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The ultimate comparison of API management solutions

In today's digitally networked world, APIs form the backbone of modern IT architectures. Companies rely on APIs to seamlessly connect applications, services and databases. However, as API usage increases, so does the complexity - from security aspects and scalability to analysis and monetization. This comparison shows the differences between the leading API management solutions: Apigee, WSO2 API Manager, APIMEN, Connectivity Link, OpenResty, Tyk, Gravitee and MuleSoft. Find out which solution best suits your company's requirements.

5 min read

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Why API management is crucial

In today’s digitally networked world, APIs form the basis of modern IT architectures. Companies rely on APIs to seamlessly connect applications, services and databases. However, as API usage increases, so does the complexity – from security aspects and scalability to analysis and monetization.

This comparison shows the differences between the leading API management solutions: Apigee, WSO2 API Manager, APIMEN, 3Scale, OpenResty, Tyk, Gravitee, Axway and MuleSoft. Find out which solution best suits your company’s requirements.

1. apigee – The API management platform from Google Cloud

Overview: Apigee is a comprehensive API management platform that covers the entire API lifecycle – from design and development to deployment, security, monitoring and monetization. Particularly interesting for companies that work heavily in the Google Cloud environment.

Strengths:

  • Security: OAuth2, JWT, API keys, DDoS protection
  • Performance: High-performance API gateway, caching and load balancing
  • Analysis: real-time API tracking, detailed dashboards
  • Monetization: Flexible billing models and API marketplace

Target group: Large and small companies with complex API environments and high security requirements.

2. WSO2 API Manager – The complete open source solution

Overview: WSO2 API Manager is an open source-based solution with a commercial enterprise option. It offers API gateway, lifecycle management, identity and access management as well as comprehensive analysis functions.

Strengths:

  • Open source: Transparent and flexible customization
  • Versatility: REST, GraphQL, SOAP support
  • Security: Integrated IAM (OAuth2, OpenID Connect, Zero Trust architecture)
  • Hybrid provision: on-premise, cloud or hybrid

Target group: Companies with complex integration requirements that are looking for a flexible and cost-effective solution.

3 APIMEN – Modern no-code API management

Overview: APIMEN is a modern API management platform with user-friendly no-code integration and automated API documentation.

Strengths:

  • User-friendliness: Intuitive dashboard
  • Security: OAuth, API keys, JWT authentication
  • Performance: Automatic scaling & load balancing
  • Flexibility: on-premise and cloud-capable

Target group: Small and medium-sized enterprises with rapid market entry.

4. connectivity link – the API connectivity platform

Overview: Connectivity Link offers a modern API solution for secure system networking and integration.

Strengths:

  • Enterprise-ready: modern microservices & container integration
  • Integration: Versatile interfaces & seamless connection
  • Security & analysis: Comprehensive monitoring & precise access control

Target group: Companies with requirements for flexible, scalable API management solutions.

Migration from 3Scale to Connectivity Link:

  • Inventory of existing API configurations
  • Step-by-step test migration and adaptation of the API strategy
  • Training the teams for a smooth transition

5 OpenResty – High-performance API gateway

Overview: OpenResty is based on NGINX and is aimed at developers looking for a flexible, customizable API gateway solution.

Strengths:

  • Performance: Extremely high performance thanks to NGINX
  • Flexibility: Lua scripting for customization
  • Costs: Open Source, no license costs

Weaknesses:

  • No complete API management
  • Requires in-depth technical know-how

Target group: Development teams with a focus on maximum customizability.

6 Tyk – Open source API management

Strengths:

  • GraphQL support
  • Performance: Lightweight and efficient
  • Security: Basic security features

Weaknesses:

  • External IAM solutions required (Auth0, Okta)

Target group: Companies that need a powerful open source API management solution.

7 Gravitee – Event-Driven API Management

Strengths:

  • Complete open source API management
  • Integrated IAM
  • Event-driven features: Kafka, websockets, adaptive monitoring

Target group: Companies with a focus on open source and event-driven APIs.

8 Axway API Gateway – Enterprise-Ready API Management

Overview: Axway API Gateway is an enterprise-grade API management platform characterized by high security, governance and end-to-end control. The solution supports REST, SOAP, XML and many other formats, enabling organizations to efficiently manage complex API ecosystems.

Strengths:

  • End-to-end lifecycle management: API creation, virtualization and complete management
  • Security: NIST FIPS, OAuth2 and API firewall integration
  • Governance: rate limiting, SLA monitoring and traffic throttling
  • Cloud connectivity: support for Salesforce, Google and AWS
  • Monitoring & reporting: real-time analysis and API usage reports

Target group: Companies with high security requirements that need to manage and secure APIs across different environments.

9 MuleSoft – The solution for enterprise integrations

Overview: MuleSoft’s Anypoint Platform combines API management with enterprise integration.

Strengths:

  • Integration capability: connectors for Salesforce, SAP, AWS
  • API creation: No-code API design
  • Monitoring & Governance: Central monitoring

Target group: Companies that combine API management with system integration.

9. Kong – High-performance and flexible API gateway

Overview: Kong is a leading open source API management platform with a strong focus on scalability, security and performance. It offers support for hybrid and multi-cloud environments and is ideal for microservices architectures.

Strengths:

  • Security: OAuth2, JWT, Mutual TLS, API keys
  • Performance: High throughput rates, low overhead
  • Scalability: support for Kubernetes and Service Mesh
  • Flexibility: open source and commercial enterprise version

Target group: Companies that require a highly scalable and expandable API management solution.

10 Azure API Management – The solution for Microsoft environments

Overview: Azure API Management is Microsoft’s API gateway solution that integrates perfectly with existing Azure services. It is particularly suitable for companies looking for centralized API management within the Microsoft ecosystem.

Strengths:

  • Security: OAuth2, OpenID Connect, IP whitelisting, mTLS
  • Integration: Seamless connection to Azure Functions, Logic Apps, Event Grid
  • Scalability: Automatic scaling in Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
  • Administration: Centralized API management and developer portals

Target group: Companies that rely heavily on Microsoft Azure and require a comprehensive API management solution.

11 AWS API Gateway – API management for cloud-native applications

Overview: AWS API Gateway is the native API management solution from Amazon Web Services and is ideal for companies that operate a cloud-native architecture with microservices or serverless applications.

Strengths:

  • Security: IAM, Lambda Authorizer, API Keys, AWS WAF
  • Performance: Global deployment with CloudFront integration
  • Scalability: Automatic adaptation to traffic
  • Cost model: pay-per-use for API calls

Target group: Companies that already rely heavily on AWS and need a scalable API management solution.

Comparison table

SolutionOpen SourceProvisionSecurityPerformanceMonitoringGraphQLEvent-DrivenMonetizationTarget group
Apigee❌Cloud, Hybrid✅ OAuth2, JWT🔥 Very high✅ Real-time dashboards❌❌✅Large companies with a focus on Google Cloud
WSO2✅On-prem, cloud, hybridIAM, OAuth2🔥 High✅ Comprehensive✅❌PartialCompanies with complex integration requirements
APIMEN❌Cloud, on-prem✅ OAuth2, JWT🔥 High✅ Simple❌❌✅SMEs with no-code preference
Connectivity Link❌Cloud, HybridAccess control🔥 HighPrecise❌❌❌Company with strong system integration
OpenResty✅On-Prem🔒 Basic🚀 Extremely high❌❌❌❌Developers with NGINX expertise
Tyc✅Cloud, hybrid, on-prem🔒 Basic🔥 High✅✅❌❌Companies with an affinity for open source
Gravitee✅Cloud, on-prem✅ Integrated IAM🔥 HighAdaptive✅✅✅Event-Driven Architectures
Axway❌Cloud, HybridAPI firewall, OAuth🔥 High✅ Enterprise❌❌✅Companies with an SLA & governance focus
MuleSoft❌Cloud, HybridIAM, monitoring🔥 HighCentralized❌❌✅Companies with enterprise integrations
Kong✅Cloud, on-prem✅ mTLS, JWT🚀 Very high✅✅❌PartialMicroservice-driven architectures
Azure API Mgt.❌Azure Cloud✅ mTLS, OAuth2🔥 HighAzure-native✅❌✅Azure-centric companies
AWS API Gateway❌AWS Cloud✅ IAM, WAF🚀 Very high✅ AWS CloudWatch✅❌✅Cloud-native architectures on AWS

Conclusion

Choosing the right API management solution depends on the individual requirements of your company.

🚀 Do you need help with your selection? Get in touch with us!

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