Mule ESB
Mule ESB: A deep enterprise integration runtime, priced for organizations with complex integration needs. Ranked #19 of 37 in API Integration Platforms by our editors (7.4/10); pricing: 30-day trial; best for enterprise ESB and DataWeave integrations.
At a glance
- Editor score7.4 / 10
- Pricing30-day trial
- Best forEnterprise ESB and DataWeave integrations
- Free planNo
- Paid from$2,000/mo
- Workflow builderHybrid
- Founded2006
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- DataWeave transformation with routing and orchestration
- Reusable connectors plus custom connector development
- Cloud, hybrid, Runtime Fabric, and on-premises deployment
Where it doesn't
- Starts at $2,000 per month with annual billing
- No free plan
- Broad platform scope can exceed simpler integration needs
Our verdict on Mule ESB
Mule ESB, currently documented as Mule runtime engine, is an integration runtime for connecting applications, services, APIs, databases, and devices. It executes integration flows for routing, orchestration, transformation, security, reliability, and scalability. Teams can configure applications visually or with XML, use reusable connectors for SaaS applications, databases, and protocols, and trigger events through HTTP Listener and connector-based integrations. It is suited to organizations that need enterprise service bus capabilities and DataWeave-based integrations across cloud and customer-managed environments.
Pricing is structured around current MuleSoft packages rather than a standalone public Mule ESB license. The MuleSoft package starts at $2,000 per month with annual billing and includes core platform capabilities plus Mule Credits for eligible integration, API management, automation, and agent capabilities. The Unlimited plan includes uncapped credits and full portfolio access. There is no free plan, while a 30-day free trial is available. This makes the product more appropriate for organizations budgeting for a broad integration platform than for teams seeking a low-cost starting point.
Its strongest differentiator is breadth across integration design, deployment, governance, and runtime management. API gateway and policy enforcement, custom connector development through Mule SDK or Connector Builder, and centralized deployment, monitoring, and runtime management support complex operating models. Deployment options include MuleSoft-managed cloud environments, customer-managed infrastructure, Runtime Fabric, hybrid standalone runtimes, and on-premises Mule instances. Salesforce, SAP, relational databases, LDAP, WebSockets, and HTTP are listed integrations. Choose Mule ESB when control, transformation depth, and deployment flexibility matter; teams with straightforward workflows or a preference for free software should look elsewhere.
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Mule ESB pricing
All 2 Mule ESB plans and prices →
Mule ESB fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $2,000/mo |
| Workflow builder | Hybrid |
| Self-hosted deployment | Yes |
| Custom connectors | Yes |
| Webhook triggers | Yes |
| Included executions | Not verified |
| Reusable workflows | Yes |
| Free trial | 30 days · no card needed |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 450+ integrations: Salesforce, SAP, relational databases, LDAP, WebSockets, HTTP |
| Pricing | 30-day trial (source) |
| Website | mulesoft.com |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Mule ESB integrations
Mule ESB lists 450+ integrations on its own site — the 6 named here are the ones its pages call out.
- Salesforce
- SAP
- relational databases
- LDAP
- WebSockets
- HTTP
Alternatives to Mule ESB
- n8nFlexible automation for technical teams that need code, branching, and deployment choice.9.4
- CeligoA broad integration platform covering workflows, APIs, data transformation, and hybrid connectivity.9.1
- Apache CamelA broad, developer-oriented integration framework with 350+ connectors and flexible runtimes.9.0
See all Mule ESB alternatives →
Also Ranked In
Mule ESB is ranked in 5 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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