Envoy Proxy vs Tyk: 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 Envoy Proxy and Tyk side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Envoy Proxy leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall 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:
Envoy Proxy
Open-source edge and service proxy, a CNCF graduated project, used as a data plane for service meshes and API gateways.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Tyk requires payment)
Tyk
Open source API gateway and management platform
Best for you if:
- • You want open source
| At a Glance | Envoy Proxy | Tyk |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Not published |
Category | DevOps API Tools | API Tools DevOps |
Rating | n/a | 4.7/5 G2 4.5 · Capterra 4.8 · SourceForge 5.0 68 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose Envoy Proxy or Tyk?
Choose Envoy Proxy if
- You want a fully free tool (Tyk requires payment)
- You want open source and a CNCF graduated project
- You want used as the data plane by service meshes and gateways built on top of it
- You work in DevOps, not API tools
Choose Tyk if
- You want open source
- You want self-hosted option
- You work in API tools, not DevOps
In-Depth Analysis
Envoy Proxy
Open-source edge and service proxy, a CNCF graduated project, used as a data plane for service meshes and API gateways.
Envoy Proxy's open source pricing at $0 is extremely generous, as it provides a production-grade edge and service proxy without any licensing fees.
Strengths
- Pro: Open source and a CNCF graduated project
- Pro: Used as the data plane by service meshes and gateways built on top of it
- Pro: Rich traffic management and security features in one proxy
Weaknesses
- Con: It is a proxy, not a full API management product: developer portals, key management and billing come from the products built on it
- Con: Configuration through dynamic APIs and YAML has a learning curve for teams new to it
- Con: Envoy's site does not state a license or a commercial support plan
Key features
Tyk
Open source API gateway and management platform
Tyk's pricing model is quite flexible, offering a fair entry point with its open-source option and usage-based 'Core' tier.
Strengths
- Pro: Open source
- Pro: Self-hosted option
- Pro: GraphQL native
- Pro: Good documentation
Weaknesses
- Con: Enterprise features costly
- Con: Smaller community
- Con: UI can be dated
Key features
Plans and prices: Envoy Proxy vs Tyk
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Envoy Proxy |
| envoyproxy.io read Oct 21, 2026 |
| Tyk |
| tyk.io/pricing read Oct 8, 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 Envoy Proxy pricing and Tyk pricing.
Key Takeaways
Envoy Proxy
- Has a free plan
Tyk
- Choose if you want open source API gateway and management platform
What the data shows
On the data below, Envoy Proxy leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Only Tyk has a published user rating (4.7/5 from 68 reviews); Envoy Proxy has none we can show.
- Only Envoy Proxy has 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 Envoy Proxy and Tyk compare in 2026?
On the data below, Envoy Proxy leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Only Tyk has a published user rating (4.7/5 from 68 reviews); Envoy Proxy has none we can show. Only Envoy Proxy has a free plan.
What are Envoy Proxy and Tyk used for?
Envoy Proxy: Open-source edge and service proxy, a CNCF graduated project, used as a data plane for service meshes and API gateways. Tyk: Open source API gateway and management platform.
What does Envoy Proxy cost vs Tyk?
Envoy Proxy is free. Tyk has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 21, 2026.
What's the main difference between Envoy Proxy and Tyk?
Envoy Proxy's main strength: open source and a CNCF graduated project. Tyk's main strength: open source.