Softwr

Software · head to head

Microsoft Azure API Management vs Stoplight

Microsoft Azure API Management logo

Microsoft Azure API Management

Software

Hybrid, multi-cloud API management service on Azure

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Stoplight logo

Stoplight

Software

API design, documentation, and governance platform

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; Stoplight the free plan allows one project and one user
  • They diverge on capability: Microsoft Azure API Management covers API Gateway, Stoplight covers API Design.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Microsoft Azure API Management and Stoplight differ
AttributeMicrosoft Azure API ManagementStoplight
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
PlatformsCloud, Hybrid, Multi-cloudWeb, Cloud
Founded19752014

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 Microsoft Azure API Management

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

Only in Stoplight

  • API Design
  • API Documentation
  • Governance
  • GitHub
  • GitLab
  • Jenkins
  • Azure DevOps
  • Web support

Both cover

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

Stoplight

  • Designing and documenting OpenAPI specifications visuallynot Microsoft Azure API Management
  • Serving interactive API docs and instant mock servers from a specnot 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

Stoplight

  • The free plan allows one project and one user
  • Private projects, multi branch support and custom domains start at the Startup plan, $113 a month billed annually
  • SSO and shared style guides are Pro Team only, at $362 a month billed annually
  • Seats beyond each plan's allowance are $11 to $27 each per month depending on tier and billing period

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

Stoplight

Free
  • FreeFree
    • API design
    • Documentation
    • Community support
  • Pro$75/monthly
    • Governance
    • Advanced testing
    • Team collaboration
  • Enterprise$undefined/monthly
    • Custom deployment
    • SLA
    • Priority 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 Stoplight if

  • You need api design.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Cloud.
  • You also want api documentation.
Stoplight review

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft Azure API Management or Stoplight better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Azure API Management starts at Free and Stoplight 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 Stoplight?
Microsoft Azure API Management starts at Free and Stoplight at Free.
Does Microsoft Azure API Management or Stoplight run on more platforms?
Microsoft Azure API Management runs on Cloud, Hybrid, Multi-cloud. Stoplight runs on Web, Cloud.
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 Stoplight is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft Azure API Management do that Stoplight cannot?
Microsoft Azure API Management covers API Gateway, Developer Portal, API Policies, Azure services. Stoplight covers API Design, API Documentation, Governance, GitHub. Both handle Cloud support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Microsoft Azure API Management

More on Stoplight

Keep looking

Other head to heads