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API Management · head to head

Microsoft Azure API Management vs Swagger/OpenAPI

Microsoft Azure API Management logo

Microsoft Azure API Management

API Management

Hybrid, multi-cloud API management service on Azure

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
S

Swagger/OpenAPI

API Management

API specification and documentation framework using OpenAPI standard

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; Swagger/OpenAPI the OpenAPI Specification itself is licensed under Apache License 2.0 and free to use; SwaggerHub is a separate paid tool built on top of it
  • They diverge on capability: Microsoft Azure API Management covers API Gateway, Swagger/OpenAPI covers OpenAPI Specification.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Microsoft Azure API Management and Swagger/OpenAPI actually diverge.

Attributes where Microsoft Azure API Management and Swagger/OpenAPI differ
AttributeMicrosoft Azure API ManagementSwagger/OpenAPI
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
PlatformsCloud, Hybrid, Multi-cloudWeb, CLI, Desktop
Founded19752001

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

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 Swagger/OpenAPI

  • OpenAPI Specification
  • Interactive Documentation
  • Code Generation
  • GitHub
  • GitLab
  • Jenkins
  • IDE plugins
  • Web 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 Swagger/OpenAPI
  • Throttling, keys and policies in front of backend servicesnot Swagger/OpenAPI
  • Developer portal for internal and partner APIsnot Swagger/OpenAPI
  • Hybrid deployments using self-hosted gatewaysnot Swagger/OpenAPI

Swagger/OpenAPI

  • API Developmentnot Microsoft Azure API Management
  • API Gatewaynot Microsoft Azure API Management
  • API Testingnot Microsoft Azure API Management
  • API Documentationnot Microsoft Azure API Management
  • Microservicesnot 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

Swagger/OpenAPI

  • The OpenAPI Specification itself is licensed under Apache License 2.0 and free to use; SwaggerHub is a separate paid tool built on top of it

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

Swagger/OpenAPI

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • OpenAPI specification
    • Community tools
  • SwaggerHub FreeFree
    • Cloud editor
    • API mocking
    • API testing
  • SwaggerHub Pro$75/monthly
    • Team collaboration
    • Advanced mocking
    • Analytics

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 Swagger/OpenAPI if

  • You need openapi specification.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, CLI, Desktop.
  • You also want interactive documentation.
Swagger/OpenAPI review

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft Azure API Management or Swagger/OpenAPI better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Azure API Management starts at Free and Swagger/OpenAPI 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 Swagger/OpenAPI?
Microsoft Azure API Management starts at Free and Swagger/OpenAPI at Free.
Does Microsoft Azure API Management or Swagger/OpenAPI run on more platforms?
Microsoft Azure API Management runs on Cloud, Hybrid, Multi-cloud. Swagger/OpenAPI runs on Web, CLI, Desktop.
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 Swagger/OpenAPI is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft Azure API Management do that Swagger/OpenAPI cannot?
Microsoft Azure API Management covers API Gateway, Developer Portal, API Policies, Azure services. Swagger/OpenAPI covers OpenAPI Specification, Interactive Documentation, Code Generation, GitHub.
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