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API Management · head to head

HTTPie vs WSO2 API Manager

HTTPie logo

HTTPie

API Management

Command-line HTTP client with intuitive interface and syntax

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: HTTPie the desktop application is in public beta rather than a finished release; 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: HTTPie covers REST Client, WSO2 API Manager covers API Gateway.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where HTTPie and WSO2 API Manager differ
AttributeHTTPieWSO2 API Manager
PlatformsLinux, MacOS, Windows, WebJava, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes
Founded20122005

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 HTTPie

  • REST Client
  • JSON support
  • Colored output
  • CI/CD
  • Shell scripting
  • Automation
  • MacOS support
  • Windows support

Only in WSO2 API Manager

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

Both cover

  • Linux support

What people use each for

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

HTTPie

  • Sending and inspecting HTTP requests from the terminalnot WSO2 API Manager
  • A readable alternative to curl for API debuggingnot WSO2 API Manager
  • Testing APIs through a graphical clientnot WSO2 API Manager
  • Installing through apt, brew or pip in a development environmentnot WSO2 API Manager

WSO2 API Manager

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

Where each one falls short

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

HTTPie

  • The desktop application is in public beta rather than a finished release
  • Pricing for the desktop and web products is not published, while the terminal client is free and open source
  • The graphical versions are newer than the CLI, so parity between them is not guaranteed

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

HTTPie

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full HTTPie CLI
    • Community support
  • HTTPie for Web$10/monthly
    • Web interface
    • Cloud storage
    • Team collaboration

WSO2 API Manager

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

Which should you pick?

Choose HTTPie if

  • You need rest client.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, MacOS, Windows, Web.
  • You also want json support.
HTTPie 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 HTTPie or WSO2 API Manager better?
Neither clearly leads. HTTPie 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, HTTPie or WSO2 API Manager?
HTTPie starts at Free and WSO2 API Manager at Free.
Does HTTPie or WSO2 API Manager run on more platforms?
HTTPie runs on Linux, MacOS, Windows, Web. WSO2 API Manager runs on Java, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes.
Can I use HTTPie for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is HTTPie best used for?
HTTPie is most often used for sending and inspecting http requests from the terminal, a readable alternative to curl for api debugging, testing apis through a graphical client, installing through apt, brew or pip in a development environment. Of those, sending and inspecting http requests from the terminal and a readable alternative to curl for api debugging are not what WSO2 API Manager is typically brought in for.
What can HTTPie do that WSO2 API Manager cannot?
HTTPie covers REST Client, JSON support, Colored output, CI/CD. WSO2 API Manager covers API Gateway, API Designer, Developer Portal, LDAP. Both handle Linux support.
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