Softwr

APIs · head to head

WSO2 API Manager vs Zscaler Internet Access

WSO2 API Manager logo

WSO2 API Manager

APIs

Complete API management platform for designing and managing APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zscaler Internet Access logo

Zscaler Internet Access

Cybersecurity

Secure cloud-native internet and SaaS access

From
$100/year
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; Zscaler Internet Access the pricing page names two base tiers, Essentials Platform and Zscaler Platform, plus modular add ons including three Digital Experience Monitoring tiers, but publishes no dollar figures anywhere and routes buyers to a demo request for cost
  • They diverge on capability: WSO2 API Manager covers API Gateway, Zscaler Internet Access covers Secure web gateway.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which WSO2 API Manager and Zscaler Internet Access actually diverge.

Attributes where WSO2 API Manager and Zscaler Internet Access differ
AttributeWSO2 API ManagerZscaler Internet Access
Starting priceFree$100/year
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsJava, Linux, Docker, KubernetesWeb, Desktop, Mobile
CategoryAPIsCybersecurity
Founded20052007

Identical on both: 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
  • Keycloak
  • Microservices
  • Java support
  • Linux support

Only in Zscaler Internet Access

  • Secure web gateway
  • Cloud firewall
  • URL filtering
  • Advanced threat protection
  • Data loss prevention
  • Cloud sandbox
  • Browser isolation
  • CASB

Both cover

  • Okta

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

Zscaler Internet Access

  • Cloud Securitynot WSO2 API Manager
  • Zero Trustnot WSO2 API Manager
  • Web Securitynot 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

Zscaler Internet Access

  • The pricing page names two base tiers, Essentials Platform and Zscaler Platform, plus modular add ons including three Digital Experience Monitoring tiers, but publishes no dollar figures anywhere and routes buyers to a demo request for cost

Pricing, plan by plan

WSO2 API Manager

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

Zscaler Internet Access

$100/year
  • ZIA Business$100/year
    • Web security
    • URL filtering
    • Cloud firewall
  • ZIA Transformation$200/year
    • All Business features
    • Advanced threat protection
    • Cloud sandbox
  • ZIA Unlimited$350/year
    • All Transformation features
    • Cloud browser isolation
    • CASB

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 Zscaler Internet Access if

  • You need secure web gateway.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
  • You also want cloud firewall.
Zscaler Internet Access review

Questions people ask

Is WSO2 API Manager or Zscaler Internet Access better?
Neither clearly leads. WSO2 API Manager starts at Free and Zscaler Internet Access at $100/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, WSO2 API Manager or Zscaler Internet Access?
WSO2 API Manager has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for WSO2 API Manager and $100/year for Zscaler Internet Access.
Does WSO2 API Manager or Zscaler Internet Access run on more platforms?
WSO2 API Manager runs on Java, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes. Zscaler Internet Access runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
Can I use WSO2 API Manager for free?
Yes. WSO2 API Manager has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Zscaler Internet Access starts at $100/year.
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 Zscaler Internet Access is typically brought in for.
What can WSO2 API Manager do that Zscaler Internet Access cannot?
WSO2 API Manager covers API Gateway, API Designer, Developer Portal, LDAP. Zscaler Internet Access covers Secure web gateway, Cloud firewall, URL filtering, Advanced threat protection. Both handle Okta.

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
Zscaler Internet Access: How many pricing tiers does Zscaler Internet Access offer?

Zscaler Internet Access offers two main platform bundles: the Essentials Platform (entry-level) and the Zscaler Platform (comprehensive). Specific pricing is not published online.

Source
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
Zscaler Internet Access: Are there optional add-on modules available?

Yes. Zscaler offers extensive optional capabilities in five categories including Inline Cyberthreat Protection, Private Access enhancements, Data Security, Security Operations, and Zero Trust Branch.

Source
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
Zscaler Internet Access: How is Zscaler Zero Trust Branch priced?

Zero Trust Branch is sized by encrypted throughput (200 Mbps to 10 Gbps) or endpoint count (200 to 5,000 endpoints), with pricing varying by configuration.

Source
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
Zscaler Internet Access: How do I get Zscaler pricing?

Zscaler does not publish pricing online. You must request a demo or contact their sales team to receive a pricing quote.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on WSO2 API Manager

More on Zscaler Internet Access

Keep looking

Other head to heads