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APIs · head to head

WSO2 API Manager vs Zipkin

WSO2 API Manager logo

WSO2 API Manager

APIs

Complete API management platform for designing and managing APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zipkin logo

Zipkin

Cloud

Distributed tracing system for microservice latency

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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; Zipkin less active development and smaller community momentum than Jaeger
  • They diverge on capability: WSO2 API Manager covers API Gateway, Zipkin covers Trace collection and search.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where WSO2 API Manager and Zipkin differ
AttributeWSO2 API ManagerZipkin
Pricing modelopen-sourceOpen source, no licence fee
PlatformsJava, Linux, Docker, KubernetesLinux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted
CategoryAPIsCloud
Founded2005Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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
  • LDAP
  • Okta
  • Keycloak
  • Microservices
  • Java support

Only in Zipkin

  • Trace collection and search
  • Dependency diagram
  • Simple deployment
  • Pluggable storage

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 Zipkin
  • Running an API developer portal with subscription key managementnot Zipkin
  • Self hosting an open source API management layer on premisesnot Zipkin

Zipkin

  • Adding distributed tracing quickly without standing up heavy infrastructurenot WSO2 API Manager
  • Java and Spring Boot estates, where instrumentation support is long-establishednot WSO2 API Manager
  • Small deployments where Jaeger is more than the problem requiresnot 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

Zipkin

  • Less active development and smaller community momentum than Jaeger
  • Fewer features: sampling, storage options and UI are all more limited
  • The interface is dated and slower to work with on large trace volumes
  • Tracing alone still leaves metrics and logs in separate tools during an incident

Pricing, plan by plan

WSO2 API Manager

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

Zipkin

Free
  • ZipkinFree
    • Full functionality
    • No usage limits
    • Community support

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 Zipkin if

  • You need trace collection and search.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
  • You also want dependency diagram.
Zipkin review

Questions people ask

Is WSO2 API Manager or Zipkin better?
Neither clearly leads. WSO2 API Manager starts at Free and Zipkin at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, WSO2 API Manager or Zipkin?
WSO2 API Manager starts at Free and Zipkin at Free.
Does WSO2 API Manager or Zipkin run on more platforms?
WSO2 API Manager runs on Java, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes. Zipkin runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
Can I use WSO2 API Manager for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Zipkin is typically brought in for.
What can WSO2 API Manager do that Zipkin cannot?
WSO2 API Manager covers API Gateway, API Designer, Developer Portal, LDAP. Zipkin covers Trace collection and search, Dependency diagram, Simple deployment, Pluggable storage.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

WSO2 API Manager: How is WSO2 API Manager priced?

WSO2 API Manager pricing is not published on their website. As an enterprise API management platform, pricing is custom-quoted based on deployment model and organizational requirements.

Source
Zipkin: Is Zipkin free?

Yes, open source with no licence fee.

WSO2 API Manager: Does WSO2 API Manager offer different pricing for on-premises versus cloud deployments?

WSO2 API Manager supports multiple deployment options including on-premises and cloud, but pricing structures for different deployment models are not publicly disclosed.

Source
Zipkin: Zipkin or Jaeger?

Jaeger has more momentum, more features and CNCF backing. Zipkin is lighter and quicker to stand up, and remains well supported in the Java and Spring ecosystem.

WSO2 API Manager: What deployment flexibility does WSO2 API Manager provide?

WSO2 API Manager enables flexible deployment on-premises or in cloud environments, but specific pricing tiers for each deployment model require contacting WSO2 sales.

Source
Zipkin: Does Zipkin work with OpenTelemetry?

Yes. OpenTelemetry can export to Zipkin, which is now the usual way to instrument for it.

WSO2 API Manager: How would I request a WSO2 API Manager pricing quote?

Organizations can request pricing quotes by contacting WSO2 sales through their website. Custom quotes depend on API volume, deployment model, and feature requirements.

Source
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