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Free Azure API Management alternatives: 2 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

2 of the 5 Azure API Management alternatives we track can be used for free (free, open source, or with a free plan). Kong and Tyk rank highest, with facts last verified Nov 8, 2026.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingVerified priceOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Kong logoKongOpen sourceFrom $25/month plus usage (Konnect Plus)YesWeb, Linux, Self-hosted4 of 464.8
2Tyk logoTykOpen source—YesWeb, Linux, Self-hosted4 of 461.8
  1. Kong logo

    1. KongTop pick

    Best for: Platform teams wanting a battle-tested open-source gateway with an optional managed control plane

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Linux, Self-hosted

    64.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Azure API Management

    Open-source gateway you can run on any cloud or Kubernetes cluster without being tied to Azure.

    Pros

    • Open-source core under Apache 2.0
    • Large plugin library for auth, rate limiting and observability
    • Self-hosted, hybrid or fully managed deployment

    Cons

    • Many advanced plugins and the portal need a paid licence
    • Konnect usage pricing has many moving parts
    • More to operate than a single-binary gateway like KrakenD
    Visit Kong Compare with Azure API ManagementDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Kong a good Azure API Management alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    Apache-2.0
    Checked Nov 1, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    30 days (Konnect)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026konghq.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    From $25/month plus usage (Konnect Plus)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026konghq.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Extensibility
    Modules and plugins
    Checked Nov 8, 2026developer.konghq.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Tyk logo

    2. Tyk

    Best for: Teams in regulated industries wanting an open-source gateway they can fully self-manage

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Linux, Self-hosted

    61.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Azure API Management

    Open-source gateway with a built-in developer portal that self-hosts anywhere, without a Premium-tier requirement.

    Pros

    • Gateway is open source under MPL 2.0
    • Paid plans don't charge per API call
    • Cloud, hybrid or fully on-premises deployment

    Cons

    • Dashboard and developer portal require a paid licence
    • Cloud trial is only 48 hours
    • Smaller plugin ecosystem than Kong
    Visit Tyk Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Tyk a good Azure API Management alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    MPL 2.0 (Gateway and Pump)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026tyk.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    48 hours (Tyk Cloud)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026tyk.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Pricing basis
    Per API managed, unlimited calls
    Checked Nov 8, 2026tyk.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Protocols
    REST, GraphQL, TCP, gRPC, MCP
    Checked Nov 1, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)