OpenAI Assistants API vs LangChain
Assistants API for managed state without infrastructure; LangChain for full control.
OpenAI Assistants API
OpenAI's hosted agent runtime. Threads, tools, file search, code interpreter — managed for you.
Use this when
Fastest path to managed agent with file search and code interpreter.
Full profile →LangChain
The framework that defined agent chaining before 'agent' was a product category.
Use this when
Custom architecture, non-OpenAI models, fine-grained control.
Full profile →Cost comparison
Assistants adds storage; LangChain free + LangSmith addon.