Amazon API Gateway vs Azure API Management: What are the differences?

Introduction:

Amazon API Gateway and Azure API Management are two popular cloud-based services that provide management and deployment capabilities for APIs. While both services have similar goals, there are several key differences between them. In this article, we will explore and outline the top 6 differences between Amazon API Gateway and Azure API Management.

1. Pricing Model: One key difference between Amazon API Gateway and Azure API Management is their pricing models. Amazon API Gateway offers a pay-as-you-go pricing model, where you are charged based on the number of API calls, data transfer, and caching. On the other hand, Azure API Management offers a tiered pricing model, where you choose a tier based on the desired features and performance levels. This difference in pricing models allows users to select the one that aligns best with their usage patterns and budget.

2. Deployment Options: Another significant difference between the two services is the deployment options they offer. Amazon API Gateway can be deployed natively within the Amazon Web Services (AWS) ecosystem and integrates seamlessly with other AWS services. In contrast, Azure API Management can be deployed within the Microsoft Azure ecosystem and is tightly integrated with the Azure services. This difference allows users to choose the service that aligns with their existing cloud infrastructure.

3. Authentication and Authorization: When it comes to authentication and authorization capabilities, there are differences between Amazon API Gateway and Azure API Management. Amazon API Gateway provides robust authentication and authorization options, including AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) roles, custom authorizers, and OAuth 2.0. Azure API Management also offers similar authentication and authorization options, including Azure Active Directory (AAD) integration and OAuth 2.0. However, the implementation and configuration of these options may vary between the two services.

4. Developer Portal Experience: Both Amazon API Gateway and Azure API Management provide developer portals to facilitate API documentation, onboarding, and discovery. However, there are differences in the developer portal experience offered by each service. Amazon API Gateway provides a customizable developer portal with features like API key generation, documentation customization, and Console access for testing APIs. Azure API Management also offers a developer portal with similar features but with additional capabilities like API versioning, product catalog management, and sandbox testing environments. These differences give users the flexibility to choose a developer portal that suits their requirements.

5. Analytics and Monitoring: Analytics and monitoring capabilities are essential for understanding and optimizing API usage. Amazon API Gateway provides detailed analytics and monitoring through Amazon CloudWatch, giving you insights into usage patterns, latency, error rates, and more. Azure API Management offers similar analytics and monitoring capabilities through Azure Monitor, enabling you to track API performance, diagnose issues, and generate reports. The difference lies in the underlying technology and the level of granularity provided by each service.

6. Integration with Backend Services: Both Amazon API Gateway and Azure API Management support integration with backend services. However, there are differences in how they handle backend integration. Amazon API Gateway offers seamless integration with AWS Lambda, Amazon EC2, and various other AWS services, making it easy to build serverless applications. Azure API Management also supports integration with Azure Functions, Azure Logic Apps, and other Azure services for backend integration. The difference lies in the specific services and technologies supported by each platform.

In Summary, Amazon API Gateway and Azure API Management differ in pricing models, deployment options, authentication and authorization capabilities, developer portal experience, analytics and monitoring capabilities, and integration with backend services. Choosing between the two services depends on your specific requirements, cloud ecosystem, and budget.