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APIs · head to head

Microsoft Azure API Management vs Workato

Microsoft Azure API Management logo

Microsoft Azure API Management

APIs

Hybrid, multi-cloud API management service on Azure

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Workato logo

Workato

Automation Integration

The enterprise integration platform

From
$99/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; Workato the pricing page names four product lines, Enterprise iPaaS, Agentic solutions, API Management and Data Orchestration, and publishes no figure for any of them, gating all of it behind Schedule a demo
  • They diverge on capability: Microsoft Azure API Management covers API Gateway, Workato covers Process orchestration.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Microsoft Azure API Management and Workato differ
AttributeMicrosoft Azure API ManagementWorkato
Starting priceFree$99/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsCloud, Hybrid, Multi-cloudWeb, On-premise
CategoryAPIsAutomation Integration
Founded19752014

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 Workato

  • Process orchestration
  • Master data management
  • Integration templates
  • Real-time sync
  • Error handling
  • Monitoring
  • API management
  • Workflow analytics

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

Workato

  • Workflow Automationnot Microsoft Azure API Management
  • Data Integrationnot Microsoft Azure API Management
  • Process Automationnot Microsoft Azure API Management
  • App Integrationnot Microsoft Azure API Management
  • API Connectivitynot 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

Workato

  • The pricing page names four product lines, Enterprise iPaaS, Agentic solutions, API Management and Data Orchestration, and publishes no figure for any of them, gating all of it behind Schedule a demo

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

Workato

$99/month
  • Starter$99/month
    • Up to 50 recipes
    • Basic integrations
    • Email support
  • Professional$299/month
    • Unlimited recipes
    • Premium integrations
    • Priority support
  • Enterprise$999/month
    • Custom SLA
    • Dedicated support
    • Advanced security

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 Workato if

  • You need process orchestration.
  • You work on Web, On-premise.
  • You also want master data management.
Workato review

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft Azure API Management or Workato better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Azure API Management starts at Free and Workato at $99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Azure API Management or Workato?
Microsoft Azure API Management has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Microsoft Azure API Management and $99/month for Workato.
Does Microsoft Azure API Management or Workato run on more platforms?
Microsoft Azure API Management runs on Cloud, Hybrid, Multi-cloud. Workato runs on Web, On-premise.
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. Workato starts at $99/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 Workato is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft Azure API Management do that Workato cannot?
Microsoft Azure API Management covers API Gateway, Developer Portal, API Policies, Azure services. Workato covers Process orchestration, Master data management, Integration templates, Real-time sync. Both handle AWS.

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
Workato: How is Workato pricing structured?

Workato states their pricing is built for flexibility and designed to support organizations of all sizes and needs. However, specific tier costs, feature inclusions, and contract terms are not published on their website.

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
Workato: Can I see Workato's pricing without talking to sales?

No. Workato requires interested buyers to either request a demo, request a trial, or contact their sales team directly to discuss pricing.

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
Workato: Does Workato have a Predictable Pricing Commitment?

Yes, Workato mentions a Predictable Pricing Commitment, but the details are not visible on the main pricing page. You would need to contact them or visit the linked resource for details.

Source
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