Consul vs Kong: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Consul 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:
Consul
Service networking solution for secure connectivity across on-prem, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments.
Best for you if:
- • You need identity & access features specifically
- • Manages secure network connectivity for services across diverse environments.
- • Offers service discovery, service mesh, identity-based authorization, and traffic management.
Kong
API gateway and platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 7.4/10)
- • 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 |  Consul |  Kong |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Identity & Access | API Tools |
Rating | 74/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Consul | Kong |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 74 | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Identity & AccessSecurity Monitoring | API ToolsHosting & Deployment |
How Consul and Kong Compare
Consul
Service networking solution for secure connectivity across on-prem, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments.
Free tier available · 74/100 score
Kong
API gateway and platform
Free tier available · 84/100 score
Consul is a identity & access tool. Kong is in api tools.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Consul
Want the highest-rated option?
Consul: 74/100. Kong: 84/100.
Go with: Kong
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Kong
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Consul is a identity & access tool. Kong is in api tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Kong scores higher: 84/100 vs 74/100.
Key Takeaways
Kong
- Higher score: 84/100 vs 74
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Consul
- Better fit for identity & access
The Bottom Line
Kong (84/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Consul or Kong better?
Kong scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Consul and Kong used for?
Consul: Service networking solution for secure connectivity across on-prem, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments.. Kong: API gateway and platform.
What does Consul cost vs Kong?
Consul is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Kong is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.