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API Management · head to head

WSO2 API Manager vs Akana

WSO2 API Manager logo

WSO2 API Manager

API Management

Complete API management platform for designing and managing APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Akana logo

Akana

API Management

Enterprise API lifecycle management platform

From
$2500/monthly
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only WSO2 API Manager has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 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; Akana owned by Perforce and sold within their portfolio rather than independently, and akana.com redirects to perforce.com
  • They diverge on capability: WSO2 API Manager covers API Gateway, Akana covers API Lifecycle Management.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where WSO2 API Manager and Akana differ
AttributeWSO2 API ManagerAkana
Starting priceFree$2500/monthly
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsJava, Linux, Docker, KubernetesCloud, On-premise, Hybrid
Founded20052001

Identical on both: 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 WSO2 API Manager

  • API Gateway
  • API Designer
  • Developer Portal
  • Okta
  • Keycloak
  • Microservices
  • Java support
  • Linux support

Only in Akana

  • API Lifecycle Management
  • API Security
  • Governance Controls
  • OAuth
  • SAML
  • Active Directory
  • Cloud support
  • On-premise support

Both cover

  • LDAP

What people use each for

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

WSO2 API Manager

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

Akana

  • API lifecycle management across REST, SOAP and GraphQLnot WSO2 API Manager
  • Applying OAuth, JWT and SAML policies at the gatewaynot WSO2 API Manager
  • Running the same platform on-premises, in Kubernetes or across cloudsnot WSO2 API Manager
  • Developer portal and API monetisationnot WSO2 API Manager
  • Monitoring API traffic and enforcing quotasnot WSO2 API Manager

Where each one falls short

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

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

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

WSO2 API Manager

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

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 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

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 WSO2 API Manager or Akana better?
Neither clearly leads. WSO2 API Manager 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, WSO2 API Manager or Akana?
WSO2 API Manager has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for WSO2 API Manager and $2500/monthly for Akana.
Does WSO2 API Manager or Akana run on more platforms?
WSO2 API Manager runs on Java, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes. Akana runs on Cloud, On-premise, Hybrid.
Can I use WSO2 API Manager for free?
Yes. WSO2 API Manager has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Akana starts at $2500/monthly.
What is WSO2 API Manager best used for?
WSO2 API Manager is most often used for publishing, securing and rate limiting apis behind a gateway, running an api developer portal with subscription key management, self hosting an open source api management layer on premises. Of those, publishing, securing and rate limiting apis behind a gateway and running an api developer portal with subscription key management are not what Akana is typically brought in for.
What can WSO2 API Manager do that Akana cannot?
WSO2 API Manager covers API Gateway, API Designer, Developer Portal, Okta. Akana covers API Lifecycle Management, API Security, Governance Controls, OAuth. Both handle LDAP.
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