Actix Web vs Kong: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Actix Web and Kong comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Actix Web
A powerful, type-safe, and blazingly fast web framework for Rust.
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need ide & code editors features specifically
- • A blazingly fast and type-safe web framework for Rust.
- • Features include HTTP/2, logging, and easy form handling.
Kong
API gateway and platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need api tools features specifically
- • Kong is an API gateway and platform for managing, securing, and monitoring APIs
- • It provides rate limiting, authentication, and traffic control for microservices
| At a Glance |  Actix Web |  Kong |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | IDE & Code Editors | API Tools |
Rating | —/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Actix Web | Kong |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | — | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | IDE & Code EditorsAPI Tools | API ToolsHosting & Deployment |
How Actix Web and Kong Compare
Actix Web
A powerful, type-safe, and blazingly fast web framework for Rust.
Free
Kong
API gateway and platform
Free tier available · 84/100 score
Actix Web is a ide & code editors tool. Kong is in api tools.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Actix Web is free. Kong is freemium.
Go with: Actix Web
Want the highest-rated option?
Kong scores 84/100. Actix Web is unrated.
Go with: Kong
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Kong
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Actix Web is free. Kong is freemium. Go with Actix Web if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Actix Web is a ide & code editors tool. Kong is in api tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Kong
- Higher score: 84/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Actix Web
- Completely free
- Better fit for ide & code editors
The Bottom Line
Kong (84/100) is our pick. That said, Actix Web is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Actix Web or Kong better?
Kong scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Actix Web is free and Kong is freemium.
What are Actix Web and Kong used for?
Actix Web: A powerful, type-safe, and blazingly fast web framework for Rust.. Kong: API gateway and platform.
What does Actix Web cost vs Kong?
Actix Web is completely free. Kong is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.