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APIs · head to head

3scale vs MuleSoft

3scale logo

3scale

APIs

API management platform for designing, securing, and monetizing APIs

From
$300/monthly
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MuleSoft logo

MuleSoft

Automation Integration

Integration platform as a service (iPaaS) with robust API management

From
$1500/monthly
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; MuleSoft pricing for MuleSoft solutions not published on vendor website; enterprise integration platform requires custom quote
  • They diverge on capability: 3scale covers Developer Portal, MuleSoft covers API Design.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where 3scale and MuleSoft differ
Attribute3scaleMuleSoft
Starting price$300/monthly$1500/monthly
CategoryAPIsAutomation Integration
Founded19931999

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), platforms (Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid), 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

Only in MuleSoft

  • API Design
  • Integration Platform
  • Salesforce
  • SAP
  • Oracle
  • ServiceNow

Both cover

  • API Gateway
  • AWS
  • Cloud support
  • On-premises support
  • Hybrid support

What people use each for

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

3scale

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

MuleSoft

  • AI agent orchestration and governance across multiple LLM platformsnot 3scale
  • API management and gateway control from development through productionnot 3scale
  • Integration middleware for legacy systems and cloud applicationsnot 3scale
  • Multi-agent ecosystem discovery and centralized agent registrynot 3scale
  • Compliance and security monitoring across API, agent, and data interactionsnot 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

MuleSoft

  • Pricing for MuleSoft solutions not published on vendor website; enterprise integration platform requires custom quote

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

MuleSoft

$1500/monthly
  • Starter$1500/monthly
    • API gateway
    • Design center
    • Basic integration
  • Professional$3500/monthly
    • Advanced integration
    • Analytics
    • Team collaboration
  • Enterprise$undefined/monthly
    • Full Anypoint platform
    • Custom SLA
    • Advanced security

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 MuleSoft if

  • You need api design.
  • You work on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid.
  • You also want integration platform.
MuleSoft review

Questions people ask

Is 3scale or MuleSoft better?
Neither clearly leads. 3scale starts at $300/monthly and MuleSoft at $1500/monthly, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3scale or MuleSoft?
3scale starts at $300/monthly and MuleSoft at $1500/monthly.
Does 3scale or MuleSoft run on more platforms?
Both run on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
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 MuleSoft is typically brought in for.
What can 3scale do that MuleSoft cannot?
3scale covers Developer Portal, API Monetization, Red Hat OpenShift, Azure. MuleSoft covers API Design, Integration Platform, Salesforce, SAP. Both handle API Gateway, AWS, Cloud support, On-premises 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
MuleSoft: What does MuleSoft cost?

MuleSoft does not publish pricing on its website. The vendor markets its Anypoint Platform to enterprises with custom licensing quotes.

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
MuleSoft: How much does the MuleSoft Anypoint Platform cost per user?

MuleSoft does not disclose per-user, per-month, or per-API pricing on its website. Licensing models vary by customer requirements and deployment size.

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
MuleSoft: Does MuleSoft offer a free trial?

MuleSoft encourages users to watch demos or contact sales to explore the platform. No free trial offer is mentioned on the website.

Source
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