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API Management · head to head

Hasura vs Kong

Hasura logo

Hasura

API Management

GraphQL engine that instantly creates production-ready GraphQL API from databases

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Kong logo

Kong

API Management

Cloud-native API gateway and service connectivity platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Hasura database support limited to PostgreSQL, MongoDB, ClickHouse, and MS SQL Server only; Kong the Plus plan includes 1M API requests a month and charges $200 a month for each additional million
  • They diverge on capability: Hasura covers GraphQL API, Kong covers API Gateway.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hasura and Kong actually diverge.

Attributes where Hasura and Kong differ
AttributeHasuraKong
PlatformsWebLinux, Docker, Kubernetes
Founded20172010

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (open-source), 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 Hasura

  • GraphQL API
  • Real-time subscriptions
  • Access control
  • MySQL
  • Webhooks
  • REST APIs
  • Cloud support
  • Self-hosted support

Only in Kong

  • API Gateway
  • Authentication & Authorization
  • Rate Limiting
  • Kubernetes
  • Consul
  • Eureka
  • Linux support

Both cover

  • PostgreSQL
  • Docker support
  • Kubernetes support

What people use each for

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

Hasura

  • Automatic GraphQL API generation from existing databasesnot Kong
  • Real-time data subscriptions for modern applicationsnot Kong
  • Backend infrastructure for web and mobile applicationsnot Kong
  • Event-triggered webhooks for database changesnot Kong

Kong

  • Running an API gateway in front of internal and public servicesnot Hasura
  • Publishing and governing APIs through a developer portalnot Hasura

Where each one falls short

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

Hasura

  • Database support limited to PostgreSQL, MongoDB, ClickHouse, and MS SQL Server only

Kong

  • The Plus plan includes 1M API requests a month and charges $200 a month for each additional million
  • Plus is capped at 10M requests a month, so growth past that forces an Enterprise contract
  • Plus limits published APIs to 20 and includes one Developer Portal, with a second at $200 a month
  • SSO and audit logging are Enterprise only
  • Enterprise pricing is custom and billed annually

Pricing, plan by plan

Hasura

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Hasura review.

Kong

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Core API gateway
    • Community support
  • Enterprise$undefined/monthly
    • Advanced features
    • Priority support
    • SLA

Which should you pick?

Choose Hasura if

  • You need graphql api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want real-time subscriptions.
Hasura review

Choose Kong if

  • You need api gateway.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes.
  • You also want authentication & authorization.
Kong review

Questions people ask

Is Hasura or Kong better?
Neither clearly leads. Hasura starts at Free and Kong at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Hasura or Kong?
Hasura starts at Free and Kong at Free.
Does Hasura or Kong run on more platforms?
Hasura runs on Web. Kong runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes.
Can I use Hasura for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Hasura best used for?
Hasura is most often used for automatic graphql api generation from existing databases, real-time data subscriptions for modern applications, backend infrastructure for web and mobile applications, event-triggered webhooks for database changes. Of those, automatic graphql api generation from existing databases and real-time data subscriptions for modern applications are not what Kong is typically brought in for.
What can Hasura do that Kong cannot?
Hasura covers GraphQL API, Real-time subscriptions, Access control, MySQL. Kong covers API Gateway, Authentication & Authorization, Rate Limiting, Kubernetes. Both handle PostgreSQL, Docker support, Kubernetes support.
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