Ambassador vs Kong: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this markdown code, we will discuss the key differences between Ambassador and Kong, two popular API gateway solutions.

1. Integration with Kubernetes: Ambassador is specifically designed to work natively with Kubernetes, utilizing the Kubernetes Ingress resources to configure and manage routing rules. On the other hand, Kong can also be deployed on Kubernetes but requires an additional component, Kong Ingress Controller, to integrate with Kubernetes Ingress resources.

2. API Gateway Implementation: Ambassador functions as a pure, lightweight API gateway that focuses on a single routing mechanism, using Nginx as its core proxy. Conversely, Kong offers a more extensive feature set as an API gateway, including authentication, rate limiting, analytics, caching, and plug-in support, making it a comprehensive solution for various API management needs.

3. Configuration Language: Ambassador employs a declarative YAML configuration language, which simplifies the setup and management of routing configurations. In contrast, Kong relies on a declarative configuration file in JSON or YAML format, allowing more flexibility but potentially requiring a steeper learning curve.

4. Support for Service Mesh: Ambassador is built specifically to integrate with service mesh technologies, such as Istio and Linkerd, to enhance traffic management capabilities within microservices architectures. Kong, on the other hand, can be used in conjunction with service mesh solutions but does not provide native integration.

5. Rate Limiting Approach: Ambassador utilizes a global rate limiting approach, allowing the definition of rate limits for the entire cluster. This approach simplifies configuration management but may limit fine-grained control. In contrast, Kong provides both global rate limiting and per-service rate limiting, offering more granular control over rate limiting strategies.

6. Commercial Support and Enterprise Features: Both Ambassador and Kong offer commercial versions with enhanced support and enterprise features. However, Kong provides more extensive enterprise-grade capabilities, such as advanced security features, plugin marketplace, and multi-region support, making it a stronger choice for organizations with complex API requirements.

In summary, Ambassador excels in Kubernetes native integration, simplicity, and service mesh compatibility, while Kong stands out with its broader feature set, flexible configuration options, and comprehensive enterprise capabilities.