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APIs · head to head

3scale vs Swagger

3scale logo

3scale

APIs

API management platform for designing, securing, and monetizing APIs

From
$300/monthly
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Swagger logo

Swagger

APIs

API design and documentation platform for building, testing, and managing APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Swagger 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; Swagger specific pricing details not published on main website; requires accessing pricing page or contacting sales
  • They diverge on capability: 3scale covers API Gateway, Swagger covers API Specification.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where 3scale and Swagger differ
Attribute3scaleSwagger
Starting price$300/monthlyFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsCloud, On-premises, HybridWeb, CLI, Desktop
Founded19932011

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 Gateway
  • Developer Portal
  • API Monetization
  • Red Hat OpenShift
  • AWS
  • Azure
  • Kubernetes
  • Cloud support

Only in Swagger

  • API Specification
  • Interactive Documentation
  • Code Generation
  • GitHub
  • GitLab
  • Azure DevOps
  • Jira
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

3scale

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

Swagger

  • 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

Swagger

  • Specific pricing details not published on main website; requires accessing pricing page or contacting sales

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

Swagger

Free
  • FreeFree
    • OpenAPI specification
    • Swagger UI
    • API documentation
  • Professional$20/monthly
    • Advanced features
    • Team collaboration
    • API testing
  • Enterprise$undefined/monthly
    • Custom deployment
    • Advanced security
    • 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 Swagger if

  • You need api specification.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, CLI, Desktop.
  • You also want interactive documentation.
Swagger review

Questions people ask

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

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
Swagger: How much does Swagger cost?

Swagger does not publish specific pricing details on its main website. A free tier is available with a Start Free Trial option. For detailed pricing information, users must visit the dedicated pricing page or contact Swagger sales directly.

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
Swagger: Does Swagger offer a free plan?

Yes, Swagger offers a free tier described as simple, useful, and easy to master for API client functionality. Exact feature details and limitations are not specified on the homepage.

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
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