Best 6 Open Source and Managed API Gateway Solutions of 2023

varun sharma
API Leadership
Published in
4 min readJun 13, 2023

In this article, I will explore and compare some of the most popular API gateway solutions. Each of these tools offers unique features and capabilities, making them suitable for various use cases. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each solution, you can make an informed decision when selecting an API gateway that aligns with your organisation’s requirements.

Popular API Gateway Solutions

Read on to discover popular gateway solutions trusted by developers and organisations alike:

Kong:

Kong is an open-source API gateway and management platform that acts as a middleware layer between clients and backend services. It offers features like authentication, rate limiting, load balancing, and request/response transformations. Kong supports both REST and GraphQL APIs and provides a plugin system for extending its functionality. It is highly customizable and widely adopted due to its robustness and community support.

AWS API Gateway:

AWS API Gateway is a fully managed service provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that allows you to create, deploy, and manage APIs at scale. It offers features like authentication, authorization, caching, and monitoring. API Gateway integrates seamlessly with other AWS services and supports REST, WebSocket, and HTTP APIs. It also provides a serverless option called API Gateway with Lambda integration, where you can directly connect your API to AWS Lambda functions.

‘’With AWS Cloud Services, move to the next level of Cloud Computing ’’

WSO2 API Manager:

WSO2 API Manager is an open-source platform designed to simplify the process of creating, publishing, and managing APIs. It includes features such as API security, throttling, analytics, and a developer portal. WSO2 API Manager supports multiple API standards like REST, SOAP, and GraphQL. It provides a range of deployment options, including on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. WSO2 is known for its strong integration capabilities and extensive support for enterprise-grade features.

MuleSoft:

MuleSoft, a Salesforce company, is a leading integration and API management platform that enables organizations to achieve seamless application connectivity and integration. With its Anypoint Platform, MuleSoft provides a comprehensive suite of tools designed to simplify the process of connecting disparate applications, systems, and data sources. The platform features Mule, a high-performance integration engine, and an API manager for secure and centralized API management.

Dell Boomi:

Dell Boomi is a leading integration platform that empowers organizations to achieve seamless application connectivity and data integration. With its comprehensive suite of tools and cloud-native architecture, Dell Boomi simplifies the process of connecting applications, systems, and data sources. The platform provides a visual interface and a wide range of pre-built connectors.

‘’Discover Salesforce solutions that ensure the efficient and cost-effective operation of your systems.’’

IBM:

IBM API Gateway is a powerful solution designed to streamline the management, security, and delivery of APIs within an organization. Built on the IBM DataPower Gateway technology, the IBM API Gateway provides a comprehensive set of features and capabilities.

With IBM API Gateway, organizations can effectively manage their APIs throughout the entire lifecycle, from creation and documentation to testing and deployment.

API Gateway Solutions: Pricing

Kong offers a free plan suitable for development and small-scale usage. However, for enterprise-level systems, Kong provides pricing starting at $250 per month.

AWS API Gateway offers a free tier plan that remains valid for 12 months, for certain request counts and connection counts. Once the free tier plan expires, users will need to pay the standard pay-as-you-go service rates. These rates are calculated based on the number of requests and connections made.

WSO2 provides a free plan ideal for development and small-scale usage. For enterprise-level systems, WSO2 offers pricing starting at $500 per month.

Mule offers a 30-day free trial. Once the trial expires, it is required to use the paid subscription.

Dell also offers a 30-day free trial. Once the trial expires, it is required to use the paid subscription.

IBM offers a free tier that includes 50,000 API calls per month. Pricing starts at $100 per month.

Have a look at the pricing of API Gateway Solutions in a tabular format for better clarity:

The pricing of the aforementioned API gateways should be evaluated based on your organization’s specific requirements, including factors such as request counts, API connections, and deployment strategies.

‘’ Explore Mulesoft Integration services for individualized digital capabilities.’’

API Gateway Solutions: Final Words

In conclusion, choosing the right API gateway is a crucial decision for organizations seeking to manage and secure their APIs effectively. Ultimately, the choice of API gateway will depend on your organization’s specific needs, budget, and existing technology landscape. It is recommended to conduct a thorough evaluation, considering the strengths and weaknesses of each solution in light of your requirements.

Still, got queries to ask? leave them in the comments and I will be delighted to reply to you.

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varun sharma
API Leadership

Founder and Growth manager at @up_reports . Helping online businesses with #traffic, sales, and leads. DM for help.