Kong vs Merge Comparison
Kong
Starting at $250 /Month
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Kong is API management software, that allows Web and Mobile applications to access data, content and functions published by 3rd party providers. Kong works with any Public or Private API as well as any type of data sourc…
Merge
Starting at $650 /Month
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Large Enterprises
Merge makes it easy to connect and integrate your customer accounts with hundreds of popular systems, from accounting software to ticketing systems. Keep data continuously in sync while leveraging the Lever Unified API f…
Merge leads on user satisfaction with a 4.8-star rating across 80 reviews.
Kong vs Merge — at a glance
| Feature | Kong | Merge |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.9 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 |
| Reviews | 15 | 80 |
| Starting price | $250 /Month | $650 /Month |
| Free trial | Yes | No |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business |
| Category | API Management Software | API Management Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud |
| API | Available | Available |
| Support modes | Online | Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2, GDPR, ISO 27001 | — |
| Data residency | Global | Global |
Key differences between Kong and Merge
- Pricing: Kong starts at $250 /Month, while Merge starts at $650 /Month.
- Free trial: Kong offers a free trial; Merge does not.
- Target audience: Kong is built for Large Enterprises and Medium Business, while Merge targets Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises.
- User satisfaction: Merge scores higher with a 4.8-star average.
- Deployment: Kong supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Merge supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.
Kong vs Merge — find the better fit before you commit.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most API Management Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
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Kong vs Merge: Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for enterprises needing flexible, extensible API management with strong developer focus.
- You require a highly customizable API gateway with plugin-oriented architecture.
- Your team consists of API developers, DevOps, or technical product managers.
- You operate a medium to large enterprise with complex microservices architectures.
- Your team includes non-technical users needing an intuitive, user-friendly UI.
- You are a small business lacking dedicated API development resources.
Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business
Kong typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. Merge tends to fit Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.
Description | Kong is API management software, that allows Web and Mobile applications to access data, content and functions published by 3rd party providers. Kong works with any Public or Private API as ... Read More about Kong | Merge makes it easy to connect and integrate your customer accounts with hundreds of popular systems, from accounting software to ticketing systems. Keep data continuously in sync while ... Read More about Merge |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.3/10 | 7.6/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises | — |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Software Demo
Demo |  Merge has not given any software demo yet If you're the owner of this profile, add your demo.Contact us |
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How do Kong and Merge Compare on Features?
Total Features | 10 Features | 11 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Kong and Merge on pricing
Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.
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Kong vs Merge: Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Platforms Supported |
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API Support |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Kong vs Merge Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | — |
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HIPAA | — | ✗ No |
GDPR | ✓ Yes | — |
ISO 27001 | ✓ Yes | — |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ Yes | — |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | — |
Audit Logs | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Residency | 🌐 Global | 🌐 Global |
Kong User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
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Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights Kong's flexibility, strong community support, and extensibility, tempered by concerns over usability and interface performance. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is very strong across 120 reviews, with consistently positive feedback. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
Kong and Merge Customers
Customers |  Expedia  Verifone  WeWork | No Customers information available. |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  2 Screenshots | No screenshots available. |
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Videos |  1 Videos | No videos available. |
Top Alternatives to Kong and Merge in 2026
Alternatives |
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Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, Kong or Merge?
- Merge edges out the other on user ratings (4.8 vs 3.9). That said, the best pick depends on your use case, so use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Kong and Merge offer a free trial?
- Kong offers a free trial. Merge does not.
- What is the starting price of Kong vs Merge?
- Kong starts at $250 /Month. Merge starts at $650 /Month.
- What are the top alternatives to Kong?
- Top alternatives to Kong include DreamFactory, Dell Boomi API Management, Apigee Edge, Akana Platform, MuleSoft Anypoint Platform.
- What are the top alternatives to Merge?
- Top alternatives to Merge include NoCodeAPI, Apideck Vault, Checkly, Moltin, Stoplight.