We compared MuleSoft Anypoint API Manager and Kong Enterprise based on our users reviews in five parameters. After reading the collected data, you can find our conclusion below:
The opinions on the setup process for MuleSoft Anypoint API Manager vary, with some users finding it complicated in the past but noting improvements over time. In contrast, Kong Enterprise generally offers a smooth and easy installation process, although a few users encountered difficulties and needed professional assistance.
MuleSoft Anypoint API Manager is highly regarded for its adaptability, expandability, gateway service, policy management at the API level, reliability, user-friendly interface, extensive range of connectors, seamless integration, diverse API options, and incorporation of security measures. On the other hand, Kong Enterprise distinguishes itself with its network services based on plugins, support for plugins, functionality derived from open source, features for authentication and authorization, customization through Lua scripting, impressive performance, and limitations on routing.
The users suggest that MuleSoft Anypoint API Manager could enhance its scalability, pricing options, performance, security options, and customization. On the other hand, Kong Enterprise could improve its pricing, automatic data API creation, customization, scaling up process, and developer portal.
The cost of setting up MuleSoft Anypoint API Manager can be high and varies compared to other options. Users have different opinions, with some finding it expensive and others considering it reasonable. In contrast, Kong Enterprise's pricing is influenced by factors such as scale and usage. It is open-source, indicating that it may be less expensive, although still higher than comparable products. The licensing costs for Kong Enterprise are considered reasonable.
Customers have reported positive experiences with the customer service and support of both MuleSoft Anypoint API Manager and Kong Enterprise. They found the support to be helpful, responsive, and prompt. Additionally, customers specifically praised Kong Enterprise's customer service for their assistance with Lua plugin installation.
Comparison Results
To summarize, MuleSoft Anypoint API Manager and Kong Enterprise have distinct characteristics. MuleSoft Anypoint API Manager is highly regarded for its adaptability, expandability, and extensive toolset. However, users have encountered difficulties during the initial setup, faced limitations due to vendor coupling, and expressed concerns about pricing. Conversely, Kong Enterprise is praised for its seamless installation, network services based on plugins, and authentication capabilities. Nevertheless, users have recommended enhancements in pricing, customization, and scalability. Both products receive positive feedback regarding customer service and support.
"The tool's feature that I find most beneficial is rate limiting. In our usage, especially in the financial sector, we prioritize limiting API usage. This is crucial because we provide APIs to other companies and must ensure they adhere to their allocated usage limits. Without rate limiting, there's a risk of excessive usage, which could result in significant costs."
"The route limiting feature is very valuable."
"I like everything about it. It provides the security we need."
"Kong Enterprise has excellent plugin support."
"The solution's technical support is good and fast in terms of responsiveness and problem-solving skills."
"The tool's scalability is good...The solution's technical support is good."
"Protocol transformation is the most valuable feature of Kong Enterprise."
"The features I like include ease of operation and implementation in a cloud environment, the dashboarding features for API statistics, and the user-friendly developer portal."
"The most important features are the API management and API development."
"Offers good integration and flexibility."
"When using the Mulesoft Anypoint Platform, it has a wide range of connectors that are readily available to connect with the multiple applications."
"Mulesoft Anypoint API Manager's most valuable aspect is it has plenty of features."
"It provides all of the robust platform-enabled features."
"It provides various advantages in the integration field, including support for Azure services and cloud integrations."
"Its best feature is that its plugins are somewhat unique in the market. We have budgets, Prime membership, and pre-plugins available in the marketplace that we can use immediately."
"The most valuable features are API development and API management."
"Because it is open-source, it should be less expensive than others."
"Understanding the configurations and knowing what needs to be done can be a bit difficult initially."
"The tool needs improvement in UX."
"Kong Enterprise needs to improve its pricing, which starts at hundreds of thousands of dollars. Pricing should be based on API usage rather than monthly. It should improve its documentation as well."
"Kong Enterprise has decided not to support the web portal feature anymore, but I think that feature should stay in the on-premises solution."
"Kong is meant for north-south communications, so it will be interesting to see what solutions they can come up with in the realms of east-west communications, service-to-service communications, and Zero Trust architecture. I believe that if they can provide for these areas, then they will be able to solve the overall integration and security concerns for microservices architecture in general."
"The technical support team's response time needs to be improved."
"We would like to see an automatic data API when we have a table in the database."
"To improve Anypoint API Manager for the next release, it should focus on better consumption scalability, especially for smaller APIs."
"I would like to see MuleSoft expand the range of APIs you can manage with it beyond HTTP, GIPC, and others."
"I think that they can bring some transparency in reference to the terms of the microservices architecture."
"In the next release, Mulesoft should make it easier for people who don't have the native connectors to build their own rather than using the APA from the power platform or outlet."
"There should be more pricing options or certain discounts for the education sector."
"The log management for this solution needs improvement."
"Anypoint could be improved by making it more open and configurable for small companies, who tend not to consider the solution as it's expensive and requires a lot of costs upfront."
"We have issues with the tool's pricing. The product seemed to have most of the features required for the tasks I was working on. I didn't feel the need for additional features. However, one aspect that could be improved is making the platform more user-friendly for non-technical users. While it's not necessarily complex, it does require some familiarity. Unlike open-source tools available online, accessing and using this product may not be as straightforward. It needs to offer training to its users."
More MuleSoft Anypoint API Manager Pricing and Cost Advice →
Kong Gateway Enterprise is ranked 6th in API Management with 20 reviews while MuleSoft Anypoint API Manager is ranked 4th in API Management with 49 reviews. Kong Gateway Enterprise is rated 7.8, while MuleSoft Anypoint API Manager is rated 8.2. The top reviewer of Kong Gateway Enterprise writes "Provides role-based access control and can be easily customized with Lua script". On the other hand, the top reviewer of MuleSoft Anypoint API Manager writes "Responsive technical support, low tickets issued showing great stability, and limitless expansion". Kong Gateway Enterprise is most compared with Microsoft Azure API Management, WSO2 API Manager, Apache APISIX, Apigee and Amazon API Gateway, whereas MuleSoft Anypoint API Manager is most compared with Microsoft Azure API Management, Amazon API Gateway, Apigee, IBM API Connect and Layer7 API Management. See our Kong Gateway Enterprise vs. MuleSoft Anypoint API Manager report.
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