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APIs · head to head

3scale vs Apache Solr

3scale logo

3scale

APIs

API management platform for designing, securing, and monetizing APIs

From
$300/monthly
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Apache Solr logo

Apache Solr

Databases

Enterprise search platform built on Apache Lucene

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Apache Solr has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; Apache Solr xML-heavy configuration and a developer experience that feels dated beside newer engines
  • They diverge on capability: 3scale covers API Gateway, Apache Solr covers Lucene-based indexing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 3scale and Apache Solr actually diverge.

Attributes where 3scale and Apache Solr differ
Attribute3scaleApache Solr
Starting price$300/monthlyFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionOpen source, no licence fee
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsCloud, On-premises, HybridLinux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted
CategoryAPIsDatabases
Founded1993Unknown

Identical on both: 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

  • API Gateway
  • Developer Portal
  • API Monetization
  • Red Hat OpenShift
  • AWS
  • Azure
  • Kubernetes
  • Cloud support

Only in Apache Solr

  • Lucene-based indexing
  • Faceted search
  • SolrCloud
  • Schema control

What people use each for

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

3scale

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

Apache Solr

  • Library, archive and catalogue search where faceting is centralnot 3scale
  • Long-lived enterprise deployments valuing stability over noveltynot 3scale
  • Search requiring precise, explicitly configured relevance tuningnot 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

Apache Solr

  • XML-heavy configuration and a developer experience that feels dated beside newer engines
  • SolrCloud depends on ZooKeeper, adding a component Elasticsearch removed years ago
  • Smaller mindshare now, so newer tutorials, hiring and integrations favour Elasticsearch
  • Considerably heavier than a purpose-built application search engine

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

Apache Solr

Free
  • Apache SolrFree
    • Full functionality
    • No usage limits
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

Choose 3scale if

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

Choose Apache Solr if

  • You need lucene-based indexing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
  • You also want faceted search.
Apache Solr review

Questions people ask

Is 3scale or Apache Solr better?
Neither clearly leads. 3scale starts at $300/monthly and Apache Solr at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3scale or Apache Solr?
Apache Solr has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $300/monthly for 3scale and Free for Apache Solr.
Does 3scale or Apache Solr run on more platforms?
3scale runs on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid. Apache Solr runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
Can I use Apache Solr for free?
Yes. Apache Solr has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. 3scale starts at $300/monthly.
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 Apache Solr is typically brought in for.
What can 3scale do that Apache Solr cannot?
3scale covers API Gateway, Developer Portal, API Monetization, Red Hat OpenShift. Apache Solr covers Lucene-based indexing, Faceted search, SolrCloud, Schema control.

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
Apache Solr: Is Apache Solr free?

Yes, open source under the Apache Software Foundation.

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
Apache Solr: Solr or Elasticsearch?

Both are built on Lucene. Elasticsearch has the larger ecosystem and a friendlier API; Solr is very mature and strong on faceted search, and remains common in library and catalogue systems.

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
Apache Solr: Is Solr still maintained?

Yes, actively, as a top-level Apache project.

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