Softwr

API Management · head to head

3scale vs Tyk

3scale logo

3scale

API Management

API management platform for designing, securing, and monetizing APIs

From
$300/monthly
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tyk logo

Tyk

API Management

Open-source API gateway and API management platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Tyk 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; Tyk no plan publishes a price, so every tier requires contacting sales
  • They diverge on capability: 3scale covers Developer Portal, Tyk covers Rate Limiting.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where 3scale and Tyk differ
Attribute3scaleTyk
Starting price$300/monthlyFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsCloud, On-premises, HybridLinux, Docker, Kubernetes, Cloud
Founded19932013

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

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
  • On-premises support
  • Hybrid support

Only in Tyk

  • Rate Limiting
  • Authentication
  • Docker
  • Linux support
  • Docker support
  • Kubernetes support

Both cover

  • API Gateway
  • AWS
  • Azure
  • Kubernetes
  • Cloud support

What people use each for

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

3scale

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

Tyk

  • Running an open source API gateway self managed, hybrid or in the cloudnot 3scale
  • Governing APIs across regulated or multi region environmentsnot 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

Tyk

  • No plan publishes a price, so every tier requires contacting sales
  • Multi region and multi cloud deployment are Enterprise only
  • Custom support SLAs and a named customer success manager are 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

Tyk

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Core gateway
    • Community support
  • Cloud Pro$100/monthly
    • Managed cloud
    • Analytics
    • API portal
  • Cloud Enterprise$500/monthly
    • Advanced features
    • Dedicated support
    • Custom 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 Tyk if

  • You need rate limiting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Cloud.
  • You also want authentication.
Tyk review

Questions people ask

Is 3scale or Tyk better?
Neither clearly leads. 3scale starts at $300/monthly and Tyk at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3scale or Tyk?
Tyk has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $300/monthly for 3scale and Free for Tyk.
Does 3scale or Tyk run on more platforms?
3scale runs on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid. Tyk runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Cloud.
Can I use Tyk for free?
Yes. Tyk 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 Tyk is typically brought in for.
What can 3scale do that Tyk cannot?
3scale covers Developer Portal, API Monetization, Red Hat OpenShift, On-premises support. Tyk covers Rate Limiting, Authentication, Docker, Linux support. Both handle API Gateway, AWS, Azure, Kubernetes.
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