Apache APISIX vs KrakenD: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Apache APISIX and KrakenD side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Apache APISIX
Cloud-native API Gateway and AI Gateway for managing APIs and AI workloads.
KrakenD
The fastest open-source API Gateway for microservices, offering high performance and linear scalability.
| At a Glance | Apache APISIX | KrakenD |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free plan |
Category | API Tools Cloud & Infrastructure | API Tools Cloud & Infrastructure |
Rating | 4.8/5 G2 4.8 5 reviews | 4.7/5 G2 4.7 58 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Apache APISIX or KrakenD?
Choose Apache APISIX if
- You need API tools features specifically.
Choose KrakenD if
- You need API tools features specifically.
In-Depth Analysis
Apache APISIX
Cloud-native API Gateway and AI Gateway for managing APIs and AI workloads.
Strengths
- Pro: Ultimate performance with low latency (0.2 ms)
- Pro: Robust security features for identity authentication and API verification
- Pro: High scalability and availability with customizability
- Pro: Fully dynamic with hot updates and hot-loading plugins, saving development time
- Pro: Platform and protocol agnostic, avoiding vendor lock-in
Weaknesses
- Con: Requires familiarity with NGINX and etcd for advanced configurations
- Con: Steep learning curve for new users due to extensive features and plugins
Key features
KrakenD
The fastest open-source API Gateway for microservices, offering high performance and linear scalability.
KrakenD's pricing is extremely generous with its robust Open Source tier being completely Free.
Strengths
- Pro: Extremely high performance and throughput (80K+ requests/second)
- Pro: Stateless architecture for linear scalability and consistent performance
- Pro: Simplified management with a single binary and GitOps approach
- Pro: Comprehensive features for API management (aggregation, security, traffic control)
- Pro: Transparent and predictable pricing with unlimited requests/APIs
Weaknesses
- Con: No specific cons mentioned in the provided text.
Key features
Plans and prices: Apache APISIX vs KrakenD
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Apache APISIX | No plan prices on file | apisix.apache.org |
| KrakenD |
| krakend.io read Nov 1, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Apache APISIX pricing and KrakenD pricing.
Key Takeaways
Apache APISIX
- Worth considering for API tools
KrakenD
- Worth considering for API tools
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.8/5 from 5 reviews for Apache APISIX, 4.7/5 from 58 reviews for KrakenD; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides).
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Apache APISIX and KrakenD compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.8/5 from 5 reviews for Apache APISIX, 4.7/5 from 58 reviews for KrakenD; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides). Both have a free plan.
What are Apache APISIX and KrakenD used for?
Apache APISIX: Cloud-native API Gateway and AI Gateway for managing APIs and AI workloads. KrakenD: The fastest open-source API Gateway for microservices, offering high performance and linear scalability.
What does Apache APISIX cost vs KrakenD?
Apache APISIX is free. KrakenD has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 1, 2026.
What's the main difference between Apache APISIX and KrakenD?
Apache APISIX's main strength: ultimate performance with low latency (0.2 ms). KrakenD's main strength: extremely high performance and throughput (80K+ requests/second).
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