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Head-to-head · Enterprise Service Bus Software

Mule ESB vs Red Hat 3scale API Management

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Mule ESB #2 in Enterprise Service Bus Software 9.1/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit MuleSoft
Red Hat 3scale API Management #7 in Enterprise Service Bus Software 7.9/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Red Hat

Mule ESB leads on 0 checks, Red Hat 3scale API Management on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMule ESB · 9.1/10
  • Free trialonly Mule ESB

Mule ESB scores higher on our rubric for enterprise service bus software: 9.1 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #7.

Mule ESB is the better fit for enterprises needing managed, hybrid integration. Red Hat 3scale API Management is the better fit for teams focused on API gateway management.

  • Mule ESB fits best

    Enterprises needing managed, hybrid integration

  • Red Hat 3scale API Management fits best

    Teams focused on API gateway management

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Side by side

Feature Mule ESB 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Red Hat 3scale API Management 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 7.9
Ranking #2 in Enterprise Service Bus Software #7 in Enterprise Service Bus Software
Best for Enterprises needing managed, hybrid integration Teams focused on API gateway management
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $2,000/mo Pricing on request
Free plan — Not checked yet
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web
Support Docs Tickets, Docs
Integrations 450+ integrations 1 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Mule ESB 0/4 · Red Hat 3scale API Management 0/4
Message transformation Not checked yet Not checked yet
Queue integration Not checked yet Not checked yet
High availability Not checked yet Not checked yet
Visual flow designer Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment model Not checked yet Hybrid
Protocol support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Routes and orchestrates integration flows with DataWeave transformations.
  • Supports cloud, hybrid, Runtime Fabric, and on-premises deployments.
  • Offers reusable and custom connectors, plus API gateway policy controls.
  • Enforces API traffic controls and access policies
  • Combines analytics, application plans, and usage-based pricing rules
  • Supports customizable developer portals and reusable API backends
Cons
  • The published starting price is $2,000/month with annual billing.
  • There is no free plan; the free trial lasts 30 days.
  • Current package pricing is not a standalone Mule ESB license.
  • ESB routing and transformation are not established features
  • Pricing requires contacting sales
  • Managed service ends June 30, 2027
Our verdict

Mule ESB, now documented as Mule runtime engine, is an integration runtime for connecting applications, services, APIs, databases, and devices. It is aimed at organizations that need to route messages and transform data across cloud and…

Read the review →

Red Hat 3scale API Management helps organizations manage internal and external APIs, with capabilities for gateway enforcement, access policies, analytics, monetization, and developer workflows. It is aimed at mid-market and enterprise…

Read the review →
  1. Mule ESBEnterprise Service Bus Software 9.130-day trial
  2. Red Hat 3scale API ManagementEnterprise Service Bus Software 7.9Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Mule ESB — where it wins

    • Routes and orchestrates integration flows with DataWeave transformations.
    • Supports cloud, hybrid, Runtime Fabric, and on-premises deployments.
    • Offers reusable and custom connectors, plus API gateway policy controls.

    Where it doesn't

    • The published starting price is $2,000/month with annual billing.
    • There is no free plan; the free trial lasts 30 days.
    • Current package pricing is not a standalone Mule ESB license.

  • Red Hat 3scale API Management — where it wins

    • Enforces API traffic controls and access policies
    • Combines analytics, application plans, and usage-based pricing rules
    • Supports customizable developer portals and reusable API backends

    Where it doesn't

    • ESB routing and transformation are not established features
    • Pricing requires contacting sales
    • Managed service ends June 30, 2027
  • Mule ESB9.1/10 · 30-day trial

    A flexible integration runtime for hybrid estates, with a substantial annual starting price.

    Visit MuleSoftFull verdict →
  • Red Hat 3scale API Management7.9/10 · Pricing on request

    A gateway-focused API management product, not a verified full ESB feature set.

    Visit Red HatFull verdict →

More comparisons

All enterprise service bus software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update