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Head-to-head · API Gateway Software

Apache APISIX vs Kong Gateway

  • 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
Kong Gateway #11 in API Gateway Software 8.4/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Kong Gateway

Apache APISIX leads on 0 checks, Kong Gateway 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 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #11.

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

Apache APISIX is the better fit for open-source teams wanting broad protocol support. Kong Gateway is the better fit for flexible hybrid deployments and Kubernetes teams.

  • Apache APISIX fits best

    Open-source teams wanting broad protocol support

  • Kong Gateway fits best

    Flexible hybrid deployments and Kubernetes teams

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Apache APISIX 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Kong Gateway 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.4
Ranking #3 in API Gateway Software #11 in API Gateway Software
Best for Open-source teams wanting broad protocol support Flexible hybrid deployments and Kubernetes teams
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Linux Web
Support Community, Docs Email, Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7
Integrations 5 integrations 10 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Apache APISIX 2/2 · Kong Gateway 2/2
Rate limiting ✓ ✓
Request transformation ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment model Self-hosted Hybrid
Supported protocols HTTP, HTTPS, TCP, UDP, WebSocket, gRPC, MQTT, HTTP/3, Dubbo REST, HTTP, Kafka, WebSockets, gRPC, GraphQL, UDP, TCP, TLS
Authentication methods API key, JWT, Basic Authentication, OAuth 2.0/OpenID Connect, HMAC, LDAP, CAS, Keycloak, Casdoor, forward authentication, multi-auth Basic Auth, HMAC, JWT, Key Auth, LDAP, mutual TLS, OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, SAML, Vault
Monthly request limit Not published 1e+06 requests/mo
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 REST, Kafka, WebSockets, gRPC, GraphQL, UDP, TCP, and TLS
  • Combines routing, authentication, rate limiting, transformations, and load balancing
  • Offers open-source, self-managed, hybrid, and managed cloud deployment options
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
  • Plus uses metered gateway and request charges rather than one fixed listed price
  • The Free trial retains analytics for 30 days
  • Dedicated support and customer success are listed for Enterprise
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 →

Kong Gateway is a cloud-native API gateway and reverse proxy for configuring, routing, securing, and observing APIs and microservices. It is aimed at platform teams, developers, and enterprises managing services across Kubernetes,…

Read the review →
  1. Apache APISIXAPI Gateway Software 9.2Free plan
  2. Kong GatewayAPI Gateway Software 8.4Free plan · 30-day trial

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

  • Kong Gateway — where it wins

    • Supports REST, Kafka, WebSockets, gRPC, GraphQL, UDP, TCP, and TLS
    • Combines routing, authentication, rate limiting, transformations, and load balancing
    • Offers open-source, self-managed, hybrid, and managed cloud deployment options

    Where it doesn't

    • Plus uses metered gateway and request charges rather than one fixed listed price
    • The Free trial retains analytics for 30 days
    • Dedicated support and customer success are listed for Enterprise

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