Azure API Management vs Kong: What are the differences?

Introduction

Azure API Management and Kong are both API gateway platforms that enable the management and delivery of APIs. While they have similarities in terms of their basic functionalities, there are key differences that separate these two solutions. This article will outline the main differences between Azure API Management and Kong in a concise manner.

1. Pricing Model: Azure API Management follows a usage-based pricing model, where the costs are determined by the number of API calls made and the data transfer. On the other hand, Kong offers a flexible pricing model that allows users to choose between open-source or enterprise editions, with the latter providing additional features and support.
2. Deployment Options: Azure API Management is a fully managed service provided by Microsoft Azure, which means it is deployed and managed within the Azure cloud infrastructure. In contrast, Kong offers more flexibility in terms of deployment options, allowing users to deploy it on-premises or in various cloud environments.
3. Analytics and Monitoring: Azure API Management includes robust analytics and monitoring features out-of-the-box, providing insights into API usage, performance, and health. Kong, on the other hand, offers limited analytics and monitoring capabilities in its open-source version, with more advanced features available in its enterprise edition or through integration with third-party tools.
4. Extensibility and Customization: Azure API Management provides a range of built-in policies and extensions that allow users to customize and extend the functionality of their APIs. Additionally, it offers a developer portal for creating self-service portals for developers. Kong, being an open-source solution, provides more flexibility in terms of customizing and extending its functionality through plugins, enabling users to tailor the API gateway to their specific requirements.
5. Ecosystem and Integration: Azure API Management is tightly integrated with other Azure services, allowing seamless integration and management of APIs within the Azure ecosystem. It supports integration with Azure Active Directory for authentication and authorization. On the other hand, Kong provides integration with various third-party tools, making it more flexible for integration with existing systems and tools outside the Kong ecosystem.
6. Support and Community: Azure API Management is backed by Microsoft's support and has a large user community, providing extensive documentation, resources, and support forums. Kong, being open-source, has an active and vibrant community that contributes to its development and provides support. However, enterprise support for Kong is available through its enterprise edition.

In summary, Azure API Management and Kong differ in their pricing models, deployment options, analytics and monitoring capabilities, extensibility and customization, ecosystem and integration, as well as support and community. These differences make them suitable for different use cases and organizations with varying requirements.