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Software · head to head

Paragon vs WSO2 API Manager

Paragon logo

Paragon

Software

Embedded integration platform for SaaS

From
$299/month
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

  • Only WSO2 API Manager has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Paragon no price is published for either plan, and both require a quote; 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: Paragon covers Embedded workflows, WSO2 API Manager covers API Gateway.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Paragon and WSO2 API Manager differ
AttributeParagonWSO2 API Manager
Starting price$299/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, EmbeddedJava, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes
Founded20212005

Identical on both: 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 Paragon

  • Embedded workflows
  • Native integrations
  • Workflow builder
  • Error handling
  • Monitoring
  • Analytics
  • Webhooks
  • 500+ apps

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.

Paragon

  • Embedding third party integrations into a SaaS productnot WSO2 API Manager
  • Managing customer facing connectors without building each onenot WSO2 API Manager

WSO2 API Manager

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

Where each one falls short

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

Paragon

  • No price is published for either plan, and both require a quote
  • Cost scales with the number of customer tenants using the integrations, so the bill follows an end customer count rather than the vendor's own usage
  • SAML SSO, self hosting, dynamic field mapping and SLAs are all Enterprise only

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

Paragon

$299/month
  • Starter$299/month
    • 50 integrations
    • Basic support
  • Growth$999/month
    • 200 integrations
    • Priority support
  • Enterprise$5000/month
    • Unlimited integrations
    • Dedicated support

WSO2 API Manager

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Paragon if

  • You need embedded workflows.
  • You work on Web, Embedded.
  • You also want native integrations.
Paragon 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 Paragon or WSO2 API Manager better?
Neither clearly leads. Paragon starts at $299/month and WSO2 API Manager at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Paragon or WSO2 API Manager?
WSO2 API Manager has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $299/month for Paragon and Free for WSO2 API Manager.
Does Paragon or WSO2 API Manager run on more platforms?
Paragon runs on Web, Embedded. WSO2 API Manager runs on Java, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes.
Can I use WSO2 API Manager for free?
Yes. WSO2 API Manager has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Paragon starts at $299/month.
What is Paragon best used for?
Paragon is most often used for embedding third party integrations into a saas product, managing customer facing connectors without building each one. Of those, embedding third party integrations into a saas product and managing customer facing connectors without building each one are not what WSO2 API Manager is typically brought in for.
What can Paragon do that WSO2 API Manager cannot?
Paragon covers Embedded workflows, Native integrations, Workflow builder, Error handling. WSO2 API Manager covers API Gateway, API Designer, Developer Portal, LDAP.
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