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Microsoft Azure API Management vs Akana

Microsoft Azure API Management logo

Microsoft Azure API Management

Software

Hybrid, multi-cloud API management service on Azure

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Akana logo

Akana

Software

Enterprise API lifecycle management platform

From
$2500/monthly
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Microsoft Azure API Management has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Microsoft Azure API Management prices are not shown on the pricing page itself; every tier renders as a placeholder and routes to the calculator or sales; Akana owned by Perforce and sold within their portfolio rather than independently, and akana.com redirects to perforce.com
  • They diverge on capability: Microsoft Azure API Management covers API Gateway, Akana covers API Lifecycle Management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Microsoft Azure API Management and Akana actually diverge.

Attributes where Microsoft Azure API Management and Akana differ
AttributeMicrosoft Azure API ManagementAkana
Starting priceFree$2500/monthly
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsCloud, Hybrid, Multi-cloudCloud, On-premise, Hybrid
Founded19752001

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 Microsoft Azure API Management

  • API Gateway
  • Developer Portal
  • API Policies
  • Azure services
  • AWS
  • Google Cloud
  • On-premises
  • Multi-cloud support

Only in Akana

  • API Lifecycle Management
  • API Security
  • Governance Controls
  • OAuth
  • SAML
  • LDAP
  • Active Directory
  • On-premise support

Both cover

  • Cloud support
  • Hybrid support

What people use each for

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

Microsoft Azure API Management

  • API gateway and lifecycle management on Azurenot Akana
  • Throttling, keys and policies in front of backend servicesnot Akana
  • Developer portal for internal and partner APIsnot Akana
  • Hybrid deployments using self-hosted gatewaysnot Akana

Akana

  • API lifecycle management across REST, SOAP and GraphQLnot Microsoft Azure API Management
  • Applying OAuth, JWT and SAML policies at the gatewaynot Microsoft Azure API Management
  • Running the same platform on-premises, in Kubernetes or across cloudsnot Microsoft Azure API Management
  • Developer portal and API monetisationnot Microsoft Azure API Management
  • Monitoring API traffic and enforcing quotasnot Microsoft Azure API Management

Where each one falls short

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

Microsoft Azure API Management

  • Prices are not shown on the pricing page itself; every tier renders as a placeholder and routes to the calculator or sales
  • Two parallel generations of tiers, classic and v2, so the choice is which lineage before which size
  • The Developer tier is explicitly not for production
  • Self-hosted gateways and workspace gateways are charged separately from the service

Akana

  • Owned by Perforce and sold within their portfolio rather than independently, and akana.com redirects to perforce.com
  • Pricing is not published; only a 30 day trial is offered

Pricing, plan by plan

Microsoft Azure API Management

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1M calls/month
    • Community support
  • Developer$50/monthly
    • 10M calls/month
    • Email support
  • Premium$500/monthly
    • Unlimited calls
    • Priority support
    • SLA

Akana

$2500/monthly
  • Professional$2500/monthly
    • API Gateway
    • Developer Portal
    • Basic analytics
  • Enterprise$5000/monthly
    • Advanced governance
    • Multi-cloud support
    • Premium support
  • Custom$undefined/monthly
    • Custom solutions
    • Dedicated support
    • SLA guarantee

Which should you pick?

Choose Microsoft Azure API Management if

  • You need api gateway.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Cloud, Hybrid, Multi-cloud.
  • You also want developer portal.
Microsoft Azure API Management review

Choose Akana if

  • You need api lifecycle management.
  • You work on Cloud, On-premise, Hybrid.
  • You also want api security.
Akana review

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft Azure API Management or Akana better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Azure API Management starts at Free and Akana at $2500/monthly, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Azure API Management or Akana?
Microsoft Azure API Management has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Microsoft Azure API Management and $2500/monthly for Akana.
Does Microsoft Azure API Management or Akana run on more platforms?
Microsoft Azure API Management runs on Cloud, Hybrid, Multi-cloud. Akana runs on Cloud, On-premise, Hybrid.
Can I use Microsoft Azure API Management for free?
Yes. Microsoft Azure API Management has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Akana starts at $2500/monthly.
What is Microsoft Azure API Management best used for?
Microsoft Azure API Management is most often used for api gateway and lifecycle management on azure, throttling, keys and policies in front of backend services, developer portal for internal and partner apis, hybrid deployments using self-hosted gateways. Of those, api gateway and lifecycle management on azure and throttling, keys and policies in front of backend services are not what Akana is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft Azure API Management do that Akana cannot?
Microsoft Azure API Management covers API Gateway, Developer Portal, API Policies, Azure services. Akana covers API Lifecycle Management, API Security, Governance Controls, OAuth. Both handle Cloud support, Hybrid support.
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