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Head-to-head · Rest Apis

Apache APISIX vs Red Hat 3scale API Management

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Apache APISIX #6 in Rest Apis 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Apache APISIX
Red Hat 3scale API Management #7 in Rest Apis 8.6/10 Pricing on request ✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Red Hat

Apache APISIX leads on 0 checks, Red Hat 3scale API Management on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 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 · 8.7/10
  • Free planonly Apache APISIX
  • Most featuresRed Hat 3scale API Management · 1 of 3

Apache APISIX scores higher on our rubric for rest apis: 8.7 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #7.

Apache APISIX is the better fit for teams comfortable operating a self-hosted API gateway. Red Hat 3scale API Management is the better fit for openShift-centered mid-market and enterprise teams.

  • Apache APISIX fits best

    Teams comfortable operating a self-hosted API gateway

  • Red Hat 3scale API Management fits best

    OpenShift-centered mid-market and enterprise 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 8.7/10 Visit ↗ Red Hat 3scale API Management 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.6
Ranking #6 in Rest Apis #7 in Rest Apis
Best for Teams comfortable operating a self-hosted API gateway OpenShift-centered mid-market and enterprise teams
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Free plan Pricing on request
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Linux Web
Support Community, Docs Tickets, Docs
Integrations 5 integrations 1 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Apache APISIX 0/3 · Red Hat 3scale API Management 1/3
API gateway Not checked yet Not checked yet
Developer portal Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Role-based access Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment Not checked yet Not checked yet
API spec support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Analytics retention Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Dynamic routing, load balancing, and configurable rate limiting
  • Supports HTTP, gRPC, WebSocket, MQTT, and other protocols
  • Kubernetes integration plus a built-in Dashboard UI
  • Enforces API traffic controls, access policies, and application plans
  • Combines analytics, API products, and monetization rules
  • Supports cloud, self-hosted, and hybrid deployment with OpenShift integration
Cons
  • Self-hosting puts deployment and operations on your team
  • Support channels are community and documentation
  • Its extensive plugin and configuration options may add complexity
  • Pricing is handled through contact with sales
  • The managed service is scheduled to end on June 30, 2027
  • Lifecycle-management terms may require planning for self-managed deployments
Our verdict

Apache APISIX is an open-source API and AI gateway for teams managing APIs, microservices, or traffic across multiple protocols. It is available as self-hosted software and combines dynamic routing, load balancing, authentication, rate…

Read the review →

Red Hat 3scale API Management helps organizations manage internal and external APIs, with capabilities for API providers and application developers. It is aimed at mid-market and enterprise teams that need to control API traffic, apply…

Read the review →
  1. Apache APISIXRest Apis 8.7Free plan
  2. Red Hat 3scale API ManagementRest Apis 8.6Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Apache APISIX — where it wins

    • Dynamic routing, load balancing, and configurable rate limiting
    • Supports HTTP, gRPC, WebSocket, MQTT, and other protocols
    • Kubernetes integration plus a built-in Dashboard UI

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosting puts deployment and operations on your team
    • Support channels are community and documentation
    • Its extensive plugin and configuration options may add complexity

  • Red Hat 3scale API Management — where it wins

    • Enforces API traffic controls, access policies, and application plans
    • Combines analytics, API products, and monetization rules
    • Supports cloud, self-hosted, and hybrid deployment with OpenShift integration

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is handled through contact with sales
    • The managed service is scheduled to end on June 30, 2027
    • Lifecycle-management terms may require planning for self-managed deployments
  • Apache APISIX8.7/10 · Free plan

    A free, self-hosted gateway with broad protocol support and configurable traffic controls.

    Visit Apache APISIXFull verdict →
  • Red Hat 3scale API Management8.6/10 · Pricing on request

    A hybrid API management platform with gateway controls, analytics, and OpenShift integration.

    Visit Red HatFull verdict →

More comparisons

All rest apis comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update