Head-to-head · API Management Software
Amazon API Gateway vs Kong Konnect
Amazon API Gateway leads on 0 checks, Kong Konnect on 0, and 7 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreAmazon API Gateway · 8.9/10
- Free trialonly Kong Konnect
- Most featuresKong Konnect · 6 of 6
Amazon API Gateway scores higher on our rubric for api management software: 8.9 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #6.
On deployment model, Kong Konnect gives you Hybrid where Amazon API Gateway offers Cloud.
Amazon API Gateway is the better fit for AWS-native teams prioritizing low request costs. Kong Konnect is the better fit for flexible cloud and self-hosted gateway teams.
- Amazon API Gateway fits best
AWS-native teams prioritizing low request costs
- Kong Konnect fits best
Flexible cloud and self-hosted gateway teams
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Side by side
| Feature | Amazon API Gateway 8.9/10 Visit ↗ | Kong Konnect 8.7/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.9 | 8.7 |
| Ranking | #4 in API Management Software | #6 in API Management Software |
| Best for | AWS-native teams prioritizing low request costs | Flexible cloud and self-hosted gateway teams |
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | — | $25/unit/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | 30 days |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Docs, Community | Email, Live chat, Tickets, Docs |
| Compliance | SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS | SSO/SAML, 2FA |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Amazon API Gateway 0/6 · Kong Konnect 6/6 | ||
| Developer portal | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Lifecycle management | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Access policies | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| API analytics | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| API catalog | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| API product management | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Specs | ||
| Deployment model | Cloud | Hybrid |
| Our review | ||
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Amazon API Gateway is a fully managed cloud service for creating, publishing, securing, monitoring, and operating HTTP, REST, and WebSocket APIs. It fits API developers and organizations exposing backend functionality to internal… Read the review → |
Kong Konnect is a cloud-managed API management platform for organizations that need to build, operate, discover, govern, and publish APIs. It combines a hosted control plane with Kong-managed or customer-hosted data planes, supporting… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Amazon API Gateway — where it wins
- HTTP, REST, and WebSocket API support
- IAM, JWT, Cognito, authorizers, API keys, and mutual TLS
- Deep integrations across AWS services and CloudWatch
Where it doesn't
- REST APIs cost more than HTTP APIs
- Data transfer and connection minutes can add separate charges
- Narrower lifecycle, catalog, and product-management coverage
Kong Konnect — where it wins
- Supports hosted, hybrid, dedicated cloud, serverless, and self-hosted data planes
- Combines developer portals, API catalogs, products, policies, and analytics
- Offers a 30-day trial with enterprise functionality and no Gateway limits
Where it doesn't
- There is no permanent free plan
- Plus pricing varies by gateway resource and usage components
- Advanced deployments reach $200 or $500 per control plane monthly
- Amazon API Gateway8.9/10 · Paid
A cost-conscious AWS API gateway with broad infrastructure integrations and narrower product coverage.
Visit siteFull verdict → - Kong Konnect8.7/10 · 30-day trial
A flexible API management platform for teams balancing cloud, hybrid, and self-hosted gateways.
Visit Kong KonnectFull verdict →
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All API management software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update







