Layer7 API Gateway vs Kong Comparison
Layer7 API Gateway
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Layer7 API Gateway is an enterprise API gateway from Broadcom used by large organizations to enforce security policies, route traffic, and apply schema validation and parameter transformation across internal and external…
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…
Kong leads on user satisfaction with a 4.2-star rating across 102 reviews.
Layer7 API Gateway vs Kong — at a glance
| Feature | Layer7 API Gateway | Kong |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | — | 4.2 / 5 |
| Reviews | — | 102 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | $250 /Month |
| Free trial | No | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small 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 Layer7 API Gateway and Kong
- Pricing: Kong starts at $250 /Month. Layer7 API Gateway pricing is not publicly listed.
- Free trial: Kong offers a free trial; Layer7 API Gateway does not.
- Deployment: Layer7 API Gateway supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Kong supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.
Layer7 API Gateway vs Kong — 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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Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for enterprises needing advanced, secure, and flexible API management.
- You require enterprise-grade security and compliance for APIs.
- Your APIs need complex orchestration with schema enforcement and request shaping.
- You have skilled teams ready to handle high setup complexity and customization.
- You are a small startup with simple API needs and limited resources.
- You prefer out-of-the-box, low-code API solutions with transparent pricing.
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.
Layer7 API Gateway: Best for enterprises needing advanced, secure, and flexible API management. Kong: Best for enterprises needing flexible, extensible API management with strong developer focus.
Description | Layer7 API Gateway is an enterprise API gateway from Broadcom used by large organizations to enforce security policies, route traffic, and apply schema validation and parameter ... Read More about Layer7 API Gateway | 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 |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability |
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Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.4/10 | 9.3/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises | Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Software Demo
Demo |
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How do Layer7 API Gateway and Kong Compare on Features?
Total Features | 9 Features | 10 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Layer7 API Gateway and Kong 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.
Pricing Option | ||
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Pricing Plans |
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Pricing Page | Pricing information not available |  |
Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Platforms Supported |
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Modes of support |
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API Support |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | — | ✓ Yes |
|---|---|---|
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 |
Layer7 API Gateway User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | No reviews available for the product | |
|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Insufficient public user reviews and ratings to determine overall sentiment. What buyers like
Common complaints
| 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
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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 |
List of Customers
Customers |  M and T Bank |  Expedia  Verifone  WeWork |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots | No screenshots available. |  2 Screenshots |
|---|---|---|
Videos |  1 Videos |  1 Videos |
Top Alternatives to Layer7 API Gateway and Kong 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, Layer7 API Gateway or Kong?
- Kong edges out the other on user ratings (4.2 vs -1.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Layer7 API Gateway and Kong offer a free trial?
- Kong offers a free trial. Layer7 API Gateway does not.
- What is the starting price of Layer7 API Gateway vs Kong?
- Layer7 API Gateway starts at Contact for pricing. Kong starts at $250 /Month.
- What are the top alternatives to Layer7 API Gateway?
- Top alternatives to Layer7 API Gateway include 3scale, Apigee Edge, IBM API Connect, WSO2 API Manager, Gloo.
- What are the top alternatives to Kong?
- Top alternatives to Kong include Akana Platform, 3scale, Apigee Edge, WSO2 API Manager, Tyk API Management Platform.