Software · head to head
Microsoft Azure API Management vs WSO2 API Manager
Microsoft Azure API Management
Software
Hybrid, multi-cloud API management service on Azure
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
WSO2 API Manager
Software
Complete API management platform for designing and managing APIs
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
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; WSO2 API Manager the free open source distribution does not include a subscription to the WSO2 Update service, so continuous improvements and security patches require a paid subscription
- They diverge on capability: Microsoft Azure API Management covers API Policies, WSO2 API Manager covers API Designer.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Microsoft Azure API Management and WSO2 API Manager actually diverge.
| Attribute | Microsoft Azure API Management | WSO2 API Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | subscription | open-source |
| Platforms | Cloud, Hybrid, Multi-cloud | Java, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes |
| Founded | 1975 | 2005 |
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 Policies
- Azure services
- AWS
- Google Cloud
- On-premises
- Cloud support
- Hybrid support
- Multi-cloud support
Only in WSO2 API Manager
- API Designer
- LDAP
- Okta
- Keycloak
- Microservices
- Java support
- Linux support
- Docker support
Both cover
- API Gateway
- Developer Portal
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 WSO2 API Manager
- Throttling, keys and policies in front of backend servicesnot WSO2 API Manager
- Developer portal for internal and partner APIsnot WSO2 API Manager
- Hybrid deployments using self-hosted gatewaysnot WSO2 API Manager
WSO2 API Manager
- Publishing, securing and rate limiting APIs behind a gatewaynot Microsoft Azure API Management
- Running an API developer portal with subscription key managementnot Microsoft Azure API Management
- Self hosting an open source API management layer on premisesnot 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
WSO2 API Manager
- The free open source distribution does not include a subscription to the WSO2 Update service, so continuous improvements and security patches require a paid subscription
- A commercial production licence is not part of the free download and comes only with a subscription
- No subscription price is published; Basic Support and Enterprise Support both require contacting sales for a quote
- 24x7x365 coverage requires Enterprise Support; the general query SLA is one business day
- A Customer Success Manager is a paid optional add on covering business hours only
- Consulting services and WSO2 Private Cloud hosting are quoted separately
Pricing, plan by plan
Microsoft Azure API Management
Free- FreeFree
- 1M calls/month
- Community support
- Developer$50/monthly
- 10M calls/month
- Email support
- Premium$500/monthly
- Unlimited calls
- Priority support
- SLA
WSO2 API Manager
Free- CommunityFree
- Core API management
- Community support
- Commercial$undefined/monthly
- Enterprise features
- Technical support
- 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.
Choose WSO2 API Manager if
- You need api designer.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Java, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes.
- You also want ldap.
Questions people ask
- Is Microsoft Azure API Management or WSO2 API Manager better?
- Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Azure API Management starts at Free and WSO2 API Manager 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 WSO2 API Manager?
- Microsoft Azure API Management starts at Free and WSO2 API Manager at Free.
- Does Microsoft Azure API Management or WSO2 API Manager run on more platforms?
- Microsoft Azure API Management runs on Cloud, Hybrid, Multi-cloud. WSO2 API Manager runs on Java, Linux, Docker, 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 WSO2 API Manager is typically brought in for.
- What can Microsoft Azure API Management do that WSO2 API Manager cannot?
- Microsoft Azure API Management covers API Policies, Azure services, AWS, Google Cloud. WSO2 API Manager covers API Designer, LDAP, Okta, Keycloak. Both handle API Gateway, Developer Portal.