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Head-to-head · API Gateway Software

Kong Gateway vs Higress

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Kong Gateway #11 in API Gateway Software 8.4/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Kong Gateway
Higress #23 in API Gateway Software 7.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Higress

Kong Gateway 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 scoreKong Gateway · 8.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Kong Gateway

Kong Gateway scores higher on our rubric for api gateway software: 8.4 against 7.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #11 and #23.

Kong Gateway is the better fit for flexible hybrid deployments and Kubernetes teams. Higress is the better fit for open-source Kubernetes and AI gateway teams.

  • Kong Gateway fits best

    Flexible hybrid deployments and Kubernetes teams

  • 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 Kong Gateway 8.4/10 Visit ↗ Higress 7.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.4 7.2
Ranking #11 in API Gateway Software #23 in API Gateway Software
Best for Flexible hybrid deployments and Kubernetes teams Open-source Kubernetes and AI gateway teams
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price — Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web
Support Email, Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7 Community, Docs
Integrations 10 integrations 8 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Kong Gateway 2/2 · Higress 2/2
Rate limiting ✓ ✓
Request transformation ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment model Hybrid Hybrid
Supported protocols REST, HTTP, Kafka, WebSockets, gRPC, GraphQL, UDP, TCP, TLS HTTP, HTTP2, HTTPS, GRPC, GRPCS, TCP, Dubbo
Authentication methods Basic Auth, HMAC, JWT, Key Auth, LDAP, mutual TLS, OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, SAML, Vault Key Auth, HMAC Auth, JWT Auth, Basic Auth, OAuth2, OIDC, External Auth, OPA
Monthly request limit 1e+06 requests/mo Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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 →

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. Kong GatewayAPI Gateway Software 8.4Free plan · 30-day trial
  2. HigressAPI Gateway Software 7.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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

  • 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
  • Kong Gateway8.4/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

    A flexible gateway for Kubernetes, hybrid infrastructure, and multi-cloud API operations.

    Visit Kong GatewayFull verdict →
  • Higress7.2/10 · Free plan

    A broad open-source gateway for Kubernetes routing, security, service traffic, and AI APIs.

    Visit HigressFull verdict →

All API gateway software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update