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API Management · head to head

Microsoft Azure API Management vs Freshservice

Microsoft Azure API Management logo

Microsoft Azure API Management

API Management

Hybrid, multi-cloud API management service on Azure

From
Free
Rated
-
Freshservice logo

Freshservice

Customer Support

Modern IT service management

From
$19/month
Rated
-

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; Freshservice change, problem and release management require the Pro plan at $99 per agent per month, so core ITIL processes sit two tiers up
  • They diverge on capability: Microsoft Azure API Management covers API Gateway, Freshservice covers Incident management.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Microsoft Azure API Management and Freshservice differ
AttributeMicrosoft Azure API ManagementFreshservice
Starting priceFree$19/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsCloud, Hybrid, Multi-cloudWeb, Ios, Android
CategoryAPI ManagementCustomer Support
Founded19752010

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated).

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
  • Google Cloud
  • On-premises
  • Cloud support
  • Hybrid support

Only in Freshservice

  • Incident management
  • Asset management
  • Change management
  • Knowledge base
  • Automation
  • Reporting
  • Slack
  • Microsoft Teams

Both cover

  • AWS

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 Freshservice
  • Throttling, keys and policies in front of backend servicesnot Freshservice
  • Developer portal for internal and partner APIsnot Freshservice
  • Hybrid deployments using self-hosted gatewaysnot Freshservice

Freshservice

  • IT service management and internal help desk ticketingnot Microsoft Azure API Management
  • Asset management and change control for IT teamsnot 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

Freshservice

  • Change, problem and release management require the Pro plan at $99 per agent per month, so core ITIL processes sit two tiers up
  • Every plan includes only 100 ITAM asset units, with more sold separately regardless of tier
  • Orchestration transactions are metered monthly, from 1,000 on Starter to 20,000 on Enterprise, with extra packs at $250 per 1,000
  • The Freddy AI copilot is a $29 per agent per month add on on top of Pro or Enterprise
  • Sandbox and audit logs are Enterprise only, which carries no published price

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

Freshservice

$19/month
  • Starter$19/month
    • Incident management
    • Knowledge base
    • Self-service portal
  • Growth$49/month
    • Asset management
    • Approval workflows
    • SLA management
  • Pro$95/month
    • Problem management
    • Change management
    • Release management
  • Enterprise$119/month
    • Freddy AI
    • Audit logs
    • Custom SSL

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.

Choose Freshservice if

  • You need incident management.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want asset management.

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft Azure API Management or Freshservice better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Azure API Management starts at Free and Freshservice at $19/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Azure API Management or Freshservice?
Microsoft Azure API Management has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Microsoft Azure API Management and $19/month for Freshservice.
Does Microsoft Azure API Management or Freshservice run on more platforms?
Microsoft Azure API Management runs on Cloud, Hybrid, Multi-cloud. Freshservice runs on Web, Ios, Android.
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. Freshservice starts at $19/month.
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 Freshservice is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft Azure API Management do that Freshservice cannot?
Microsoft Azure API Management covers API Gateway, Developer Portal, API Policies, Azure services. Freshservice covers Incident management, Asset management, Change management, Knowledge base. Both handle AWS.

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