Do you know what makes digital products and services work seamlessly? APIs (Application Programming Interfaces)! APIs enable different applications to communicate with each other and share data, making them the backbone of the digital world. But who manages these APIs? Well, that’s where API Managers come in! They are the superheroes that manage, secure, and optimize APIs, making sure everything runs smoothly.
So, what exactly are API Managers? Simply put, they are tools that help manage the lifecycle of APIs. From development to deployment, security to analytics, API Managers handle it all. Read here, to know more. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into Top 5 API Managers available in the market, and explore their features, benefits, and use cases.
1. Apigee
Apigee is like the superhero of the API Management world – it has the strength, agility, and security features to protect your APIs from all the villains out there. With its intuitive user interface, designing and deploying APIs is as easy as snapping your fingers (or saying “API, assemble!”).
And when it comes to handling high volumes of API traffic, Apigee is like the Hulk – it’s unstoppable! Its scalability is so impressive, it could probably handle the entire population of Malaysia trying to access your APIs at once. And don’t worry about security breaches – Apigee’s got you covered like a superhero’s cape. It’ll protect your sensitive data from unauthorized access and breaches, keeping your APIs safe from harm.
Famous companies like Walgreens and Airbnb know that when it comes to API Management, Apigee is the superhero they need. With Apigee, they can provide a seamless customer experience that’s faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound (okay, maybe not that last one).If you want to be the superhero of the API world, look no further than Apigee. It’s got all the strength, agility, and security features you need to protect your APIs and provide a seamless customer experience. “API, assemble!”
2. MuleSoft
MuleSoft, headquartered in San Francisco, is like a magician’s hat for businesses – it’s got all the integration capabilities, flexibility, and ease of use you need to make your APIs disappear…into thin air! Just kidding, they’ll be seamlessly integrated across various platforms. MuleSoft’s Anypoint Platform includes various components such as Anypoint Design Center, which allows API developers to design and build APIs; Anypoint Exchange, a library for API providers to share APIs, templates, and assets; and Anypoint API Manager, a centralized web interface to analyze, manage, and monitor APIs. Below are the features of Mulesoft’s Anypoint API Manager:
- [Secure & high-performance API getaway] Unlock any service, from monoliths to microservices. Proxy existing services, group APIs together to simplify consumption, and secure APIs with a few clicks — all from a single API manager interface
- [Prebuilt or custom policies] Govern access to APIs and control API traffic by automatically enforcing pre-built or custom policies. Add or remove policies for API security, throttling, rate limiting, caching, and identity management at runtime with no downtime
- [Consistent management experience] Apply policies across all APIs with a consistent management experience no matter the architectural style or specification language
- [Integrated Access Management] Connect to PingFederate, Okta, LDAP, OpenAM, or MuleSoft’s hosted identity management to provide secure access for app developers, partners, and internal business groups. Leverage SAML integration to manage SSO and authorize API consumption through OAuth2 policies
- [Service Mesh] Enforce consistent security and governance across microservices — no matter where they live — from a single interface. Leverage Istio and Envoy to implement zero-trust and apply traffic control policies. Automatically publish any microservice to Anypoint Exchange automatically to promote reuse
- [API Analytics] Improve the reliability, performance, and overall value of your APIs by analyzing and detecting trends in performance, policy violations, and user interactions
And the best part? MuleSoft supports multiple deployment models, so you can deploy your APIs on-premises, in the cloud, or even in a hybrid environment. Well-known companies like Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, and Unilever use MuleSoft to manage their APIs and streamline their operations.
3. Kong
Well, if we’re talking about the WOW factor of Kong, let’s just say that it’s not just about its ability to handle massive volumes of API traffic – although that’s pretty impressive in itself. No, the real WOW factor of Kong is that it’s an open-source API Management platform that is as versatile as a Swiss army knife. Kong is a software company that provides open-source platforms and cloud services for managing, monitoring, and scaling API and microservices.
With Kong, businesses can design, develop, deploy, and manage APIs with ease. Its plugins system is like a candy store for developers, allowing them to customize their APIs. And with Kong’s multi-cloud support, businesses can deploy their APIs in any cloud environment. Below are some features of Kong’s API Manager:
- [Unparalled Performance] Lightweight and cloud-native architecture stack 50K+ transactions per second per node. Sub-millisecond latency. 446x Faster & 31x Higher Throughput
- [Kubernetes-native API management] 100% Kubernetes-native architecture and interfaces to enable you to take full advantage of the power of Kubernetes
- [Scalability] Light footprint and stateless architecture allows instant scaling up or down to meet customer demand
- [Automation] Enable declarative configuration and easily apply proven principles of DevOps and GitOps to automate each phase of the API and microservices lifecycle
Its open-source nature and variety of features, you’ll be managing your APIs like a pro in no time, while enjoying the success of a seamless customer experience. Famous companies that use Kong include Expedia, The New York Times, and Zillow.
4. AWS API Gateway
AWS API Gateway is a one-stop-shop for creating, deploying, and managing APIs at any scale. With AWS API Gateway, you can enjoy features like an API gateway, security, analytics, and developer portal, all seamlessly integrated with other AWS services. Plus, the platform provides a scalable, secure, and reliable solution for managing your API traffic.
*** How AWS API Gateway works
API Gateway has no minimum fees or startup costs. You pay for the API calls you receive and the amount of data transferred out and, with the API Gateway tiered pricing model, you can reduce your cost as your API usage scales.
Get peace of mind with OAuth 2.0 authentication, encryption, and access control, ensuring your data stays safe and secure. Analyze API usage, performance, and user behavior with ease, thanks to the platform’s analytics feature. And the developer portal allows for easy discovery, exploration, and consumption of APIs by developers. With AWS API Gateway, you’ll join the ranks of big names like Airbnb, Netflix, and Samsung, who trust the platform for their API management needs.
5. Azure API Management
Azure API Management is like a personal assistant for your APIs, but better because it won’t mess up your coffee order. This cloud-based platform is the superhero your APIs need, providing features like API gateway, security, analytics, developer portal, and lifecycle management. And it integrates seamlessly with other Azure services, so it’s like having a whole team of sidekicks to help you manage your APIs.
The API gateway is like a personal bodyguard for your APIs. It ensures they’re protected from unauthorized access, breaches, and other digital villains. Plus, it’s much easier to work with than trying to hire The Rock to guard your APIs. Plus, the analytics feature is like having a crystal ball that tells you everything you need to know about your API’s performance and user behavior.
And don’t forget the developer portal, which is like a secret entrance to a world of API wonders. It enables developers to discover, explore, and consume APIs, making it easier than ever to unleash the power of your APIs. Azure API Management is so amazing that big-name companies like Shell, Chevron, and Schneider Electric use it as their go-to cloud platform.