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APIs · head to head

Microsoft Azure API Management vs Gravitee

Microsoft Azure API Management logo

Microsoft Azure API Management

APIs

Hybrid, multi-cloud API management service on Azure

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Gravitee logo

Gravitee

APIs

Open source API management platform for event-native APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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; Gravitee the entry paid API management tier is $2,500 a month and includes a single production gateway
  • They diverge on capability: Microsoft Azure API Management covers API Policies, Gravitee covers Analytics Dashboard.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Microsoft Azure API Management and Gravitee differ
AttributeMicrosoft Azure API ManagementGravitee
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
PlatformsCloud, Hybrid, Multi-cloudCloud, On-premise, Kubernetes
Founded19752015

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (APIs).

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 Policies
  • Azure services
  • AWS
  • Google Cloud
  • On-premises
  • Hybrid support
  • Multi-cloud support

Only in Gravitee

  • Analytics Dashboard
  • Kubernetes
  • Docker
  • Kafka
  • LDAP
  • On-premise support
  • Kubernetes support

Both cover

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

Gravitee

  • API gateway and lifecycle managementnot Microsoft Azure API Management
  • Exposing Kafka event streams as managed APIsnot Microsoft Azure API Management
  • Protocol mediation between event brokers and clientsnot Microsoft Azure API Management
  • Self-hosting an open source API gatewaynot Microsoft Azure API Management
  • Access control and authentication in front of internal APIsnot 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

Gravitee

  • The entry paid API management tier is $2,500 a month and includes a single production gateway
  • Event management is priced separately, starting at $1,250 a month for the Comet tier
  • Tiers are gated on gateway and broker counts, so scaling horizontally means moving tier rather than paying incrementally
  • Data logging masking and other enterprise features are withheld from the lowest paid tier
  • 24/7 support requires the top Universe tier

Pricing, plan by plan

Microsoft Azure API Management

Free
  • ConsumptionFree
    • 0-1 million API operations free monthly per subscription
  • Basic v2$undefined/mo
    • 10 million API requests included monthly
  • Standard v2$undefined/mo
    • 50 million API requests included monthly
  • Premium v2$undefined/mo
    • Unlimited included API requests

Gravitee

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • API Gateway
    • Basic analytics
    • Community support
  • Enterprise$1500/monthly
    • Advanced features
    • SLA support
    • SSO integration
  • Custom$undefined/monthly
    • Custom deployment
    • Dedicated support
    • Premium SLA

Which should you pick?

Choose Microsoft Azure API Management if

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

Choose Gravitee if

  • You need analytics dashboard.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Cloud, On-premise, Kubernetes.
  • You also want kubernetes.
Gravitee review

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft Azure API Management or Gravitee better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Azure API Management starts at Free and Gravitee at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Azure API Management or Gravitee?
Microsoft Azure API Management starts at Free and Gravitee at Free.
Does Microsoft Azure API Management or Gravitee run on more platforms?
Microsoft Azure API Management runs on Cloud, Hybrid, Multi-cloud. Gravitee runs on Cloud, On-premise, Kubernetes.
Can I use Microsoft Azure API Management for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Gravitee is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft Azure API Management do that Gravitee cannot?
Microsoft Azure API Management covers API Policies, Azure services, AWS, Google Cloud. Gravitee covers Analytics Dashboard, Kubernetes, Docker, Kafka. Both handle API Gateway, Developer Portal, Cloud support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Microsoft Azure API Management: Is Azure API Management free?

Azure API Management offers a Consumption tier with a free tier that includes 0-1 million API operations per subscription monthly at no cost, then charges per operation beyond that. Classic Consumption tier is pay-as-you-go billing.

Source
Gravitee: What is Gravitee's pricing model?

Gravitee uses a tiered subscription model with monthly flat pricing. The Planet tier for API Management starts at $2,500/month with one production gateway, while the Comet tier for Event Management starts at $1,250/month.

Source
Microsoft Azure API Management: What are the API request limits for Azure API Management's v2 tiers?

Basic v2 includes 10 million API requests monthly, Standard v2 includes 50 million monthly, and Premium v2 includes unlimited API requests. Additional requests beyond included amounts incur standard rates.

Source
Gravitee: Are there hidden fees with Gravitee?

No. Gravitee explicitly states there are no hidden fees, and all tiers include unlimited users and unlimited APIs under management.

Source
Microsoft Azure API Management: What cache capacity does each Azure API Management tier provide?

Basic v2 provides 250 MB built-in cache, Standard v2 provides 1 GB cache, and Premium v2 provides 5 GB cache capacity for response caching.

Source
Gravitee: What does higher tier pricing include in Gravitee?

Higher tiers add more production gateways, enterprise plugins, and enhanced support levels ranging from Gold to Platinum/Diamond support.

Source
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