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API Management · head to head

Gravitee vs WSO2 API Manager

Gravitee logo

Gravitee

API Management

Open source API management platform for event-native APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
WSO2 API Manager logo

WSO2 API Manager

API Management

Complete API management platform for designing and managing APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Gravitee the entry paid API management tier is $2,500 a month and includes a single production gateway; 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: Gravitee covers Analytics Dashboard, WSO2 API Manager covers API Designer.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Gravitee and WSO2 API Manager differ
AttributeGraviteeWSO2 API Manager
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsCloud, On-premise, KubernetesJava, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes
Founded20152005

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 Gravitee

  • Analytics Dashboard
  • Kubernetes
  • Docker
  • Kafka
  • Cloud support
  • On-premise support

Only in WSO2 API Manager

  • API Designer
  • Okta
  • Keycloak
  • Microservices
  • Java support
  • Linux support
  • Docker support

Both cover

  • API Gateway
  • Developer Portal
  • LDAP
  • Kubernetes support

What people use each for

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

Gravitee

  • API gateway and lifecycle managementnot WSO2 API Manager
  • Exposing Kafka event streams as managed APIsnot WSO2 API Manager
  • Protocol mediation between event brokers and clientsnot WSO2 API Manager
  • Self-hosting an open source API gatewaynot WSO2 API Manager
  • Access control and authentication in front of internal APIsnot WSO2 API Manager

WSO2 API Manager

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

Where each one falls short

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

Gravitee

  • The entry paid API management tier is $2,500 a month and includes a single production gateway
  • Event management is priced separately, starting at $1,250 a month for the Comet tier
  • Tiers are gated on gateway and broker counts, so scaling horizontally means moving tier rather than paying incrementally
  • Data logging masking and other enterprise features are withheld from the lowest paid tier
  • 24/7 support requires the top Universe tier

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

Gravitee

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • API Gateway
    • Basic analytics
    • Community support
  • Enterprise$1500/monthly
    • Advanced features
    • SLA support
    • SSO integration
  • Custom$undefined/monthly
    • Custom deployment
    • Dedicated support
    • Premium SLA

WSO2 API Manager

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Gravitee if

  • You need analytics dashboard.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Cloud, On-premise, Kubernetes.
  • You also want kubernetes.
Gravitee review

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 okta.
WSO2 API Manager review

Questions people ask

Is Gravitee or WSO2 API Manager better?
Neither clearly leads. Gravitee 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, Gravitee or WSO2 API Manager?
Gravitee starts at Free and WSO2 API Manager at Free.
Does Gravitee or WSO2 API Manager run on more platforms?
Gravitee runs on Cloud, On-premise, Kubernetes. WSO2 API Manager runs on Java, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes.
Can I use Gravitee for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Gravitee best used for?
Gravitee is most often used for api gateway and lifecycle management, exposing kafka event streams as managed apis, protocol mediation between event brokers and clients, self-hosting an open source api gateway. Of those, api gateway and lifecycle management and exposing kafka event streams as managed apis are not what WSO2 API Manager is typically brought in for.
What can Gravitee do that WSO2 API Manager cannot?
Gravitee covers Analytics Dashboard, Kubernetes, Docker, Kafka. WSO2 API Manager covers API Designer, Okta, Keycloak, Microservices. Both handle API Gateway, Developer Portal, LDAP, Kubernetes support.
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