Comparison
LangChain vs LlamaIndex
Compare LangChain and LlamaIndex for RAG, agents, tools, data connectors, and production LLM application development.
Quick verdict
Use LangChain for broad app orchestration and integrations. Use LlamaIndex when data ingestion and retrieval are central.
Choose which
Choose LangChain for tool orchestration, agents, and integration breadth.
Choose LlamaIndex for RAG-heavy apps and data connectors.
Feature table
Recommendation
Pick the framework that matches the hardest part of your app. If retrieval is the product, start with LlamaIndex. If orchestration is the product, start with LangChain.
Setup difficulty
Both are intermediate.
Best use cases
- RAG apps
- Agents
- Tool use
- Data-connected AI applications
Limitations
- Frameworks do not replace good evals, simple architecture, or source grounding
Related links
FAQ
Can I use both?
Yes, but avoid unnecessary complexity. Start with one unless there is a clear reason to combine them.
Sources
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