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API Management · head to head

Tyk vs WSO2 API Manager

Tyk logo

Tyk

API Management

Open-source API gateway and API management platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
WSO2 API Manager logo

WSO2 API Manager

API Management

Complete API management platform for designing and managing APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Tyk no plan publishes a price, so every tier requires contacting sales; 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: Tyk covers Rate Limiting, WSO2 API Manager covers API Designer.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Tyk and WSO2 API Manager differ
AttributeTykWSO2 API Manager
PlatformsLinux, Docker, Kubernetes, CloudJava, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes
Founded20132005

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (open-source), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (API Management).

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 Tyk

  • Rate Limiting
  • Authentication
  • Kubernetes
  • Docker
  • AWS
  • Azure
  • Cloud support

Only in WSO2 API Manager

  • API Designer
  • Developer Portal
  • LDAP
  • Okta
  • Keycloak
  • Microservices
  • Java support

Both cover

  • API Gateway
  • Linux support
  • Docker support
  • Kubernetes support

What people use each for

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

Tyk

  • Running an open source API gateway self managed, hybrid or in the cloudnot WSO2 API Manager
  • Governing APIs across regulated or multi region environmentsnot WSO2 API Manager

WSO2 API Manager

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

Where each one falls short

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

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

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

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

WSO2 API Manager

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Tyk if

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

Choose WSO2 API Manager if

  • You need api designer.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Java, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes.
  • You also want developer portal.
WSO2 API Manager review

Questions people ask

Is Tyk or WSO2 API Manager better?
Neither clearly leads. Tyk 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, Tyk or WSO2 API Manager?
Tyk starts at Free and WSO2 API Manager at Free.
Does Tyk or WSO2 API Manager run on more platforms?
Tyk runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Cloud. WSO2 API Manager runs on Java, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes.
Can I use Tyk for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Tyk best used for?
Tyk is most often used for running an open source api gateway self managed, hybrid or in the cloud, governing apis across regulated or multi region environments. Of those, running an open source api gateway self managed, hybrid or in the cloud and governing apis across regulated or multi region environments are not what WSO2 API Manager is typically brought in for.
What can Tyk do that WSO2 API Manager cannot?
Tyk covers Rate Limiting, Authentication, Kubernetes, Docker. WSO2 API Manager covers API Designer, Developer Portal, LDAP, Okta. Both handle API Gateway, Linux support, Docker support, Kubernetes support.
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