Centrifugo vs Kong: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Centrifugo 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:
Centrifugo
Scalable real-time messaging server for interactive applications, designed for high performance and easy integration.
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • Self-hosted, language-agnostic real-time messaging server.
- • Handles persistent connections over various transports (WebSocket, SSE, etc.).
Kong
API gateway and platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • 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 |  Centrifugo |  Kong |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | API Tools | API Tools |
Rating | —/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Centrifugo | 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 | API ToolsLive Chat | API ToolsHosting & Deployment |
How Centrifugo and Kong Compare
Centrifugo
Scalable real-time messaging server for interactive applications, designed for high performance and easy integration.
Free
Kong
API gateway and platform
Free tier available · 84/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Centrifugo is free. Kong is freemium.
Go with: Centrifugo
Want the highest-rated option?
Kong scores 84/100. Centrifugo 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?
Centrifugo is free. Kong is freemium. Go with Centrifugo if free matters most.
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
Centrifugo
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Kong (84/100) is our pick. That said, Centrifugo is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Centrifugo or Kong better?
Kong scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Centrifugo is free and Kong is freemium.
What are Centrifugo and Kong used for?
Centrifugo: Scalable real-time messaging server for interactive applications, designed for high performance and easy integration.. Kong: API gateway and platform.
What does Centrifugo cost vs Kong?
Centrifugo is completely free. Kong is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.