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Head-to-head · Kubernetes Ingress Controllers

Kong Ingress Controller vs kgateway

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 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
kgateway #6 in Kubernetes Ingress Controllers 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit kgateway

Kong Ingress Controller leads on 0 checks, kgateway on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 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 featureskgateway · 5 of 5

Kong Ingress Controller scores higher on our rubric for kubernetes ingress controllers: 9.1 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

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

Kong Ingress Controller is the better fit for kong-integrated Kubernetes API platforms. kgateway is the better fit for gateway API teams needing security controls.

  • Kong Ingress Controller fits best

    Kong-integrated Kubernetes API platforms

  • kgateway fits best

    Gateway API teams needing security controls

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Side by side

Feature Kong Ingress Controller 9.1/10 Visit ↗ kgateway 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.8
Ranking #3 in Kubernetes Ingress Controllers #6 in Kubernetes Ingress Controllers
Best for Kong-integrated Kubernetes API platforms Gateway API teams needing security controls
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted, Cloud Self-hosted
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Integrations 5 integrations 4 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Kong Ingress Controller 3/5 · kgateway 5/5
TLS automation ✓ ✓
Canary routing Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Rate limiting ✓ ✓
Web application firewall Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Auth policies ✓ ✓
Specs
Ingress API model Both Both
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
  • Free open-source Gateway API implementation
  • Weighted routing, canary splitting, and rate limiting
  • Authentication, TLS automation, and WAF support
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 a Kubernetes environment
  • Integration coverage centers on a focused set of platforms
  • No AI features are included
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 →

kgateway is an open-source Kubernetes-native ingress controller and API gateway for teams managing service, API, serverless, or legacy application traffic in Kubernetes. It implements the Kubernetes Gateway API and uses Envoy as its proxy…

Read the review →
  1. Kong Ingress ControllerKubernetes Ingress Controllers 9.1Free plan
  2. kgatewayKubernetes Ingress Controllers 8.8Free 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

  • kgateway — where it wins

    • Free open-source Gateway API implementation
    • Weighted routing, canary splitting, and rate limiting
    • Authentication, TLS automation, and WAF support

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted deployment requires a Kubernetes environment
    • Integration coverage centers on a focused set of platforms
    • No AI features are included
  • Kong Ingress Controller9.1/10 · Free plan

    A free, extensible choice for Kong-centered Kubernetes API platforms.

    Visit KongFull verdict →
  • kgateway8.8/10 · Free plan

    A focused open-source Gateway API gateway for teams needing routing, security, and traffic controls.

    Visit kgatewayFull verdict →

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