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Software · head to head

3scale vs MuleSoft Anypoint

3scale logo

3scale

Software

API management platform for designing, securing, and monetizing APIs

From
$300/monthly
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MuleSoft Anypoint logo

MuleSoft Anypoint

Software

Integration platform enabling API-led connectivity and end-to-end integration across systems

From
$2000/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 Anypoint listed on UK G-Cloud at £69,200 per unit per year for the MuleSoft Anypoint Platform (Public Sector), via reseller Open Answers Limited
  • They diverge on capability: 3scale covers Developer Portal, MuleSoft Anypoint covers Integration Flows.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where 3scale and MuleSoft Anypoint differ
Attribute3scaleMuleSoft Anypoint
Starting price$300/monthly$2000/monthly
PlatformsCloud, On-premises, HybridCloud, Hybrid, On-premise
Founded19932006

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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
  • AWS
  • Azure
  • Kubernetes
  • On-premises support

Only in MuleSoft Anypoint

  • Integration Flows
  • Data Transformation
  • 500+ pre-built connectors
  • Custom connectors
  • Webhooks
  • API management
  • On-premise support

Both cover

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

MuleSoft Anypoint

  • API Developmentnot 3scale
  • API Gatewaynot 3scale
  • API Testingnot 3scale
  • API Documentationnot 3scale
  • Microservicesnot 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 Anypoint

  • Listed on UK G-Cloud at £69,200 per unit per year for the MuleSoft Anypoint Platform (Public Sector), via reseller Open Answers Limited

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 Anypoint

$2000/monthly
  • Integration Developer$2000/monthly
    • API design
    • Integration flows
    • Connectors
  • Professional$5000/monthly
    • Advanced features
    • Priority support
    • SLA
  • Enterprise$undefined/monthly
    • Custom solutions
    • Dedicated support
    • Premium SLA

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 Anypoint if

  • You need integration flows.
  • You work on Cloud, Hybrid, On-premise.
  • You also want data transformation.
MuleSoft Anypoint review

Questions people ask

Is 3scale or MuleSoft Anypoint better?
Neither clearly leads. 3scale starts at $300/monthly and MuleSoft Anypoint at $2000/monthly, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3scale or MuleSoft Anypoint?
3scale starts at $300/monthly and MuleSoft Anypoint at $2000/monthly.
Does 3scale or MuleSoft Anypoint run on more platforms?
3scale runs on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid. MuleSoft Anypoint runs on Cloud, Hybrid, On-premise.
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 Anypoint is typically brought in for.
What can 3scale do that MuleSoft Anypoint cannot?
3scale covers Developer Portal, API Monetization, Red Hat OpenShift, AWS. MuleSoft Anypoint covers Integration Flows, Data Transformation, 500+ pre-built connectors, Custom connectors. Both handle API Gateway, Cloud support, Hybrid support.
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