Choose Karaka when
- Your product already has a Node backend and you want DSH.
- Product actions and authorization should stay in that backend.
- You want to replace runtime parts through plugins and operate the process yourself.
Karaka or LangGraph + LangSmith?
Use Karaka to connect a Node backend to a self-hosted DSH agent. Use LangGraph + LangSmith when you want its orchestration, managed persistence, deployment, tracing, and evaluations.
Choose LangGraph + LangSmith when
- You need graph-native orchestration or human review.
- You want managed assistants, threads, runs, and persistence.
- Hosted deployment, tracing, and evaluations matter more than runtime replaceability.
What differs
| Area | Karaka | LangGraph + LangSmith |
|---|---|---|
| Runtime | A plugin-composed DSH process beside your Node backend. | Your agent or graph behind the Agent Server API. |
| Product access | Expose selected Node functions as authenticated MCP tools. | Use LangChain tools, remote MCP, and custom authentication. |
| State | Choose the session store; keep product data in your backend. | Core assistants, threads, and runs use Postgres. Checkpoints and memory stores can be replaced. |
| Operations | You run TLS, scaling, backups, monitoring, and upgrades. | LangSmith Cloud runs them; enterprise can self-host or use hybrid. |
| Cost | Open source; you pay for your infrastructure. | $39 per seat for Plus; additional compute, storage, and traces are metered. |
Neither?
If one model call or a short tool loop solves the job, keep it inside your backend.
Sources
Karaka application runtimeLangGraph overviewLangGraph API choicesLangSmith Agent ServerLangSmith observabilityLangSmith pricing
Reviewed September 5, 2026. Karaka is alpha software.