Semantic Kernel Agent

v1.x

Microsoft

Agentmicrosoftazureopen-source
89
Strong
About This Agent

Microsoft's enterprise-grade SDK for integrating LLMs with conventional programming languages. Provides agent capabilities through plugins, planners, and memory systems with first-class support for .NET, Python, and Java.

Last Evaluated: November 9, 2025
Official Website

Trust Vector Analysis

Dimension Breakdown

🚀Performance & Reliability
+
task completion accuracy

Based on enterprise testing and model performance

Evidence
Semantic Kernel Documentation — Enterprise-grade reliability with extensive testing
highVerified: 2025-11-09
tool use reliability

Tool integration testing

Evidence
Plugins System — Robust plugin system with native and semantic functions
highVerified: 2025-11-09
multi step planning

Complex task testing

Evidence
Planner System — Multiple planner types for sequential and action planning
highVerified: 2025-11-09
memory persistence

Memory system evaluation

Evidence
Memory Stores — Multiple memory store backends (Azure, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Chroma)
highVerified: 2025-11-09
error recovery

Error handling testing

Evidence
Error Handling — Enterprise-grade error handling and retry policies
highVerified: 2025-11-09
latency

Performance monitoring

Evidence
Performance Optimization — Optimized for production with async operations
highVerified: 2025-11-09
🛡️Security
+
tool sandboxing

Security architecture review

Evidence
Plugin Security — Plugin execution controls and security boundaries
highVerified: 2025-11-09
access control

Access control assessment

Evidence
Enterprise Integration — Integration with Azure AD and enterprise IAM systems
highVerified: 2025-11-09
prompt injection defense

Injection attack testing

Evidence
Prompt Engineering — Template system provides separation of instructions and data
mediumVerified: 2025-11-09
data isolation

Data architecture review

Evidence
Memory Isolation — Strong isolation via memory collections and namespaces
highVerified: 2025-11-09
enterprise security

Enterprise security assessment

Evidence
Azure Integration — First-class Azure security integration and compliance
highVerified: 2025-11-09
🔒Privacy & Compliance
+
data retention

Privacy architecture review

Evidence
Azure Compliance — Full control over data retention, Azure compliance options
highVerified: 2025-11-09
gdpr compliance

Compliance documentation review

Evidence
Microsoft Compliance — GDPR compliant when used with Azure OpenAI
highVerified: 2025-11-09
third party data sharing

Data flow analysis

Evidence
Azure OpenAI — Azure OpenAI provides data residency and no training on customer data
highVerified: 2025-11-09
local deployment option

Deployment options assessment

Evidence
Multi-Model Support — Supports local models via Ollama and ONNX runtime
highVerified: 2025-11-09
👁️Trust & Transparency
+
documentation quality

Documentation completeness review

Evidence
Microsoft Learn — Exceptional Microsoft Learn documentation with tutorials and samples
highVerified: 2025-11-09
execution traceability

Logging capabilities assessment

Evidence
Diagnostics — Built-in logging, telemetry, and Azure Monitor integration
highVerified: 2025-11-09
decision explainability

Explainability features assessment

Evidence
Planner Observability — Planner execution steps visible for debugging
mediumVerified: 2025-11-09
open source code

Open source assessment

Evidence
GitHub Repository — MIT licensed, 20k+ stars, Microsoft official project
highVerified: 2025-11-09
enterprise support

Support options assessment

Evidence
Microsoft Support — Official Microsoft support available for enterprise customers
highVerified: 2025-11-09
⚙️Operational Excellence
+
ease of integration

Integration complexity assessment

Evidence
Multi-Language SDKs — First-class support for .NET, Python, and Java
highVerified: 2025-11-09
scalability

Scalability testing

Evidence
Azure Integration — Designed for enterprise scale with Azure services
highVerified: 2025-11-09
cost predictability

Pricing model analysis

Evidence
Open Source + Azure — Free SDK, predictable Azure OpenAI pricing
highVerified: 2025-11-09
monitoring capabilities

Monitoring features assessment

Evidence
Azure Monitor Integration — Excellent monitoring via Azure Monitor and Application Insights
highVerified: 2025-11-09
production readiness

Production readiness assessment

Evidence
Enterprise Adoption — Production-ready with major enterprise deployments
highVerified: 2025-11-09
Strengths
  • +Enterprise-grade security and compliance features
  • +Excellent multi-language support (.NET, Python, Java)
  • +First-class Azure integration with managed services
  • +Outstanding documentation and Microsoft support
  • +Robust plugin and memory systems
  • +Production-ready with strong monitoring capabilities
Limitations
  • !More complex than simpler agent frameworks
  • !Best performance requires Azure services (cost consideration)
  • !Less opinionated design requires more architectural decisions
  • !Smaller community compared to some other frameworks
  • !Some features still evolving (agents capability)
  • !Learning curve for developers new to semantic programming
Metadata
license: MIT
supported models
0: Azure OpenAI
1: OpenAI
2: Anthropic
3: Hugging Face
4: Local models
programming languages
0: .NET (C#, F#)
1: Python
2: Java
deployment type: Self-hosted or Azure
tool support
0: Plugins
1: Native functions
2: Semantic functions
github stars: 25800+
first release: 2023
ga version: 1.45 (.NET) and 1.27 (Python) - April 2025
transition: Microsoft Agent Framework is the successor (Semantic Kernel v2.0)

Use Case Ratings

customer support

Enterprise-grade reliability ideal for customer support

code generation

Strong plugin system works well for code generation tasks

research assistant

Memory and planning capabilities good for research tasks

data analysis

Good for data analysis with custom plugins

content creation

Semantic functions useful for content generation workflows

education

Memory system excellent for personalized tutoring

healthcare

Outstanding for healthcare with Azure compliance and security

financial analysis

Excellent for finance with enterprise security and compliance

legal compliance

Strong security and memory features good for legal work

creative writing

Works well but not specifically optimized for creative tasks