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APIs · head to head

3scale vs Gravitee

3scale logo

3scale

APIs

API management platform for designing, securing, and monetizing APIs

From
$300/monthly
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Gravitee logo

Gravitee

APIs

Open source API management platform for event-native APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Gravitee 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; Gravitee the entry paid API management tier is $2,500 a month and includes a single production gateway
  • They diverge on capability: 3scale covers API Monetization, Gravitee covers Analytics Dashboard.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where 3scale and Gravitee differ
Attribute3scaleGravitee
Starting price$300/monthlyFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsCloud, On-premises, HybridCloud, On-premise, Kubernetes
Founded19932015

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (APIs).

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 Monetization
  • Red Hat OpenShift
  • AWS
  • Azure
  • On-premises support
  • Hybrid support

Only in Gravitee

  • Analytics Dashboard
  • Docker
  • Kafka
  • LDAP
  • On-premise support
  • Kubernetes support

Both cover

  • API Gateway
  • Developer Portal
  • Kubernetes
  • Cloud support

What people use each for

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

3scale

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

Gravitee

  • API gateway and lifecycle management
  • Exposing Kafka event streams as managed APIsnot 3scale
  • Protocol mediation between event brokers and clientsnot 3scale
  • Self-hosting an open source API gatewaynot 3scale
  • Access control and authentication in front of internal APIsnot 3scale

Both are used for api gateway and lifecycle management, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

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

Gravitee

  • The entry paid API management tier is $2,500 a month and includes a single production gateway
  • Event management is priced separately, starting at $1,250 a month for the Comet tier
  • Tiers are gated on gateway and broker counts, so scaling horizontally means moving tier rather than paying incrementally
  • Data logging masking and other enterprise features are withheld from the lowest paid tier
  • 24/7 support requires the top Universe tier

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

Gravitee

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • API Gateway
    • Basic analytics
    • Community support
  • Enterprise$1500/monthly
    • Advanced features
    • SLA support
    • SSO integration
  • Custom$undefined/monthly
    • Custom deployment
    • Dedicated support
    • Premium SLA

Which should you pick?

Choose 3scale if

  • You need api monetization.
  • You work on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid.
  • You also want red hat openshift.
3scale review

Choose Gravitee if

  • You need analytics dashboard.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Cloud, On-premise, Kubernetes.
  • You also want docker.
Gravitee review

Questions people ask

Is 3scale or Gravitee better?
Neither clearly leads. 3scale starts at $300/monthly and Gravitee at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3scale or Gravitee?
Gravitee has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $300/monthly for 3scale and Free for Gravitee.
Does 3scale or Gravitee run on more platforms?
3scale runs on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid. Gravitee runs on Cloud, On-premise, Kubernetes.
Can I use Gravitee for free?
Yes. Gravitee 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, rate limiting and traffic control across api consumers and developer portal and access key management are not what Gravitee is typically brought in for.
What can 3scale do that Gravitee cannot?
3scale covers API Monetization, Red Hat OpenShift, AWS, Azure. Gravitee covers Analytics Dashboard, Docker, Kafka, LDAP. Both handle API Gateway, Developer Portal, Kubernetes, Cloud support.

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
Gravitee: What is Gravitee's pricing model?

Gravitee uses a tiered subscription model with monthly flat pricing. The Planet tier for API Management starts at $2,500/month with one production gateway, while the Comet tier for Event Management starts at $1,250/month.

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
Gravitee: Are there hidden fees with Gravitee?

No. Gravitee explicitly states there are no hidden fees, and all tiers include unlimited users and unlimited APIs under management.

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
Gravitee: What does higher tier pricing include in Gravitee?

Higher tiers add more production gateways, enterprise plugins, and enhanced support levels ranging from Gold to Platinum/Diamond support.

Source
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