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Software · head to head

Portkey vs WSO2 API Manager

P

Portkey

Software

Observe, govern, and secure every AI interaction across your enterprise

From
Free
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

  • Each has a real cost: Portkey the free Developer tier records only 10,000 logs per month with 3 day log retention; the $49 per month Production tier raises that to 100,000 logs with $9 per additional 100,000 requests, as of August 2026.; 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

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Portkey and WSO2 API Manager differ
AttributePortkeyWSO2 API Manager
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsWebJava, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes
FoundedUnknown2005

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Portkey

Nothing recorded that WSO2 API Manager does not also cover.

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.

Portkey

No use cases recorded yet. See the Portkey review.

WSO2 API Manager

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

Where each one falls short

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

Portkey

  • The free Developer tier records only 10,000 logs per month with 3 day log retention; the $49 per month Production tier raises that to 100,000 logs with $9 per additional 100,000 requests, as of August 2026.

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

Portkey

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Portkey review.

WSO2 API Manager

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Portkey if

  • You want to start without paying.
Portkey 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 Portkey or WSO2 API Manager better?
Neither clearly leads. Portkey 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, Portkey or WSO2 API Manager?
Portkey starts at Free and WSO2 API Manager at Free.
Does Portkey or WSO2 API Manager run on more platforms?
Portkey runs on Web. WSO2 API Manager runs on Java, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes.
Can I use Portkey for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What can Portkey do that WSO2 API Manager cannot?
WSO2 API Manager covers API Gateway, API Designer, Developer Portal, LDAP.
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