Head-to-head · API Gateway Software
Kong Gateway vs Tyk Gateway
Kong Gateway 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 scoreKong Gateway · 8.4/10
- Free planboth
- Free trialboth
Kong Gateway scores higher on our rubric for api gateway software: 8.4 against 7.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #11 and #22.
Kong Gateway is the better fit for flexible hybrid deployments and Kubernetes teams. Tyk Gateway is the better fit for teams wanting open-source gateway flexibility.
- Kong Gateway fits best
Flexible hybrid deployments and Kubernetes teams
- Tyk Gateway fits best
Teams wanting open-source gateway flexibility
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Side by side
| Feature | Kong Gateway 8.4/10 Visit ↗ | Tyk Gateway 7.3/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.4 | 7.3 |
| Ranking | #11 in API Gateway Software | #22 in API Gateway Software |
| Best for | Flexible hybrid deployments and Kubernetes teams | Teams wanting open-source gateway flexibility |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | — | — |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | 30 days | 2 days |
| Free trial length | 30 days · no card needed | 2 days · no card needed |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Support | Email, Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7 | Email, Phone, Community, Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Kong Gateway 2/2 · Tyk Gateway 2/2 | ||
| Rate limiting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Request transformation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Deployment model | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Supported protocols | REST, HTTP, Kafka, WebSockets, gRPC, GraphQL, UDP, TCP, TLS | REST, SOAP, GraphQL, gRPC, TCP, HTTP/HTTPS, WebSockets, Server-Sent Events (SSE) |
| Authentication methods | Basic Auth, HMAC, JWT, Key Auth, LDAP, mutual TLS, OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, SAML, Vault | API keys, bearer tokens, JWT, OIDC, Basic Auth, client certificates, mTLS, custom plugins |
| Monthly request limit | 1e+06 requests/mo | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
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| 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 → |
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 → |
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
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
- 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 → - 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 →
All API gateway software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update