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AWS API Gateway vs RapidAPI

AWS API Gateway logo

AWS API Gateway

Software

Fully managed API gateway service for creating and managing APIs at scale

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
RapidAPI logo

RapidAPI

Software

API marketplace and management platform for discovering and publishing APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: AWS API Gateway rEST APIs cost $3.50 per million calls against $1.00 for HTTP APIs, so the older and more featureful type is three and a half times dearer; RapidAPI rapidAPI Enterprise Hub minimum seat requirement is 5 seats per the embedded pricing page configuration (SEATS_MINIMUM: 5).
  • They diverge on capability: AWS API Gateway covers WebSocket APIs, RapidAPI covers API Marketplace.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AWS API Gateway and RapidAPI actually diverge.

Attributes where AWS API Gateway and RapidAPI differ
AttributeAWS API GatewayRapidAPI
Pricing modelusage-basedfreemium
PlatformsAWS CloudWeb, Mobile, Desktop
Founded20062015

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 AWS API Gateway

  • WebSocket APIs
  • HTTP APIs
  • Lambda
  • EC2
  • DynamoDB
  • CloudWatch
  • IAM
  • AWS Cloud support

Only in RapidAPI

  • API Marketplace
  • API Management
  • Testing Tools
  • Multiple third-party APIs
  • Webhooks
  • Web support
  • Mobile support
  • Desktop support

Both cover

  • REST APIs

What people use each for

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

AWS API Gateway

  • Fronting Lambda functions with an HTTP endpointnot RapidAPI
  • REST and HTTP API management with throttling and keysnot RapidAPI
  • WebSocket APIs for real-time clientsnot RapidAPI
  • Private APIs reachable only inside a VPCnot RapidAPI
  • Publishing a developer portal for API consumersnot RapidAPI

RapidAPI

  • API Developmentnot AWS API Gateway
  • API Gatewaynot AWS API Gateway
  • API Testingnot AWS API Gateway
  • API Documentationnot AWS API Gateway
  • Microservicesnot AWS API Gateway

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

AWS API Gateway

  • REST APIs cost $3.50 per million calls against $1.00 for HTTP APIs, so the older and more featureful type is three and a half times dearer
  • Data transfer out is charged at $0.09 per GB on top of request pricing
  • WebSocket APIs bill connection minutes as well as messages, at $0.25 per million minutes
  • Private APIs avoid data transfer charges but incur AWS PrivateLink costs instead
  • The developer portal is $125 a month, with additional portal products at $12.50 each
  • The free tier lasts 12 months rather than being ongoing

RapidAPI

  • RapidAPI Enterprise Hub minimum seat requirement is 5 seats per the embedded pricing page configuration (SEATS_MINIMUM: 5).
  • RapidAPI places a $0.50 USD temporary credit card authorization hold when subscribing, refunded only if no overage charges occur within 7 days.

Pricing, plan by plan

AWS API Gateway

Free
  • Free TierFree
    • 1M requests per month
    • Basic API management
  • Pay-as-you-go$3.5/per 1M requests
    • Unlimited requests
    • HTTP APIs
    • REST APIs

RapidAPI

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Access to APIs
    • Basic management
    • Testing tools
  • Pro$50/monthly
    • Advanced features
    • Analytics
    • Dedicated support
  • Enterprise$undefined/monthly
    • Custom solutions
    • SLA
    • Custom integration

Which should you pick?

Choose AWS API Gateway if

  • You need websocket apis.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on AWS Cloud.
  • You also want http apis.
AWS API Gateway review

Choose RapidAPI if

  • You need api marketplace.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, Desktop.
  • You also want api management.
RapidAPI review

Questions people ask

Is AWS API Gateway or RapidAPI better?
Neither clearly leads. AWS API Gateway starts at Free and RapidAPI at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AWS API Gateway or RapidAPI?
AWS API Gateway starts at Free and RapidAPI at Free.
Does AWS API Gateway or RapidAPI run on more platforms?
AWS API Gateway runs on AWS Cloud. RapidAPI runs on Web, Mobile, Desktop.
Can I use AWS API Gateway for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is AWS API Gateway best used for?
AWS API Gateway is most often used for fronting lambda functions with an http endpoint, rest and http api management with throttling and keys, websocket apis for real-time clients, private apis reachable only inside a vpc. Of those, fronting lambda functions with an http endpoint and rest and http api management with throttling and keys are not what RapidAPI is typically brought in for.
What can AWS API Gateway do that RapidAPI cannot?
AWS API Gateway covers WebSocket APIs, HTTP APIs, Lambda, EC2. RapidAPI covers API Marketplace, API Management, Testing Tools, Multiple third-party APIs. Both handle REST APIs.
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