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Head-to-head · Kubernetes Ingress Controllers

Kong Ingress Controller vs Apache APISIX

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Kong Ingress Controller #3 in Kubernetes Ingress Controllers 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Kong
Apache APISIX #7 in Kubernetes Ingress Controllers 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Apache APISIX

Kong Ingress Controller leads on 0 checks, Apache APISIX on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreKong Ingress Controller · 9.1/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresKong Ingress Controller · 3 of 5

Kong Ingress Controller scores higher on our rubric for kubernetes ingress controllers: 9.1 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #7.

On deployment model, Kong Ingress Controller gives you Both where Apache APISIX offers Self-hosted.

Kong Ingress Controller is the better fit for kong-integrated Kubernetes API platforms. Apache APISIX is the better fit for open-source API gateway and ingress teams.

  • Kong Ingress Controller fits best

    Kong-integrated Kubernetes API platforms

  • Apache APISIX fits best

    Open-source API gateway and ingress 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 Ingress Controller 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Apache APISIX 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.7
Ranking #3 in Kubernetes Ingress Controllers #7 in Kubernetes Ingress Controllers
Best for Kong-integrated Kubernetes API platforms Open-source API gateway and ingress teams
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted, Cloud Self-hosted
Platforms Linux Linux
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Integrations 5 integrations 5 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Kong Ingress Controller 3/5 · Apache APISIX 0/5
TLS automation ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Canary routing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Rate limiting ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Web application firewall Not checked yet Not checked yet
Auth policies ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Ingress API model Both Not checked yet
Deployment model Both Self-hosted
Our review
Pros
  • Supports both Kubernetes Ingress and Gateway API resources
  • Combines routing, health checks, rate limiting, auth, and TLS handling
  • Connects with Kong Gateway, Konnect, Operator, and cert-manager
  • Kubernetes Ingress and Gateway API integration
  • 100+ gateway and AI plugins plus a built-in Dashboard UI
  • Supports HTTP, gRPC, MQTT, WebSocket, TCP, UDP, and HTTP/3
Cons
  • The Kong Canary Release plugin is not suitable for Kubernetes-native use
  • Its Kong ecosystem model may exceed simple ingress requirements
  • Custom plugins and broad policy controls suit platform teams more than casual use
  • Self-hosted deployment requires infrastructure ownership
  • Broad capabilities can increase configuration and governance effort
  • Not designed for teams seeking a fully managed ingress service
Our verdict

Kong Ingress Controller runs Kong Gateway in Kubernetes and translates Kubernetes Ingress, HTTPRoute, and other Gateway API resources into Kong Gateway configuration. It is designed for platform and infrastructure teams managing Kubernetes…

Read the review →

Apache APISIX is an open-source API and AI gateway for teams operating Kubernetes environments, APIs, microservices, and multi-protocol traffic. It combines dynamic routing, load balancing, authentication, configurable rate limiting,…

Read the review →
  1. Kong Ingress ControllerKubernetes Ingress Controllers 9.1Free plan
  2. Apache APISIXKubernetes Ingress Controllers 8.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Kong Ingress Controller — where it wins

    • Supports both Kubernetes Ingress and Gateway API resources
    • Combines routing, health checks, rate limiting, auth, and TLS handling
    • Connects with Kong Gateway, Konnect, Operator, and cert-manager

    Where it doesn't

    • The Kong Canary Release plugin is not suitable for Kubernetes-native use
    • Its Kong ecosystem model may exceed simple ingress requirements
    • Custom plugins and broad policy controls suit platform teams more than casual use

  • Apache APISIX — where it wins

    • Kubernetes Ingress and Gateway API integration
    • 100+ gateway and AI plugins plus a built-in Dashboard UI
    • Supports HTTP, gRPC, MQTT, WebSocket, TCP, UDP, and HTTP/3

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted deployment requires infrastructure ownership
    • Broad capabilities can increase configuration and governance effort
    • Not designed for teams seeking a fully managed ingress service

More comparisons

All kubernetes ingress controllers comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update