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Software · head to head

Swagger/OpenAPI vs Tyk

S

Swagger/OpenAPI

Software

API specification and documentation framework using OpenAPI standard

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tyk logo

Tyk

Software

Open-source API gateway and API management platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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; Tyk no plan publishes a price, so every tier requires contacting sales
  • They diverge on capability: Swagger/OpenAPI covers OpenAPI Specification, Tyk covers API Gateway.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Swagger/OpenAPI and Tyk differ
AttributeSwagger/OpenAPITyk
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsWeb, CLI, DesktopLinux, Docker, Kubernetes, Cloud
Founded20012013

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 Swagger/OpenAPI

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

Only in Tyk

  • API Gateway
  • Rate Limiting
  • Authentication
  • Kubernetes
  • Docker
  • AWS
  • Azure
  • Linux support

What people use each for

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

Swagger/OpenAPI

  • API Developmentnot Tyk
  • API Gatewaynot Tyk
  • API Testingnot Tyk
  • API Documentationnot Tyk
  • Microservicesnot Tyk

Tyk

  • Running an open source API gateway self managed, hybrid or in the cloudnot Swagger/OpenAPI
  • Governing APIs across regulated or multi region environmentsnot 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

Tyk

  • No plan publishes a price, so every tier requires contacting sales
  • Multi region and multi cloud deployment are Enterprise only
  • Custom support SLAs and a named customer success manager are Enterprise only

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

Tyk

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Core gateway
    • Community support
  • Cloud Pro$100/monthly
    • Managed cloud
    • Analytics
    • API portal
  • Cloud Enterprise$500/monthly
    • Advanced features
    • Dedicated support
    • Custom SLA

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 Tyk if

  • You need api gateway.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Cloud.
  • You also want rate limiting.
Tyk review

Questions people ask

Is Swagger/OpenAPI or Tyk better?
Neither clearly leads. Swagger/OpenAPI starts at Free and Tyk at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Swagger/OpenAPI or Tyk?
Swagger/OpenAPI starts at Free and Tyk at Free.
Does Swagger/OpenAPI or Tyk run on more platforms?
Swagger/OpenAPI runs on Web, CLI, Desktop. Tyk runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Cloud.
Can I use Swagger/OpenAPI for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Tyk is typically brought in for.
What can Swagger/OpenAPI do that Tyk cannot?
Swagger/OpenAPI covers OpenAPI Specification, Interactive Documentation, Code Generation, GitHub. Tyk covers API Gateway, Rate Limiting, Authentication, Kubernetes.
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