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Head-to-head · API Gateway Software

Apache APISIX vs Higress

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Apache APISIX #3 in API Gateway Software 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Apache APISIX
Higress #23 in API Gateway Software 7.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Higress

Apache APISIX leads on 0 checks, Higress on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreApache APISIX · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth

Apache APISIX scores higher on our rubric for api gateway software: 9.2 against 7.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #23.

On deployment model, Higress gives you Hybrid where Apache APISIX offers Self-hosted.

Apache APISIX is the better fit for open-source teams wanting broad protocol support. Higress is the better fit for open-source Kubernetes and AI gateway teams.

  • Apache APISIX fits best

    Open-source teams wanting broad protocol support

  • Higress fits best

    Open-source Kubernetes and AI gateway teams

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Apache APISIX 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Higress 7.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 7.2
Ranking #3 in API Gateway Software #23 in API Gateway Software
Best for Open-source teams wanting broad protocol support Open-source Kubernetes and AI gateway teams
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Linux Web
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Integrations 5 integrations 8 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Apache APISIX 2/2 · Higress 2/2
Rate limiting ✓ ✓
Request transformation ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment model Self-hosted Hybrid
Supported protocols HTTP, HTTPS, TCP, UDP, WebSocket, gRPC, MQTT, HTTP/3, Dubbo HTTP, HTTP2, HTTPS, GRPC, GRPCS, TCP, Dubbo
Authentication methods API key, JWT, Basic Authentication, OAuth 2.0/OpenID Connect, HMAC, LDAP, CAS, Keycloak, Casdoor, forward authentication, multi-auth Key Auth, HMAC Auth, JWT Auth, Basic Auth, OAuth2, OIDC, External Auth, OPA
Monthly request limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Supports HTTP, TCP, UDP, WebSocket, gRPC, MQTT, HTTP/3, and Dubbo
  • Includes routing, load balancing, authentication, rate limiting, and transformations
  • Offers Kubernetes integration, a dashboard, and 100+ gateway and AI plugins
  • Supports Kubernetes Ingress and Gateway API routing
  • Combines WAF, authentication, rate limiting, and transformations
  • Adds AI gateway functions for model APIs, MCP tools, and token control
Cons
  • Deployment is self-hosted rather than vendor-hosted
  • Linux is the listed operating-system platform
  • Its broad configuration and plugin surface may require dedicated technical ownership
  • Requires teams to manage an open-source deployment
  • Its broad feature set may exceed simpler gateway needs
  • AI gateway capabilities are tied to Higress's broader gateway scope
Our verdict

Apache APISIX is an open-source API and AI gateway for teams operating APIs, microservices, and multi-protocol traffic in cloud-native environments. It is designed for self-hosted deployment on Linux and supports traditional, decoupled,…

Read the review →

Higress is an open-source API gateway for teams managing Kubernetes traffic, APIs, microservices, security controls, and AI gateway workloads. It can run independently with Docker or in Kubernetes, with web, API, and self-hosted access.…

Read the review →
  1. Apache APISIXAPI Gateway Software 9.2Free plan
  2. HigressAPI Gateway Software 7.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Apache APISIX — where it wins

    • Supports HTTP, TCP, UDP, WebSocket, gRPC, MQTT, HTTP/3, and Dubbo
    • Includes routing, load balancing, authentication, rate limiting, and transformations
    • Offers Kubernetes integration, a dashboard, and 100+ gateway and AI plugins

    Where it doesn't

    • Deployment is self-hosted rather than vendor-hosted
    • Linux is the listed operating-system platform
    • Its broad configuration and plugin surface may require dedicated technical ownership

  • Higress — where it wins

    • Supports Kubernetes Ingress and Gateway API routing
    • Combines WAF, authentication, rate limiting, and transformations
    • Adds AI gateway functions for model APIs, MCP tools, and token control

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires teams to manage an open-source deployment
    • Its broad feature set may exceed simpler gateway needs
    • AI gateway capabilities are tied to Higress's broader gateway scope

More comparisons

All API gateway software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update