Ambassador Cloud vs Kong: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Ambassador Cloud 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:
Ambassador Cloud
Unify API management and governance across all your gateways with a single control plane.
Best for you if:
- • Unifies API management for Edge Stack and Gravitee APIs under one control plane.
- • Provides consistent governance, security, and developer experience across all APIs.
Kong
API gateway and platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You want to try before committing
- • 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 |  Ambassador Cloud |  Kong |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | API Tools | API Tools |
Rating | —/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Ambassador Cloud | Kong |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | — | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | API ToolsMonitoring | API ToolsHosting & Deployment |
How Ambassador Cloud and Kong Compare
Ambassador Cloud
Unify API management and governance across all your gateways with a single control plane.
Paid
Kong
API gateway and platform
Free tier available · 84/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Kong has a free tier. Ambassador Cloud is paid only.
Go with: Kong
Want the highest-rated option?
Kong scores 84/100. Ambassador Cloud 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?
Ambassador Cloud is paid. Kong is freemium. Kong lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are api tools tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
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
Ambassador Cloud
The Bottom Line
Kong (84/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ambassador Cloud or Kong better?
Kong scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Ambassador Cloud is paid and Kong is freemium.
What are Ambassador Cloud and Kong used for?
Ambassador Cloud: Unify API management and governance across all your gateways with a single control plane.. Kong: API gateway and platform.
What does Ambassador Cloud cost vs Kong?
Ambassador Cloud is a paid tool. Kong is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.