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Head-to-head · API Gateway Software

Apache APISIX vs Tyk 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
Tyk Gateway #22 in API Gateway Software 7.3/10 Free plan · 2-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Tyk

Apache APISIX leads on 0 checks, Tyk 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
  • Free trialonly Tyk Gateway

Apache APISIX scores higher on our rubric for api gateway software: 9.2 against 7.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #22.

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

Apache APISIX is the better fit for open-source teams wanting broad protocol support. Tyk Gateway is the better fit for teams wanting open-source gateway flexibility.

  • Apache APISIX fits best

    Open-source teams wanting broad protocol support

  • Tyk Gateway fits best

    Teams wanting open-source gateway flexibility

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Side by side

Feature Apache APISIX 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Tyk Gateway 7.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 7.3
Ranking #3 in API Gateway Software #22 in API Gateway Software
Best for Open-source teams wanting broad protocol support Teams wanting open-source gateway flexibility
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 2 days
Deployment Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Linux Web
Support Community, Docs Email, Phone, Community, Docs
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Apache APISIX 2/2 · Tyk 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, SOAP, GraphQL, gRPC, TCP, HTTP/HTTPS, WebSockets, Server-Sent Events (SSE)
Authentication methods API key, JWT, Basic Authentication, OAuth 2.0/OpenID Connect, HMAC, LDAP, CAS, Keycloak, Casdoor, forward authentication, multi-auth API keys, bearer tokens, JWT, OIDC, Basic Auth, client certificates, mTLS, custom plugins
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 REST, SOAP, GraphQL, gRPC, TCP, and WebSockets
  • Combines routing, authentication, quotas, transformations, and analytics
  • Offers cloud, hybrid, and self-managed 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
  • The free trial lasts only 48 hours
  • Core and Professional plans do not include advanced enterprise features
  • Enterprise capabilities require the Enterprise plan
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 →

Tyk Gateway is an open-source API gateway for teams that need to expose, secure, route, and govern APIs. It is suited to startups, API teams, regulated organizations, and enterprises serving internal users, partners, or external consumers.…

Read the review →
  1. Apache APISIXAPI Gateway Software 9.2Free plan
  2. Tyk GatewayAPI Gateway Software 7.3Free plan · 2-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

  • Tyk Gateway — where it wins

    • Supports REST, SOAP, GraphQL, gRPC, TCP, and WebSockets
    • Combines routing, authentication, quotas, transformations, and analytics
    • Offers cloud, hybrid, and self-managed deployment options

    Where it doesn't

    • The free trial lasts only 48 hours
    • Core and Professional plans do not include advanced enterprise features
    • Enterprise capabilities require the Enterprise plan
  • Apache APISIX9.2/10 · Free plan

    A self-hosted gateway for teams needing broad protocol support and extensible traffic controls.

    Visit Apache APISIXFull verdict →
  • Tyk Gateway7.3/10 · Free plan · 2-day trial

    Flexible API gateway coverage with open-source deployment options and a short trial.

    Visit TykFull verdict →

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