Key takeaways
- Market-leading TypeScript toolkit with 20M+ monthly downloads and 21k+ GitHub stars
- AI SDK 6 introduced first-class agent abstraction with tool approval and full MCP support
- Unified API works with any provider via Vercel AI Gateway, avoiding vendor lock-in
FAQ
Is Vercel AI SDK free?
Yes, the AI SDK is fully open-source (Apache 2.0). Model costs are paid to providers via AI Gateway (list price, no markup).
Does it work outside Vercel?
Yes. Works with any Node.js environment, though AI Gateway integration is optimized for Vercel deployments.
Overview
The Vercel AI SDK is the leading TypeScript toolkit for building AI-powered applications and agents. With over 20 million monthly downloads and adoption by Fortune 500 companies, it provides a unified API for integrating with any AI provider.[1]
AI SDK 6 introduced first-class agent support, MCP integration, and tool execution approval — making it a complete framework for agentic applications, not just chatbots.[2]
| Quick Reference | |
|---|---|
| Website | ai-sdk.dev |
| GitHub | vercel/ai |
| License | Apache 2.0 |
| Founded | 2023 |
Key Features
Agent Abstraction (SDK 6)
Define reusable agents with models, instructions, and tools. The ToolLoopAgent handles the complete tool execution loop — calling LLMs, executing tools, and iterating until complete.[2]
Tool Execution Approval
Gate any action that needs human review. Essential for production agents that interact with external systems.
Full MCP Support
Native Model Context Protocol integration for connecting agents to tools and data sources.
Unified API
Single interface across OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and 40+ providers via AI Gateway. Switch models with minimal code changes.
Framework Agnostic
Works with React, Next.js, Vue, Svelte, and Node.js. Streaming and structured outputs work everywhere.
Adoption
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Monthly Downloads | 20M+ |
| GitHub Stars | 21.7k |
| Fortune 500 Users | Yes (Thomson Reuters, Clay) |
| Framework Support | React, Next.js, Vue, Svelte, Node.js |
Thomson Reuters built CoCounsel (AI for attorneys) with 3 developers in 2 months using the AI SDK. Now serving 1,300 accounting firms.[2]
Clay uses it for Claygent, their AI web research agent handling sales data enrichment at scale.
Pricing
| Component | Cost |
|---|---|
| AI SDK | Free (open-source) |
| Model tokens | Provider list price via AI Gateway |
| AI Gateway | $5/month free credit, then usage-based |
No markup on tokens — you pay exactly what providers charge.
Strengths
- Market leader — Most downloaded TypeScript AI toolkit
- Complete agent framework — Not just LLM wrappers, full agentic support
- Provider flexibility — Unified API avoids vendor lock-in
- Type safety — End-to-end TypeScript types from agent to UI
- Active development — Major releases, Vercel-backed
Cautions
- TypeScript only — No Python SDK (unlike LangChain)
- AI Gateway coupling — Best experience with Vercel's gateway
- Vercel-optimized — Works elsewhere but optimized for Vercel
Competitive Position
| vs Framework | AI SDK Advantage | Competitor Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| LangChain | TypeScript-native, cleaner API | Broader integrations (1000+), Python |
| Mastra | More mature, larger community | Better memory (Observational Memory) |
| CrewAI | Framework agnostic, broader use | Multi-agent focus, Python |
Best fit: TypeScript teams building AI applications on Vercel or Node.js who want a production-ready, well-maintained framework.
Bottom Line
Vercel AI SDK is the TypeScript standard for AI applications. AI SDK 6 elevated it from a streaming toolkit to a complete agent framework with tool approval, MCP support, and type-safe UI integration.
For TypeScript teams, it's the default choice. The main gap is Python support — teams with Python-heavy stacks should consider LangChain or CrewAI instead.
Research by Ry Walker Research