payments \u0026 pricing", "weight": 10 }, { "key": "tasks", "name": "Task success", "pending": true, "weight": 10 }, { "by": 5, "docker-agent": 96, "edge": "docker-agent", "key": "maintenance", "microsoft-agent-framework": 91, "name": "Maintenance \u0026 community", "weight": 7 }, { "by": 3, "docker-agent": 80, "edge": "microsoft-agent-framework", "key": "transparency", "microsoft-agent-framework": 83, "name": "Transparency \u0026 trust", "weight": 7 } ], "summary": "Microsoft Agent Framework scores 82.2 (A) on agent readiness against Docker Agent's 76.5 (BB), and leads in 4 of 7 scored categories. Docker Agent leads on reliability and maintenance \u0026 community. Both do agent frameworks.", "verdicts": { "docker-agent": "An agent with an MCP server is eight lines of YAML, and the same file runs in a terminal, headless, or as an HTTP, MCP or A2A server. Usage telemetry is on by default and can carry prompts passed as command arguments, and two high-severity approval bypasses were fixed in August and September 2026.", "microsoft-agent-framework": "Python 1.21.0 and .NET 1.24.0 are MIT, past 1.0 and released about weekly, with an MCP client, tool approval, checkpointed graph workflows and OpenTelemetry. Breaking changes ship in minor releases, a version User-Agent and a feature-usage token are sent by default, and a high-severity advisory in the .NET declarative workflows package was published on 7 October 2026." } }, "kind": "anchor.page", "links": { "api": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/index.json", "html": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-agent-vs-microsoft-agent-framework", "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-agent-vs-microsoft-agent-framework.json", "llms": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/llms.txt", "markdown": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-agent-vs-microsoft-agent-framework.md", "slim": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-agent-vs-microsoft-agent-framework.min.md" }, "markdown": "Microsoft Agent Framework scores 82.2 (A) on agent readiness against Docker Agent's 76.5 (BB), and leads in 4 of 7 scored categories. Docker Agent leads on reliability and maintenance \u0026 community. Both do agent frameworks.\n\n- Docker Agent: grade BB, 76.5/100, rank #30 of 722. Markdown https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/docker-agent.md · JSON https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/docker-agent.json\n- Microsoft Agent Framework: grade A, 82.2/100, rank #6 of 722. Markdown https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/microsoft-agent-framework.md · JSON https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/microsoft-agent-framework.json\n\n## Which one, for what\n\n### Docker Agent (BB)\n\nGood for: Teams already on Docker who want agents defined in a file, shared through an OCI registry and run the same way in a terminal, in CI or behind an HTTP, MCP or A2A server.\n\nAhead on:\n- Reliability, 88 against 78\n- Maintenance \u0026 community, 96 against 91\n\nWatch for: Usage telemetry is on by default and command events can include prompts passed as arguments\n\n### Microsoft Agent Framework (A)\n\nGood for: Teams on Azure or .NET, and for teams moving off AutoGen or Semantic Kernel, that want MCP, approval, checkpointed workflows and OpenTelemetry in one SDK.\n\nAhead on:\n- Schema \u0026 documentation, 95 against 90\n- Agent ergonomics, 87 against 81\n- Security \u0026 auth, 93 against 70\n\nWatch for: Changes marked [BREAKING] shipped in minor releases of released packages, including agent-framework-core in 1.20.0 on 2 October 2026\n\n\n## Score by category\n\n| Category | Weight | Docker Agent | Microsoft Agent Framework | Edge |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Reliability | 16% (20 this run) | 88 | 78 | Docker Agent +10 |\n| Performance | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run |\n| Schema \u0026 documentation | 13% (16.2 this run) | 90 | 95 | Microsoft Agent Framework +5 |\n| Agent ergonomics | 13% (16.2 this run) | 81 | 87 | Microsoft Agent Framework +6 |\n| Security \u0026 auth | 14% (17.5 this run) | 70 | 93 | Microsoft Agent Framework +23 |\n| Payments \u0026 pricing | 10% (12.5 this run) | 60 | 60 | even |\n| Task success | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run |\n| Maintenance \u0026 community | 7% (8.8 this run) | 96 | 91 | Docker Agent +5 |\n| Transparency \u0026 trust | 7% (8.8 this run) | 80 | 83 | Microsoft Agent Framework +3 |\n| Negative events | ≤15 | -4 | -2 | |\n| **Total** | | **76.5 · BB** | **82.2 · A** | |\n\n## Facts side by side\n\n| Fact | Docker Agent | Microsoft Agent Framework |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Kind | Agent framework | Agent framework |\n| Vendor | Docker | Microsoft |\n| Hosted endpoint | no (local only) | no (local only) |\n| Transports | | |\n| Auth | None | None |\n| Pricing | Free | Free |\n| x402 | no | no |\n| Licence | Apache-2.0 | MIT |\n| Read-only variant documented | no | no |\n| llms.txt | yes | no |\n| Last release | 2026-10-07 | 2026-10-08 |\n| Terms last updated | 2026-08-26 | no document linked |\n| Privacy policy last updated | 2026-08-26 | no document linked |\n| Customer content may train models | not found in the text | |\n| Terms restrict automated access | yes | |\n| Terms restrict benchmarking | yes | |\n| Terms or service can change without notice | not found in the text | |\n| Arbitration or class-action waiver | yes | |\n| Popularity | 4k stars | 14k stars, 48k PyPI/wk |\n\n## Verdicts\n\n**Docker Agent.** An agent with an MCP server is eight lines of YAML, and the same file runs in a terminal, headless, or as an HTTP, MCP or A2A server. Usage telemetry is on by default and can carry prompts passed as command arguments, and two high-severity approval bypasses were fixed in August and September 2026.\n\n**Microsoft Agent Framework.** Python 1.21.0 and .NET 1.24.0 are MIT, past 1.0 and released about weekly, with an MCP client, tool approval, checkpointed graph workflows and OpenTelemetry. Breaking changes ship in minor releases, a version User-Agent and a feature-usage token are sent by default, and a high-severity advisory in the .NET declarative workflows package was published on 7 October 2026.\n\n## Before you call either\n\n### Docker Agent\n\n1. Set `TELEMETRY_ENABLED=false` before `run` or `exec` with a prompt on the command line. Telemetry is on by default and sends positional arguments\n2. For unattended runs pass `--safety restricted` with an allow-list, or `--sandbox`. Without a policy, `--exec` rejects every tool call that needs approval\n3. Set `max_iterations` and a `budget` block in the config. Both are unlimited by default\n4. Run 1.130.0 or later. Earlier versions ran shell commands embedded in local skills, and A2A sessions before 1.126.0 skipped tool approval\n5. Review `runtime.safety` in any config pulled from a registry or URL. An author default of `autonomous` runs every tool call unprompted\n\n### Microsoft Agent Framework\n\n1. Pin exact versions. Minor releases have carried [BREAKING] changes, so read python/CHANGELOG.md or the upgrade guides before moving up\n2. Set `approval_mode=\"always_require\"` on tools and MCP servers that write. The default is `never_require`\n3. Pass `allowed_tools` to `MCPStdioTool` or `MCPStreamableHTTPTool` so only the named MCP tools reach the model\n4. Set `AGENT_FRAMEWORK_USER_AGENT_DISABLED=true` to drop the framework's User-Agent and feature token, or `AGENT_FRAMEWORK_FEATURE_MASK_DISABLED=true` for the token alone\n5. On .NET, use Microsoft.Agents.AI.Workflows.Declarative 1.24.0 or later. Earlier versions could forward protected workflow values to an external MCP server\n\n## Questions\n\n### Which is better for AI agents, Docker Agent or Microsoft Agent Framework?\n\nMicrosoft Agent Framework scores 82.2 (A) on agent readiness against Docker Agent's 76.5 (BB), and leads in 4 of 7 scored categories. Docker Agent leads on reliability and maintenance \u0026 community.\n\n### Are Docker Agent and Microsoft Agent Framework open source?\n\nYes. Docker Agent is open source (Apache-2.0). Microsoft Agent Framework is open source (MIT).\n\n\n## For agents\n\n- This comparison as JSON: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-agent-vs-microsoft-agent-framework.json, and with the fewest tokens: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-agent-vs-microsoft-agent-framework.min.md\n- Over MCP at https://www.anchorterminal.com/mcp (no key): `compare_tools {\"a\": \"docker-agent\", \"b\": \"microsoft-agent-framework\"}`. From a terminal: `anchor compare docker-agent microsoft-agent-framework`\n- Each listing in full: https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/docker-agent.json and https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/microsoft-agent-framework.json\n\n## Other comparisons with Docker Agent or Microsoft Agent Framework\n\n- [AgentOS vs Docker Agent](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agentos-vs-docker-agent.md)\n- [AgentOS vs Microsoft Agent Framework](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agentos-vs-microsoft-agent-framework.md)\n- [Agno vs Docker Agent](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agno-vs-docker-agent.md)\n- [Agno vs Microsoft Agent Framework](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agno-vs-microsoft-agent-framework.md)\n- [Claude Agent SDK vs Docker Agent](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-agent-sdk-vs-docker-agent.md)\n- [Claude Agent SDK vs Microsoft Agent Framework](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-agent-sdk-vs-microsoft-agent-framework.md)\n- [CrewAI vs Docker Agent](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/crewai-vs-docker-agent.md)\n- [CrewAI vs Microsoft Agent Framework](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/crewai-vs-microsoft-agent-framework.md)\n- [Docker Agent vs Agent Development Kit (ADK)](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-agent-vs-google-adk.md)\n- [Docker Agent vs LangGraph](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-agent-vs-langgraph.md)\n- [Docker Agent vs OpenAI Agents SDK](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-agent-vs-openai-agents-sdk.md)\n- [Docker Agent vs Pydantic AI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-agent-vs-pydantic-ai.md)\n- [Agent Development Kit (ADK) vs Microsoft Agent Framework](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-adk-vs-microsoft-agent-framework.md)\n- [LangGraph vs Microsoft Agent Framework](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/langgraph-vs-microsoft-agent-framework.md)\n- [Microsoft Agent Framework vs OpenAI Agents SDK](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/microsoft-agent-framework-vs-openai-agents-sdk.md)\n- [Microsoft Agent Framework vs Pydantic AI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/microsoft-agent-framework-vs-pydantic-ai.md)\n", "meta": { "attribution": "Anchor Terminal (https://www.anchorterminal.com)", "docs": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/docs/", "generatedAt": "2026-10-08", "license": "CC-BY-4.0", "method": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/benchmark/", "methodology": "0.4", "openapi": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/openapi.json", "preview": false, "run": "2026-10-01", "runLabel": "October 2026 research run" }, "page": { "breadcrumbs": [ { "name": "Home", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/" }, { "name": "Compare", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/" }, { "name": "Docker Agent vs Microsoft Agent Framework", "url": "" } ], "description": "Microsoft Agent Framework scores 82.2 (A) on agent readiness against Docker Agent's 76.5 (BB), and leads in 4 of 7 scored categories. Docker Agent leads on reliability and maintenance \u0026 community. Both do agent frameworks. Category scores, facts, verdicts and agent notes side by…", "facts": [ "Docker Agent BB 76.5", "Microsoft Agent Framework A 82.2", "scores" ], "h1": "Docker Agent vs Microsoft Agent Framework", "image": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/assets/og/compare-docker-agent-vs-microsoft-agent-framework.png", "path": "/compare/docker-agent-vs-microsoft-agent-framework", "published": "2026-10-01", "section": "tools", "title": "Docker Agent vs Microsoft Agent Framework for AI agents", "toc": null, "updated": "2026-10-08", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docker-agent-vs-microsoft-agent-framework" }, "tokens": { "markdown": 2300, "slim": 630 }, "version": 1 }