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API Management · head to head

Microsoft Azure API Management vs Paragon

Microsoft Azure API Management logo

Microsoft Azure API Management

API Management

Hybrid, multi-cloud API management service on Azure

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Paragon logo

Paragon

Automation & Integration

Embedded integration platform for SaaS

From
$299/month
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; Paragon no price is published for either plan, and both require a quote
  • They diverge on capability: Microsoft Azure API Management covers API Gateway, Paragon covers Embedded workflows.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Microsoft Azure API Management and Paragon differ
AttributeMicrosoft Azure API ManagementParagon
Starting priceFree$299/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsCloud, Hybrid, Multi-cloudWeb, Embedded
CategoryAPI ManagementAutomation & Integration
Founded19752021

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
  • AWS
  • Google Cloud
  • On-premises
  • Cloud support

Only in Paragon

  • Embedded workflows
  • Native integrations
  • Workflow builder
  • Error handling
  • Monitoring
  • Analytics
  • Webhooks
  • 500+ apps

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

Paragon

  • Embedding third party integrations into a SaaS productnot Microsoft Azure API Management
  • Managing customer facing connectors without building each onenot 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

Paragon

  • No price is published for either plan, and both require a quote
  • Cost scales with the number of customer tenants using the integrations, so the bill follows an end customer count rather than the vendor's own usage
  • SAML SSO, self hosting, dynamic field mapping and SLAs are all Enterprise only

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

Paragon

$299/month
  • Starter$299/month
    • 50 integrations
    • Basic support
  • Growth$999/month
    • 200 integrations
    • Priority support
  • Enterprise$5000/month
    • Unlimited integrations
    • Dedicated support

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 Paragon if

  • You need embedded workflows.
  • You work on Web, Embedded.
  • You also want native integrations.
Paragon review

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft Azure API Management or Paragon better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Azure API Management starts at Free and Paragon at $299/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Azure API Management or Paragon?
Microsoft Azure API Management has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Microsoft Azure API Management and $299/month for Paragon.
Does Microsoft Azure API Management or Paragon run on more platforms?
Microsoft Azure API Management runs on Cloud, Hybrid, Multi-cloud. Paragon runs on Web, Embedded.
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. Paragon starts at $299/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 Paragon is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft Azure API Management do that Paragon cannot?
Microsoft Azure API Management covers API Gateway, Developer Portal, API Policies, Azure services. Paragon covers Embedded workflows, Native integrations, Workflow builder, Error handling.
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