Softwr

API Management · head to head

3scale vs Paragon

3scale logo

3scale

API Management

API management platform for designing, securing, and monetizing APIs

From
$300/monthly
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Paragon logo

Paragon

Automation & Integration

Embedded integration platform for SaaS

From
$299/month
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; Paragon no price is published for either plan, and both require a quote
  • They diverge on capability: 3scale covers API Gateway, Paragon covers Embedded workflows.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where 3scale and Paragon differ
Attribute3scaleParagon
Starting price$300/monthly$299/month
PlatformsCloud, On-premises, HybridWeb, Embedded
CategoryAPI ManagementAutomation & Integration
Founded19932021

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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 Paragon

  • Embedded workflows
  • Native integrations
  • Workflow builder
  • Error handling
  • Monitoring
  • Analytics
  • Webhooks
  • 500+ apps

What people use each for

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

3scale

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

Paragon

  • Embedding third party integrations into a SaaS productnot 3scale
  • Managing customer facing connectors without building each onenot 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

Paragon

  • No price is published for either plan, and both require a quote
  • Cost scales with the number of customer tenants using the integrations, so the bill follows an end customer count rather than the vendor's own usage
  • SAML SSO, self hosting, dynamic field mapping and SLAs are all Enterprise only

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

Paragon

$299/month
  • Starter$299/month
    • 50 integrations
    • Basic support
  • Growth$999/month
    • 200 integrations
    • Priority support
  • Enterprise$5000/month
    • Unlimited integrations
    • Dedicated 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 Paragon if

  • You need embedded workflows.
  • You work on Web, Embedded.
  • You also want native integrations.
Paragon review

Questions people ask

Is 3scale or Paragon better?
Neither clearly leads. 3scale starts at $300/monthly and Paragon at $299/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3scale or Paragon?
3scale starts at $300/monthly and Paragon at $299/month.
Does 3scale or Paragon run on more platforms?
3scale runs on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid. Paragon runs on Web, Embedded.
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 Paragon is typically brought in for.
What can 3scale do that Paragon cannot?
3scale covers API Gateway, Developer Portal, API Monetization, Red Hat OpenShift. Paragon covers Embedded workflows, Native integrations, Workflow builder, Error handling.
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