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Software · head to head

Swagger/OpenAPI vs Akana

S

Swagger/OpenAPI

Software

API specification and documentation framework using OpenAPI standard

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Akana logo

Akana

Software

Enterprise API lifecycle management platform

From
$2500/monthly
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Swagger/OpenAPI has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Swagger/OpenAPI the OpenAPI Specification itself is licensed under Apache License 2.0 and free to use; SwaggerHub is a separate paid tool built on top of it; Akana owned by Perforce and sold within their portfolio rather than independently, and akana.com redirects to perforce.com
  • They diverge on capability: Swagger/OpenAPI covers OpenAPI Specification, Akana covers API Lifecycle Management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Swagger/OpenAPI and Akana actually diverge.

Attributes where Swagger/OpenAPI and Akana differ
AttributeSwagger/OpenAPIAkana
Starting priceFree$2500/monthly
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, CLI, DesktopCloud, On-premise, Hybrid

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2001).

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 Swagger/OpenAPI

  • OpenAPI Specification
  • Interactive Documentation
  • Code Generation
  • GitHub
  • GitLab
  • Jenkins
  • IDE plugins
  • Web support

Only in Akana

  • API Lifecycle Management
  • API Security
  • Governance Controls
  • OAuth
  • SAML
  • LDAP
  • Active Directory
  • Cloud support

What people use each for

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

Swagger/OpenAPI

  • API Developmentnot Akana
  • API Gatewaynot Akana
  • API Testingnot Akana
  • API Documentationnot Akana
  • Microservicesnot Akana

Akana

  • API lifecycle management across REST, SOAP and GraphQLnot Swagger/OpenAPI
  • Applying OAuth, JWT and SAML policies at the gatewaynot Swagger/OpenAPI
  • Running the same platform on-premises, in Kubernetes or across cloudsnot Swagger/OpenAPI
  • Developer portal and API monetisationnot Swagger/OpenAPI
  • Monitoring API traffic and enforcing quotasnot Swagger/OpenAPI

Where each one falls short

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

Swagger/OpenAPI

  • The OpenAPI Specification itself is licensed under Apache License 2.0 and free to use; SwaggerHub is a separate paid tool built on top of it

Akana

  • Owned by Perforce and sold within their portfolio rather than independently, and akana.com redirects to perforce.com
  • Pricing is not published; only a 30 day trial is offered

Pricing, plan by plan

Swagger/OpenAPI

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • OpenAPI specification
    • Community tools
  • SwaggerHub FreeFree
    • Cloud editor
    • API mocking
    • API testing
  • SwaggerHub Pro$75/monthly
    • Team collaboration
    • Advanced mocking
    • Analytics

Akana

$2500/monthly
  • Professional$2500/monthly
    • API Gateway
    • Developer Portal
    • Basic analytics
  • Enterprise$5000/monthly
    • Advanced governance
    • Multi-cloud support
    • Premium support
  • Custom$undefined/monthly
    • Custom solutions
    • Dedicated support
    • SLA guarantee

Which should you pick?

Choose Swagger/OpenAPI if

  • You need openapi specification.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, CLI, Desktop.
  • You also want interactive documentation.
Swagger/OpenAPI review

Choose Akana if

  • You need api lifecycle management.
  • You work on Cloud, On-premise, Hybrid.
  • You also want api security.
Akana review

Questions people ask

Is Swagger/OpenAPI or Akana better?
Neither clearly leads. Swagger/OpenAPI starts at Free and Akana at $2500/monthly, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Swagger/OpenAPI or Akana?
Swagger/OpenAPI has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Swagger/OpenAPI and $2500/monthly for Akana.
Does Swagger/OpenAPI or Akana run on more platforms?
Swagger/OpenAPI runs on Web, CLI, Desktop. Akana runs on Cloud, On-premise, Hybrid.
Can I use Swagger/OpenAPI for free?
Yes. Swagger/OpenAPI has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Akana starts at $2500/monthly.
What is Swagger/OpenAPI best used for?
Swagger/OpenAPI is most often used for api development, api gateway, api testing, api documentation. Of those, api development and api gateway are not what Akana is typically brought in for.
What can Swagger/OpenAPI do that Akana cannot?
Swagger/OpenAPI covers OpenAPI Specification, Interactive Documentation, Code Generation, GitHub. Akana covers API Lifecycle Management, API Security, Governance Controls, OAuth.
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