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Software · head to head

GitHub Actions vs WSO2 API Manager

GitHub Actions logo

GitHub Actions

Software

Automate your software workflows

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
WSO2 API Manager logo

WSO2 API Manager

Software

Complete API management platform for designing and managing APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: GitHub Actions private repository usage is capped at 2,000 minutes per month on GitHub Free and 3,000 on Pro and Team, with anything beyond billed; 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

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GitHub Actions and WSO2 API Manager actually diverge.

Attributes where GitHub Actions and WSO2 API Manager differ
AttributeGitHub ActionsWSO2 API Manager
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsWebJava, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes
Founded20082005

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 GitHub Actions

Nothing recorded that WSO2 API Manager does not also cover.

Only in WSO2 API Manager

  • API Gateway
  • API Designer
  • Developer Portal
  • LDAP
  • Okta
  • Keycloak
  • Microservices
  • Java support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

GitHub Actions

  • Running CI builds and tests on pushes and pull requestsnot WSO2 API Manager
  • Automating releases, container image builds and deployments from a repositorynot WSO2 API Manager
  • Scheduled maintenance jobs and repository automationnot WSO2 API Manager

WSO2 API Manager

  • Publishing, securing and rate limiting APIs behind a gatewaynot GitHub Actions
  • Running an API developer portal with subscription key managementnot GitHub Actions
  • Self hosting an open source API management layer on premisesnot GitHub Actions

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

GitHub Actions

  • Private repository usage is capped at 2,000 minutes per month on GitHub Free and 3,000 on Pro and Team, with anything beyond billed
  • Artifact storage is only 500 MB on GitHub Free and 2 GB on Team, and it is shared with GitHub Packages storage
  • Larger runners are always charged for, even on public repositories and even when plan quota remains
  • Windows runners cost $0.010 per minute against $0.006 for a 2-core Linux runner, so the same workflow costs more per platform
  • macOS runners are charged at a higher per-minute rate than Linux runners
  • Failed runs consume minutes, so a job that fails after 5 minutes and is re-run for 10 uses 15 minutes of quota
  • Storage is billed on hourly accrual in GB-Hours, so deleting artifacts stops future charges but does not remove charges already accrued in the cycle
  • Cache storage is a separate 10 GB per repository allowance and peak hourly usage above it is charged
  • Minutes are charged to the repository owner, not the person who triggered the run, and anyone with write access can trigger runs
  • Without a valid payment method on file, workflows are blocked as soon as the quota is exhausted

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

GitHub Actions

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the GitHub Actions review.

WSO2 API Manager

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Core API management
    • Community support
  • Commercial$undefined/monthly
    • Enterprise features
    • Technical support
    • SLA

Which should you pick?

Choose GitHub Actions if

  • You want to start without paying.
GitHub Actions review

Choose WSO2 API Manager if

  • You need api gateway.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Java, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes.
  • You also want api designer.
WSO2 API Manager review

Questions people ask

Is GitHub Actions or WSO2 API Manager better?
Neither clearly leads. GitHub Actions 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, GitHub Actions or WSO2 API Manager?
GitHub Actions starts at Free and WSO2 API Manager at Free.
Does GitHub Actions or WSO2 API Manager run on more platforms?
GitHub Actions runs on Web. WSO2 API Manager runs on Java, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes.
Can I use GitHub Actions for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is GitHub Actions best used for?
GitHub Actions is most often used for running ci builds and tests on pushes and pull requests, automating releases, container image builds and deployments from a repository, scheduled maintenance jobs and repository automation. Of those, running ci builds and tests on pushes and pull requests and automating releases, container image builds and deployments from a repository are not what WSO2 API Manager is typically brought in for.
What can GitHub Actions do that WSO2 API Manager cannot?
WSO2 API Manager covers API Gateway, API Designer, Developer Portal, LDAP.
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Related pages

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