SDK Wars: compare two SDKs head to head
Pick two SDKs, generators or API client approaches, tick the criteria that matter, and see who takes each one and why, with a source to check. Free, no sign-up, and the result is a link you can share.
Verdict
OpenAPI Generator wins, 10 to 8, narrowly, over Hand-written SDK.
Hand-written SDK 8/18 OpenAPI Generator 10/18
Hand-written SDK takes auth handling and pagination. OpenAPI Generator takes language support and maintenance. Even on typing and retries.
| Criterion | Hand-written SDK | OpenAPI Generator |
|---|---|---|
| Language supportEdge: OpenAPI Generator | Partial Each language is a separate codebase someone has to write and staff, so coverage is usually limited to the few languages the team knows best. | Strong It ships client generators for dozens of languages and frameworks. Quality and completeness vary by generator, so check the one you need. Check: OpenAPI Generator: generators list |
| TypingEven | Solid Types can be as idiomatic as the authors make them, but they are written by hand and can drift from the API as it changes. | Solid Typed models come from the schemas in your description. How well unions (oneOf), enums and nullables come through depends on the language's generator. Check: OpenAPI Generator: generators list |
| Auth handlingEdge: Hand-written SDK | Strong Full control: any flow, including OAuth token refresh and custom signing, can be built exactly as the API needs it. | Solid Security schemes in the description (API key, basic, bearer, OAuth) become configuration on the client. Token refresh is usually yours to build. Check: OpenAPI Generator: generators list |
| RetriesEven | Partial Retries exist only if someone built them, language by language. Check each SDK's source; behaviour often differs between languages. | Partial Retry behaviour mostly comes from the HTTP library the generated client uses; you configure it, and it differs by generator. Check: OpenAPI Generator: generators list |
| PaginationEdge: Hand-written SDK | Partial Paging helpers are possible and often nice, but each one is written by hand for each language and each list endpoint. | Weak OpenAPI has no standard pagination keyword, so generated clients return one page per call and callers write the loop. |
| MaintenanceEdge: OpenAPI Generator | Weak Every new endpoint, field and deprecation is hand work in every language, and the SDKs drift from the API when that work slips. | Solid Regenerate from the description when the API changes. Custom templates and patches have to be carried forward across generator upgrades. |
How it works
A verdict you can argue with, because every part of it is on the page.
Pick two sides
Named generators, approaches like hand-written or raw HTTP, an MCP server, or your own SDK that you rate yourself.
Choose the criteria
Language support, typing, auth, retries, pagination, errors, maintenance and MCP readiness. Mark the ones that decide it for you as ×2.
Read the verdict, then check it
Each call shows its reason and links to the source. What can't be verified isn't scored. See how we judge.
Worked examples
The matchups teams run most, each with the full reasoning and when each side is the better pick.
Hand-written SDK vs OpenAPI Generator
OpenAPI Generator wins, 10 to 8, narrowly, over Hand-written SDK.
See the matchup →OpenAPI Generator vs Microsoft Kiota
Microsoft Kiota wins, 17 to 13, narrowly, over OpenAPI Generator.
See the matchup →No SDK (raw HTTP) vs hand-written SDK
Hand-written SDK wins, 9 to 2, over No SDK (raw HTTP).
See the matchup →Hand-written SDK vs MCP server
Too close to call: Hand-written SDK 10, MCP server over your API 9.
See the matchup →Speakeasy vs OpenAPI Generator
Speakeasy wins, 15 to 10, over OpenAPI Generator.
See the matchup →Questions people ask
What is SDK Wars?
SDK Wars is a free tool for comparing two SDKs, SDK generators or API client approaches head to head. You pick the two sides and the criteria that matter to you, and it shows who takes each criterion, why, and where to check it, then gives an overall verdict you can share.
What are people looking for when they search "sdkwars"?
Usually a straight answer to "which SDK approach should we use?": hand-written or generated, which generator, or whether an MCP server should sit next to the SDK. Most results for that question are opinion posts or vendor pages. SDK Wars is a working comparison where you set the criteria and every call comes with its reason.
Is it free? Do I need an account?
It is free and there is no sign-up. The tool runs in your browser, and the whole matchup (both sides, your criteria, your weights and any ratings you entered) lives in the share link.
How is the verdict calculated?
Each side gets a level on each criterion you pick: Strong (3 points), Solid (2), Partial (1) or Weak (0). Criteria you mark ×2 count double. A criterion where either side is Not verified is left out of the score and listed, so a gap in what is known never decides the result. If the two totals are within 8% of the maximum, the verdict is Too close to call.
Where do the ratings come from?
For named tools, each rating is read from the tool's own documentation and links to it, so you can check it. For approaches such as a hand-written SDK or raw HTTP, the rating follows from how the approach works and the reason is written next to it. The Criteria page explains what each level means and how to check it yourself.
Can I compare an SDK that isn't in the list?
Yes. Choose "Your own SDK" on either side, give it a name and rate it on each criterion using the checks on the Criteria page. You can put two of your own SDKs against each other, or your own against one of the listed options.