TF 2.21 LiteRT · Keras 3 · TF Serving

TensorFlow development, maintenance and migration

We keep production TensorFlow models running securely, ship them to phones with LiteRT, and help you move to Keras 3 or PyTorch when the time is right, with no surprises.

TensorFlow in 2026

An honest picture of where TensorFlow stands

From Google's TensorFlow 2.21 announcement (March 2026): core TensorFlow is maintained, while LiteRT and Keras 3 are where new development happens.

MaintainedCore TensorFlow

Security and critical bug fixes; minor releases for new Python and dependencies.

MaintainedTF Serving · TFX · TF.data

Maintained for existing production pipelines.

MaintainedTensorBoard · TF Text · TF Recommenders

Maintained; no major new features expected.

Active developmentLiteRT (formerly TF Lite)

Actively developed: faster GPU, new NPU acceleration, PyTorch and JAX conversion.

Active developmentKeras 3

Actively developed; runs on TensorFlow, JAX or PyTorch.

RecommendationNew generative AI work

Google recommends Keras 3, JAX or PyTorch.

Decision helper

Keep, upgrade or migrate?

Answer two or three questions to see what we would usually recommend for your model.

LiteRT on device

Smaller models, faster phones

Quantisation stores weights in fewer bits, so a model shrinks dramatically. LiteRT then runs it on the phone's GPU or NPU: Google reports about 1.4x faster GPU performance than TFLite.

TFLite GPU
1.0×
LiteRT GPU
1.4×
FP32Original
FP16Half size
INT8Quarter size
INT4One-eighth size

Model size by number format (relative to FP32)

Keras 3

Same model code, three engines

Keras 3 runs on TensorFlow, JAX or PyTorch. Switch the backend and the same model trains on a different engine: a gentle path off TensorFlow-only code.

Running onTensorFlow
Production pipelines

TFX: from raw data to a served model

Many companies run TensorFlow Extended (TFX) pipelines that retrain and redeploy models automatically. We maintain, monitor and modernise them.

  1. ExampleGenIngest data
  2. ValidateCheck data quality
  3. TransformFeature engineering
  4. TrainerTrain the model
  5. EvaluatorCompare with the last model
  6. ServingTF Serving or LiteRT
Migration plan

Five steps, no big-bang rewrite

We handle each model on its own merits, so production never breaks.

  1. 1

    Audit

    List models, TensorFlow and Python versions, custom ops and where each model runs.

  2. 2

    Secure

    Upgrade to TensorFlow 2.21, pin dependencies and add accuracy monitoring.

  3. 3

    Decide

    Per model: keep, move to Keras 3, port to PyTorch, or convert to LiteRT.

  4. 4

    Migrate

    Rebuild one model at a time and compare accuracy and latency against the original.

  5. 5

    Run

    Retraining pipelines, monitoring and MLOps for the long term.

TensorFlow or another option?

Choosing your ML framework

We are framework-neutral and recommend what fits each model.

OptionStrengthsWhen we choose it
TensorFlowMature production tooling: TF Serving, TFX, LiteRTExisting TF systems, on-device deployment
PyTorchDefault for new research and LLMs, huge model ecosystemMost new deep learning projects
Keras 3One high-level API on TensorFlow, JAX or PyTorchTeams wanting backend freedom
Hosted model APIsNo training neededWhen a general model is good enough
DatabricksData and ML platform at scaleLarge data teams
FAQ

TensorFlow questions

Straight answers to what clients ask us most.

Is TensorFlow still supported in 2026?

Yes. TensorFlow 2.21 was released in March 2026, and Google continues to ship security fixes, critical bug fixes and minor releases for new Python versions. Active feature development has shifted to LiteRT and Keras 3, and Google recommends Keras 3, JAX or PyTorch for new generative AI work.

Should we rewrite our TensorFlow models?

Not necessarily. Models that work well in production can stay on TensorFlow with proper maintenance. We recommend migration when you need major new features, large generative models, or are starting a new project.

What is LiteRT?

LiteRT is the new name for TensorFlow Lite, Google's runtime for running models on phones and edge devices. With TensorFlow 2.21 it gained faster GPU performance (about 1.4x versus TFLite), new NPU acceleration, and first-class conversion from PyTorch and JAX.

What is Keras 3?

Keras 3 is a high-level deep learning API that can run on TensorFlow, JAX or PyTorch. Code written in Keras can switch backend with a configuration change, which makes it a smooth bridge away from TensorFlow-only code.

Can you migrate TensorFlow 1.x code?

Yes. TF 1.x code with sessions and graphs usually needs a rewrite; we rebuild it in Keras 3 or PyTorch and verify that accuracy matches before switching over.

How do you shrink models for mobile?

Through quantisation (for example FP32 to INT8 or INT4), pruning and distillation, then conversion to LiteRT. Model size can drop to a quarter or less, usually with small accuracy loss that we measure.

Do you maintain TF Serving and TFX pipelines?

Yes. We keep existing pipelines running, patched and monitored, and modernise them gradually where it makes sense.

How much does this cost?

It depends on the number of models and their complexity. We start with a short audit and give a fixed price per milestone.

Get In Touch

Ready to talk about your ML models?

Tell us what you want to build, your data and integrations, and your timeline. We reply within 4 business hours with honest advice.

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