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WSO2 API Manager vs 3scale Comparison

Last updated:

WSO2 API Manager

4.1(126 reviews)

Starting at $2,000

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

WSO2 API Manager is an open source API management platform that enables enterprises to expose their APIs for business-to-consumer and business-to-business services, via a well-designed user interface. A well-designed pro…

3scale

3.9(10 reviews)

Starting at $750 /Month

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

3scale API Management Software enables businesses to easily manage APIs, providing a complete toolset for publishing, managing and monetizing APIs. 3scale provides a complete toolset for publishing, managing and monetizi…

WSO2 API Manager leads on user satisfaction with a 4.1-star rating across 126 reviews.

SpotSaaS Analysis

WSO2 API Manager3scale

The core difference between WSO2 API Manager and 3scale lies in WSO2's focus on deep customization and security for large enterprises, while 3scale emphasizes a comprehensive API management and monetization solution for medium to large businesses. WSO2 is ideal for organizations that need extensive customization and security, whereas 3scale suits those looking for a full-featured API lifecycle tool with monetization capabilities.

- Best for large enterprises needing customizable API management - Offers robust security features like OAuth and JWT - Ideal for organizations with complex API lifecycle requirements - Suitable for companies with 51-500 or 500+ employees - Price starts at $2,000 - Focuses on deep customization options

- Best for medium to large enterprises needing API monetization - Provides a full API lifecycle toolset including publishing and management - Ideal for organizations with dedicated API product managers - Suitable for medium businesses and large enterprises - Price starts at $750 - Emphasizes comprehensive API management capabilities

WSO2 API Manager vs 3scale — at a glance

FeatureWSO2 API Manager3scale
Rating4.1 / 53.9 / 5
Reviews12610
Starting price$2,000$750 /Month
Free trial Yes Yes
Free version No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryAPI Management SoftwareAPI Management Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - AndroidSaaS/Web/Cloud
APIAvailable
Support modes24/7 (Live rep)Business Hours, Online
CertificationsGDPRSOC 2, GDPR, ISO 27001
Data residencyGlobalGlobal

Key differences between WSO2 API Manager and 3scale

  • Pricing: WSO2 API Manager starts at $2,000, while 3scale starts at $750 /Month.
  • User satisfaction: WSO2 API Manager scores higher with a 4.1-star average.
  • Deployment: WSO2 API Manager supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android; 3scale supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.

WSO2 API Manager vs 3scale — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

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.

WSO2 API Manager - API Management Software
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Talk to an expert
3scale - API Management Software
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Talk to an expert

Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

WSO2 API Manager

Best for large enterprises needing highly customizable, secure API management.

Choose if
  • You require deep customization and flexible API lifecycle management.
  • Your organization needs robust, native security features like OAuth and JWT.
  • You have dedicated technical teams to handle complex setup and configuration.
Consider alternatives if
  • You are a small team or startup seeking simple, out-of-the-box API management.
  • Your organization lacks technical resources for initial complex configuration and ongoing maintenance.

3scale

Best for medium to large enterprises needing comprehensive API management and monetization.

Choose if
  • You require a full API lifecycle toolset including publishing, management, and monetization.
  • Your organization is medium-sized or larger with dedicated API product managers and developer teams.
  • You want flexible subscription options and a free trial to evaluate before committing.
Consider alternatives if
  • You are a startup or very small business with limited API management needs.
  • You need highly customizable or niche API management features or simpler setup.

WSO2 API Manager: Best for large enterprises needing highly customizable, secure API management. 3scale: Best for medium to large enterprises needing comprehensive API management and monetization.

Description

WSO2 API Manager is an open source API management platform that enables enterprises to expose their APIs for business-to-consumer and business-to-business services, via a well-designed user ... Read More about WSO2 API Manager

3scale API Management Software enables businesses to easily manage APIs, providing a complete toolset for publishing, managing and monetizing APIs. 3scale provides a complete toolset for ... Read More about 3scale

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $2,000
  • Starts from $750

Free Trial Availability

  • Free Trial available

Spotsaas Score

What's this? ↗

9.2/10

8.7/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

3.9

(10)

Best Company Size

51-500 employees500+ employees
Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises
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Software Demo

Demo

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How do WSO2 API Manager and 3scale Compare on Features?

Total Features

10 Features

9 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

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Compare WSO2 API Manager and 3scale 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

      Starting From

      • $2,000
      • $750

      Pricing Plans

      • TRIAL

        • API calls per month: 1 million

        • Number of pre-prod environments included: 0

      • MICRO

        • API calls per month: 20 million

        • Number of pre-prod environments included: 0

      • STANDARD

        • API calls per month: 100 million

        • Number of pre-prod environments included: 1

      • Browse all pricing plans
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      WSO2 API Manager pricing
      3scale pricing

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals
      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals
      • Freelancers

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Available
      • Not Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      SOC 2

      ✓ Yes

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      ISO 27001

      ✓ Yes

      Single Sign-On (SSO)

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

      ✓ Yes

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Audit Logs

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      🌐 Global
      🌐 Global

      WSO2 API Manager User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      49

      18

      0

      0

      0

      1

      0

      1

      0

      0

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Overall positive sentiment highlighting flexibility, security, and comprehensive features, tempered by concerns about setup complexity and documentation.

      What buyers like

      • Flexibility and customizability
      • Security features
      • Ease of use

      Common complaints

      • Complex configuration
      • Documentation quality

      Buyer sentiment

      User sentiment is mixed with appreciation for comprehensive features but concerns about pricing transparency and complexity.

      What buyers like

      • Feature completeness
      • Flexibility
      • Support for monetization

      Common complaints

      • Pricing opacity
      • Complexity of setup

      Pros and Cons

      • Highly flexible and customizable platform

      • Comprehensive API lifecycle management features including security and analytics

      • Strong security mechanisms such as OAuth, JWT, and API key support

      • Complex initial configuration requiring multiple file changes

      • Documentation quality and clarity needing improvement

      • Comprehensive API management toolset covering publishing, management, and monetization

      • Supports multiple business sizes from medium to large enterprises

      • Offers free trial allowing evaluation before purchase

      • Limited publicly available pricing information complicates budgeting

      • Relatively low rating (3.9) with few reviews indicating mixed user satisfaction

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      List of Customers

      Customers

      American Express

      American Express

      ebay

      ebay

      Motorola

      Motorola

      No Customers information available.

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      Pizza Shack API

      4 Screenshots

      No screenshots available.

      Videos

      video-0

      3 Videos

      video-0

      1 Videos

      Top Alternatives to WSO2 API Manager and 3scale in 2026

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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, WSO2 API Manager or 3scale?
      WSO2 API Manager edges out the other on user ratings (4.1 vs 3.9). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do WSO2 API Manager and 3scale offer a free trial?
      Yes, both WSO2 API Manager and 3scale offer a free trial.
      What is the starting price of WSO2 API Manager vs 3scale?
      WSO2 API Manager starts at $2,000. 3scale starts at $750 /Month.
      What are the top alternatives to WSO2 API Manager?
      Top alternatives to WSO2 API Manager include 3scale, Dell Boomi API Management, Apigee Edge, IBM API Connect, Kong.
      What are the top alternatives to 3scale?
      Top alternatives to 3scale include Akana Platform, Apigee Edge, IBM API Connect, Kong, MuleSoft Anypoint Platform.

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