What is Google ADK (Agent Development Kit)? Explain its key features, architecture, and how it differs from LangChain, CrewAI, and AutoGen.
#google-adk#agents#framework#gemini#open-source
Answer
What is Google ADK?
Google Agent Development Kit (ADK) is an open-source, code-first framework for building, evaluating, and deploying sophisticated AI agents with flexibility and control. Released under the Apache 2.0 License, it is designed to empower developers to quickly build, manage, evaluate, and deploy AI-powered agents.
Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Source | Apache 2.0 License - free for personal, commercial, and enterprise use |
| Code-First | Define agent logic, tools, and orchestration directly in code |
| Model-Agnostic | Optimized for Gemini, but supports OpenAI, Anthropic, Ollama, vLLM, and 100+ LLMs via LiteLLM |
| Deployment-Agnostic | Deploy anywhere - local, Cloud Run, GKE, Vertex AI Agent Engine |
| Multi-Language | Official SDKs in Python, TypeScript/JavaScript, Go, and Java |
| Framework-Compatible | Interoperable with LangChain, CrewAI, LlamaIndex via A2A protocol |
| Multi-Agent | Built-in support for multi-agent hierarchies, delegation, and orchestration |
| Built-in Evaluation | 7 evaluation metrics, test files, eval sets |
| Streaming | Gemini Live API for real-time bidirectional voice/video |
ADK Architecture Overview
Multi-Language SDKs
| Language | Repository | Package |
|---|---|---|
| Python | github.com/google/adk-python | text |
| Java | github.com/google/adk-java | Maven/Gradle |
| Go | github.com/google/adk-go | text |
| TypeScript | github.com/google/adk-web | npm |
Google ADK vs LangChain vs CrewAI vs AutoGen
| Feature | Google ADK | LangChain | CrewAI | AutoGen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model Support | Gemini + 100+ via LiteLLM | 50+ via integrations | OpenAI-focused | OpenAI + Azure |
| Multi-Agent | Native (Sequential, Parallel, Loop) | Via LangGraph | Native (Crew, Tasks) | Native (GroupChat) |
| Tools | 60+ integrations + MCP + OpenAPI | 100+ integrations | LangChain tools | Custom functions |
| Deployment | Vertex AI, Cloud Run, GKE | Self-managed | Self-managed | Self-managed |
| Evaluation | Built-in (7 metrics) | Via LangSmith | Limited | Limited |
| Open Source | Apache 2.0 | MIT | MIT | MIT |
| No-Code Option | Agent Config (YAML) | No | No | No |
| Streaming | Gemini Live API (voice/video) | LLM streaming | No | No |
| A2A Protocol | Native support | No | No | No |
| Languages | Python, Java, Go, TypeScript | Python, JS | Python | Python, .NET |
Quick Start
pythonfrom google.adk.agents import Agent def get_weather(city: str) -> dict: """Get weather for a city.""" return {"city": city, "temperature": 72, "condition": "sunny"} agent = Agent( name="weather_agent", model="gemini-2.5-flash", instruction="Help users check the weather.", tools=[get_weather], )
bash# Install pip install google-adk # Run adk run my_agent
Learn more at Google ADK Docs and GitHub.