Apache APISIX
Apache APISIX: A self-hosted gateway for teams needing broad protocol support and extensible traffic controls. Ranked #3 of 29 in API Gateway Software by our editors (9.2/10); pricing: Free plan; best for open-source teams wanting broad protocol support.
At a glance
- Editor score9.2 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forOpen-source teams wanting broad protocol support
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Deployment modelSelf-hosted
- Founded2019
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Supports HTTP, TCP, UDP, WebSocket, gRPC, MQTT, HTTP/3, and Dubbo
- Includes routing, load balancing, authentication, rate limiting, and transformations
- Offers Kubernetes integration, a dashboard, and 100+ gateway and AI plugins
Where it doesn't
- Deployment is self-hosted rather than vendor-hosted
- Linux is the listed operating-system platform
- Its broad configuration and plugin surface may require dedicated technical ownership
Our verdict on Apache APISIX
Apache APISIX is an open-source API and AI gateway for teams operating APIs, microservices, and multi-protocol traffic in cloud-native environments. It is designed for self-hosted deployment on Linux and supports traditional, decoupled, and standalone deployment modes. Core capabilities include dynamic routing, load balancing, authentication plugins, configurable rate limiting, request and response transformation, observability, and a built-in Dashboard UI. It fits engineering teams that want control over gateway deployment and configuration rather than a vendor-hosted service.
Protocol coverage is a defining strength. Apache APISIX supports HTTP, HTTPS, TCP, UDP, WebSocket, gRPC, MQTT, HTTP/3, and Dubbo, giving teams one gateway for varied API and service traffic. Authentication options include API key, JWT, Basic Authentication, OAuth 2.0/OpenID Connect, HMAC, LDAP, CAS, Keycloak, Casdoor, forward authentication, and multi-auth. Kubernetes Ingress and Gateway API integration, plus Helm and Docker support, align it with containerized environments. Integrations with etcd and Redis extend its fit for teams already operating those components.
The trade-off is operational ownership. As a self-hosted open-source project, Apache APISIX places deployment, configuration, upgrades, and day-to-day gateway management with the adopting team. Its 100+ gateway and AI plugins, dashboard, and extensive authentication and protocol options provide breadth, but they also make it better suited to teams with clear platform ownership than to buyers seeking a managed gateway with vendor-run operations. Choose Apache APISIX for protocol diversity, Kubernetes alignment, and configurable traffic management; consider another option if self-hosting is not appropriate.
Your product? Our editors can test Apache APISIX in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Apache APISIX pricing
Apache APISIX fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Deployment model | Self-hosted |
| Supported protocols | HTTP, HTTPS, TCP, UDP, WebSocket, gRPC, MQTT, HTTP/3, Dubbo |
| Authentication methods | API key, JWT, Basic Authentication, OAuth 2.0/OpenID Connect, HMAC, LDAP, CAS, Keycloak, Casdoor, forward authentication, multi-auth |
| Rate limiting | Yes |
| Request transformation | Yes |
| Monthly request limit | Not verified |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 5 integrations: Kubernetes, Helm, Docker, etcd, Redis |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | apisix.apache.org |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Apache APISIX integrations
Apache APISIX lists 5 integrations on its own site.
- Kubernetes
- Helm
- Docker
- etcd
- Redis
Alternatives to Apache APISIX
- Azure API ManagementA full-lifecycle API platform for enterprises with hybrid deployment needs.9.4
- Amazon API GatewayA broad AWS-native gateway for HTTP, REST, WebSocket, and private API workloads.9.3
- MuleSoft Omni GatewayA hybrid gateway and governance layer for enterprises coordinating multiple gateway products.9.1
See all Apache APISIX alternatives →
Apache APISIX vs the competition
- Apache APISIX vs Azure API Management
- Apache APISIX vs Amazon API Gateway
- Apache APISIX vs MuleSoft Omni Gateway
- Apache APISIX vs Spring Cloud Gateway
- Apache APISIX vs NGINX Gateway Fabric
- Apache APISIX vs Alibaba Cloud API Gateway
Compare Apache APISIX with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
Apache APISIX is ranked in 6 of our directories.
Used Apache APISIX? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Apache APISIX for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
Apache APISIX is listed in our API Gateway Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/apache-apisix/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/apache-apisix.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
Last updated · How we research and update