AI agents · AWS vs Google Cloud
Strands Agents SDK vs Agent Development Kit (ADK)
Strands Agents maps to Google's open-source Agent Development Kit (ADK), available for Python, TypeScript, Go, and Java.
Side-by-side comparison
| Aspect | Amazon Web Services | Google Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Service | Strands Agents SDK | Agent Development Kit (ADK) |
| Lifecycle | Generally available | Generally available |
| What it is | AWS open-source, model-driven SDK for building agents in code. Deployable on AgentCore Runtime or anywhere. | Open-source framework (Python, TypeScript, Go, Java) for building single and multi-agent systems with workflow agents, tools, and evaluation. Runs anywhere; deploys to Agent Runtime, Cloud Run, or GKE. |
| Pricing model | Open-source, no charge. | ADK is open source and free; you pay for models and hosting. |
| Docs | Strands Agents SDK docs | Agent Development Kit (ADK) docs |
| Pricing page | — | — |
Key differences
- ADK supports workflow agents (sequential, parallel, loop) as well as LLM-driven routing between agents.
- ADK agents deploy to Agent Runtime, Cloud Run, or GKE, and can use non-Google models.
Pricing summary
Pricing models only. No prices are quoted because they change by region and over time.
- AWS
- Open-source, no charge.
- GCP
- ADK is open source and free; you pay for models and hosting.
And on Azure?
Direct match Azure's equivalent is Microsoft Agent Framework. AWS vs Azure comparison →
FAQ
What is the Google Cloud equivalent of Strands Agents SDK?
Strands Agents maps to Google's open-source Agent Development Kit (ADK), available for Python, TypeScript, Go, and Java.
How does pricing compare between Strands Agents SDK and Agent Development Kit (ADK)?
AWS: Open-source, no charge. Google Cloud: ADK is open source and free; you pay for models and hosting. Check the official pricing pages for current rates.
What is the Azure equivalent?
Microsoft Agent Framework (direct match). The Azure counterpart of the Strands Agents SDK is Microsoft Agent Framework.