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Software · head to head

Swagger/OpenAPI vs WSO2 API Manager

S

Swagger/OpenAPI

Software

API specification and documentation framework using OpenAPI standard

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: 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; 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: Swagger/OpenAPI covers OpenAPI Specification, WSO2 API Manager covers API Gateway.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Swagger/OpenAPI and WSO2 API Manager actually diverge.

Attributes where Swagger/OpenAPI and WSO2 API Manager differ
AttributeSwagger/OpenAPIWSO2 API Manager
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsWeb, CLI, DesktopJava, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes
Founded20012005

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 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.

Swagger/OpenAPI

  • API Developmentnot WSO2 API Manager
  • API Gatewaynot WSO2 API Manager
  • API Testingnot WSO2 API Manager
  • API Documentationnot WSO2 API Manager
  • Microservicesnot WSO2 API Manager

WSO2 API Manager

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

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

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

WSO2 API Manager

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Core API management
    • Community support
  • Commercial$undefined/monthly
    • Enterprise features
    • Technical support
    • 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 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 Swagger/OpenAPI or WSO2 API Manager better?
Neither clearly leads. Swagger/OpenAPI 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, Swagger/OpenAPI or WSO2 API Manager?
Swagger/OpenAPI starts at Free and WSO2 API Manager at Free.
Does Swagger/OpenAPI or WSO2 API Manager run on more platforms?
Swagger/OpenAPI runs on Web, CLI, Desktop. WSO2 API Manager runs on Java, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes.
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 WSO2 API Manager is typically brought in for.
What can Swagger/OpenAPI do that WSO2 API Manager cannot?
Swagger/OpenAPI covers OpenAPI Specification, Interactive Documentation, Code Generation, GitHub. WSO2 API Manager covers API Gateway, API Designer, Developer Portal, LDAP.
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