Softwr

API Management · head to head

3scale vs Cypress

3scale logo

3scale

API Management

API management platform for designing, securing, and monetizing APIs

From
$300/monthly
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Cypress logo

Cypress

Testing & QA

JavaScript end-to-end testing framework with browser-based runner and cloud service

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Cypress 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; Cypress limited to web applications; mobile and desktop app testing not supported

Where they differ

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

Attributes where 3scale and Cypress differ
Attribute3scaleCypress
Starting price$300/monthlyFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsCloud, On-premises, HybridmacOS, Windows, Linux
CategoryAPI ManagementTesting & QA
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 Cypress

Nothing recorded that 3scale does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

3scale

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

Cypress

  • End-to-end testing for modern JavaScript web applicationsnot 3scale
  • Continuous integration pipelines with parallelised test executionnot 3scale
  • Visual regression testing and accessibility verificationnot 3scale
  • Flaky test detection and eliminationnot 3scale
  • Team collaboration on test maintenance and debuggingnot 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

Cypress

  • Limited to web applications; mobile and desktop app testing not supported
  • Free tier capped at 500 test results/month; insufficient for most development teams
  • Paid features (flake detection, analytics) not included in free tier
  • JavaScript/TypeScript focused; less suitable for polyglot organisations

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

Cypress

Free
  • Starter (Free)Free
    • 500 test results/month
    • 100 prompt executions/month
    • Parallelisation
  • Team$67/month
    • 120k test results/year
    • 9k prompt executions/year
    • Flake detection
  • Business$267/month
    • 120k test results/year
    • 24k prompt executions/year
    • Spec prioritisation
  • Enterprise$null/custom
    • 1.8M test results/year
    • 60k prompt executions/year
    • Unlimited users

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 Cypress if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on macOS, Windows, Linux.
Cypress review

Questions people ask

Is 3scale or Cypress better?
Neither clearly leads. 3scale starts at $300/monthly and Cypress at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3scale or Cypress?
Cypress has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $300/monthly for 3scale and Free for Cypress.
Does 3scale or Cypress run on more platforms?
3scale runs on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid. Cypress runs on macOS, Windows, Linux.
Can I use Cypress for free?
Yes. Cypress 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 Cypress is typically brought in for.
What can 3scale do that Cypress cannot?
3scale covers API Gateway, Developer Portal, API Monetization, Red Hat OpenShift.
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