Software · head to head
3scale vs WSO2 API Manager
3scale
Software
API management platform for designing, securing, and monetizing APIs
- From
- $300/monthly
- Rated
- -
WSO2 API Manager
Software
Complete API management platform for designing and managing APIs
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only WSO2 API Manager 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; WSO2 API Manager the free open source distribution does not include a subscription to the WSO2 Update service, so continuous improvements and security patches require a paid subscription
- They diverge on capability: 3scale covers API Monetization, WSO2 API Manager covers API Designer.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which 3scale and WSO2 API Manager actually diverge.
| Attribute | 3scale | WSO2 API Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $300/monthly | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | open-source |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid | Java, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes |
| Founded | 1993 | 2005 |
Identical on both: 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
- API Monetization
- Red Hat OpenShift
- AWS
- Azure
- Kubernetes
- Cloud support
- On-premises support
- Hybrid support
Only in WSO2 API Manager
- API Designer
- LDAP
- Okta
- Keycloak
- Microservices
- Java support
- Linux support
- Docker support
Both cover
- API Gateway
- Developer Portal
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
3scale
- API gateway and lifecycle managementnot WSO2 API Manager
- Rate limiting and traffic control across API consumersnot WSO2 API Manager
- Developer portal and access key managementnot WSO2 API Manager
- Monetising APIs with usage-based plansnot WSO2 API Manager
- Hybrid deployment across on-premises and cloudnot WSO2 API Manager
WSO2 API Manager
- Publishing, securing and rate limiting APIs behind a gatewaynot 3scale
- Running an API developer portal with subscription key managementnot 3scale
- Self hosting an open source API management layer on premisesnot 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
WSO2 API Manager
- The free open source distribution does not include a subscription to the WSO2 Update service, so continuous improvements and security patches require a paid subscription
- A commercial production licence is not part of the free download and comes only with a subscription
- No subscription price is published; Basic Support and Enterprise Support both require contacting sales for a quote
- 24x7x365 coverage requires Enterprise Support; the general query SLA is one business day
- A Customer Success Manager is a paid optional add on covering business hours only
- Consulting services and WSO2 Private Cloud hosting are quoted separately
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
WSO2 API Manager
Free- CommunityFree
- Core API management
- Community support
- Commercial$undefined/monthly
- Enterprise features
- Technical support
- SLA
Which should you pick?
Choose 3scale if
- You need api monetization.
- You work on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid.
- You also want red hat openshift.
Choose WSO2 API Manager if
- You need api designer.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Java, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes.
- You also want ldap.
Questions people ask
- Is 3scale or WSO2 API Manager better?
- Neither clearly leads. 3scale starts at $300/monthly and WSO2 API Manager at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, 3scale or WSO2 API Manager?
- WSO2 API Manager has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $300/monthly for 3scale and Free for WSO2 API Manager.
- Does 3scale or WSO2 API Manager run on more platforms?
- 3scale runs on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid. WSO2 API Manager runs on Java, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes.
- Can I use WSO2 API Manager for free?
- Yes. WSO2 API Manager 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 WSO2 API Manager is typically brought in for.
- What can 3scale do that WSO2 API Manager cannot?
- 3scale covers API Monetization, Red Hat OpenShift, AWS, Azure. WSO2 API Manager covers API Designer, LDAP, Okta, Keycloak. Both handle API Gateway, Developer Portal.