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APIs · head to head

3scale vs Akamai

3scale logo

3scale

APIs

API management platform for designing, securing, and monetizing APIs

From
$300/monthly
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Akamai logo

Akamai

Cloud

Leading content delivery and security platform

From
$1000/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 3scale red Hat's managed 3scale services end on 30 June 2027, so anyone adopting the hosted option now is choosing a product with a published end date; Akamai no public pricing available; custom quotes required
  • They diverge on capability: 3scale covers Developer Portal, Akamai covers CDN.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 3scale and Akamai actually diverge.

Attributes where 3scale and Akamai differ
Attribute3scaleAkamai
Starting price$300/monthly$1000/month
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
PlatformsCloud, On-premises, HybridWeb, Api
CategoryAPIsCloud
Founded19931998

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in 3scale

  • Developer Portal
  • API Monetization
  • Red Hat OpenShift
  • Azure
  • Kubernetes
  • Cloud support
  • On-premises support
  • Hybrid support

Only in Akamai

  • CDN
  • DDoS Protection
  • Web Application Firewall
  • Bot Management
  • Image Optimization
  • Video Platform
  • Analytics
  • Microsoft Azure

Both cover

  • API Gateway
  • AWS

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

3scale

  • API gateway and lifecycle managementnot Akamai
  • Rate limiting and traffic control across API consumersnot Akamai
  • Developer portal and access key managementnot Akamai
  • Monetising APIs with usage-based plansnot Akamai
  • Hybrid deployment across on-premises and cloudnot Akamai

Akamai

  • Content delivery and web performance through Ion and adaptive media deliverynot 3scale
  • DDoS protection, bot management and API securitynot 3scale
  • Running compute, Kubernetes and managed databases on Akamai's cloudnot 3scale
  • Edge compute with EdgeWorkersnot 3scale
  • Zero trust access for enterprise applicationsnot 3scale

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

3scale

  • Red Hat's managed 3scale services end on 30 June 2027, so anyone adopting the hosted option now is choosing a product with a published end date
  • Sold as part of Red Hat middleware rather than standalone, and 3scale.net redirects into redhat.com
  • Pricing is not published and a subscription is required for some services

Akamai

  • No public pricing available; custom quotes required
  • Sales-focused pricing model

Pricing, plan by plan

3scale

$300/monthly
  • Starter$300/monthly
    • API gateway
    • Developer portal
    • Basic analytics
  • Professional$750/monthly
    • Advanced features
    • API monetization
    • Enhanced support
  • Enterprise$undefined/monthly
    • Custom deployment
    • Dedicated support
    • Premium SLA

Akamai

$1000/month
  • CDN$1000/month
    • Content delivery
    • Global edge network
    • Real-time analytics
  • Security Suite$2000/month
    • DDoS protection
    • WAF
    • Bot management

Which should you pick?

Choose 3scale if

  • You need developer portal.
  • You work on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid.
  • You also want api monetization.
3scale review

Choose Akamai if

  • You need cdn.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want ddos protection.
Akamai review

Questions people ask

Is 3scale or Akamai better?
Neither clearly leads. 3scale starts at $300/monthly and Akamai at $1000/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3scale or Akamai?
3scale starts at $300/monthly and Akamai at $1000/month.
Does 3scale or Akamai run on more platforms?
3scale runs on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid. Akamai runs on Web, Api.
What is 3scale best used for?
3scale is most often used for api gateway and lifecycle management, rate limiting and traffic control across api consumers, developer portal and access key management, monetising apis with usage-based plans. Of those, api gateway and lifecycle management and rate limiting and traffic control across api consumers are not what Akamai is typically brought in for.
What can 3scale do that Akamai cannot?
3scale covers Developer Portal, API Monetization, Red Hat OpenShift, Azure. Akamai covers CDN, DDoS Protection, Web Application Firewall, Bot Management. Both handle API Gateway, AWS.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

3scale: Does Red Hat 3scale require a subscription?

Yes. The page states a subscription may be required for some services, though specific subscription details and costs are not published on this page.

Source
Akamai: How is Akamai pricing structured?

Akamai emphasizes straightforward pricing with no hidden fees, no egress surprises, and no vendor lock-in, but specific pricing is not published. Regional pricing pages exist for North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and other areas, with customers directed to contact sales.

Source
3scale: Is a trial available for 3scale?

A 'Start a trial' link is mentioned in navigation, but trial duration, included features, and limitations are not specified on this page.

Source
Akamai: Does Akamai offer a free trial?

Akamai offers a promotional trial with $100 in credits for Akamai Cloud, though conditions apply.

Source
3scale: When will Red Hat 3scale end support?

Red Hat 3scale API Management maintenance and managed services will end on June 30, 2027. Customers should plan migrations accordingly.

Source
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