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API Management · head to head

Kong vs WSO2 API Manager

Kong logo

Kong

API Management

Cloud-native API gateway and service connectivity platform

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: Kong the Plus plan includes 1M API requests a month and charges $200 a month for each additional million; 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: Kong covers Authentication & Authorization, WSO2 API Manager covers API Designer.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Kong and WSO2 API Manager differ
AttributeKongWSO2 API Manager
PlatformsLinux, Docker, KubernetesJava, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes
Founded20102005

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 Kong

  • Authentication & Authorization
  • Rate Limiting
  • Kubernetes
  • Consul
  • Eureka
  • PostgreSQL

Only in WSO2 API Manager

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

Both cover

  • API Gateway
  • Linux support
  • Docker support
  • Kubernetes support

What people use each for

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

Kong

  • Running an API gateway in front of internal and public servicesnot WSO2 API Manager
  • Publishing and governing APIs through a developer portalnot WSO2 API Manager

WSO2 API Manager

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

Where each one falls short

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

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

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

Kong

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Core API gateway
    • Community support
  • Enterprise$undefined/monthly
    • Advanced features
    • 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 Kong if

  • You need authentication & authorization.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes.
  • You also want rate limiting.
Kong 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 developer portal.
WSO2 API Manager review

Questions people ask

Is Kong or WSO2 API Manager better?
Neither clearly leads. Kong 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, Kong or WSO2 API Manager?
Kong starts at Free and WSO2 API Manager at Free.
Does Kong or WSO2 API Manager run on more platforms?
Kong runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes. WSO2 API Manager runs on Java, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes.
Can I use Kong for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Kong best used for?
Kong is most often used for running an api gateway in front of internal and public services, publishing and governing apis through a developer portal. Of those, running an api gateway in front of internal and public services and publishing and governing apis through a developer portal are not what WSO2 API Manager is typically brought in for.
What can Kong do that WSO2 API Manager cannot?
Kong covers Authentication & Authorization, Rate Limiting, Kubernetes, Consul. WSO2 API Manager covers API Designer, Developer Portal, LDAP, Okta. Both handle API Gateway, Linux support, Docker support, Kubernetes support.
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