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Ballast vs LangGraph
LangGraph is a powerful code framework for agent graphs, and LangSmith adds observability and evaluations as a separate, seat-priced product. Ballast gives you build, run, govern, and evaluate in a single platform.
At a glance
The three biggest differences
One platform, not three
LangGraph + LangSmith + your own ops layer becomes a single product: build, run, govern, and evaluate together.
A visual builder
A graph teammates can read and edit — instead of composing agent graphs purely in code.
Governance & cost included
Approval UI, per-step USD cost, evals, and audit/RBAC come in the box — not a separate, seat-priced product.
Feature by feature
Ballast vs LangGraph, in detail
With LangGraph you assemble the pieces: a framework for the graph (with checkpointers andinterrupt()for human-in-the-loop), LangSmith for tracing and evals, and your own surface for approvals, cost, and access control. Ballast is one product where the visual builder, hosted durable execution, human gates, per-step cost, evaluations, and audit/RBAC all live together.
| Capability | Ballast | LangGraph + LangSmith |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | ||
| Delivery model | One platform (cloud + self-host) | Framework + LangSmith |
| One integrated productNo stitching framework + observability + ops | ||
| Build | ||
| Visual workflow builderA graph non-engineers can read | ||
| Languages | Python + TypeScript | Python + JS |
| Run | ||
| Durable, checkpointed execution | ||
| Human-in-the-loop | Built-in approval UI | interrupt() primitive |
| Govern & measure | ||
| Built-in evaluations | Via LangSmith | |
| Per-step cost in USD | Tokens via LangSmith | |
| Audit log + RBAC | Built-in | Enterprise (LangSmith) |
| Self-host | Library OSS; LangSmith self-host = Enterprise |
Fair play
When LangGraph is the better choice
Choose LangGraph & LangSmithif you want a code-first agent framework with the largest ecosystem and community, you're comfortable composing the framework with LangSmith for observability and evals, and your team lives in code rather than a canvas. Ballast's bet is that most teams would rather have one governed platform than assemble and operate three layers themselves.
One platform, not three.
Build, run, govern, and evaluate in the same place — start in minutes, no API keys.