Module 18 Lesson 2: AgentCore vs Basic Agents
Choosing the Right Tool. Comparing the strengths of autonomous Bedrock Agents and controlled AgentCore workflows.
The Architect's Choice: Agent or AgentCore?
Choosing the wrong framework can make your project 10x harder. You must decide whether your problem needs Full Autonomy or Tight Control.
1. Comparing the Frameworks
| Feature | Bedrock Agents (Basic) | AgentCore |
|---|---|---|
| Orchestration | Fully Autonomous (LLM decides) | Hybrid (Human-defined + AI reasoning) |
| Logic Type | Non-deterministic | Deterministic & Stateful |
| Setup Speed | Very Fast (Console-driven) | Medium (Code/Schema driven) |
| Best For | Simple tasks, Research, General Chat | Legal, Financial, Multi-day workflows |
| State | Session-based (Temporary) | Persistent (Can last days/weeks) |
2. Decision Logic
- Use Basic Agents if: The task is "Find X and tell me Y." The steps don't matter as long as the answer is right.
- Use AgentCore if: The task is "Validate X, then only if X is true, proceed to Y. Log the result and wait 2 hours for a webhook."
3. Visualizing the Complexity Curve
graph LR
Chat[Basic Chat] --> B[Bedrock Agents]
B --> AC[AgentCore]
AC --> Custom[Full Custom LangGraph/Python]
Note[Left: High Speed / Right: High Control]
💡 Guidance for Learners
Start with Basic Agents. If you find yourself fighting the AI because it keeps skipping steps or doing things in the wrong order, that is your signal to move to AgentCore.
Summary
- Basic Agents = Maximum Speed and Autonomy.
- AgentCore = Maximum Control and Persistence.
- Deterministic steps are a key differentiator for AgentCore.
- Choose based on the Risk level and Complexity of the task.