---
title: 5 Best API Management Solutions | Dreamfactory
description: Here are the 5 best API management solutions. See which one allows you to create REST APIs, -no coding necessary!
image: https://blog.dreamfactory.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/9n_tf0_YANE-1024x576.jpg
---

[![DreamFactory logo](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64ed8da8a866be7a702fbae0/68d51994d3678214b54acb60_dreamfactory-navbar-logo.svg)](https://www.dreamfactory.com/)

 Products & Services

[AI Data Gateway](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/overview)

[Overview Why DreamFactory exists](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/overview) [Data Gov, Comp, Security Policy enforcement at the API layer](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/ai-data-governance) [Standard API Layer One contract for every backend](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/standard-api-layer) [API Gateway Functionality Routing, auth, rate limits, observability](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/api-gateway-functionality) [Deployment & Integration Self-hosted, cloud, hybrid](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/on-premise-deployment-and-integration) [Developer Productivity Auto-generated, never hand-coded](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/ai-development-accelerated) [AI App Architectures Patterns for RAG, agents, MCP](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/enterprise-ai-architectures)

AI Data Models

[AIOpenAI](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/openai) [GGoogle Gemini](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/google-gemini) [CAnthropic Claude](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/anthropic-claude-landing) [LMeta Llama](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/meta-llama) [MMistral AI](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/mistral) [CoCohere](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/cohere)

Services and support

[Quickstart Service Packages Expert-led Quickstarts to production](https://www.dreamfactory.com/services-and-support/quickstart-services-packages)

API Management

[Generate & Manage REST APIs From any database, in seconds](https://www.dreamfactory.com/api-management/generate-rest-apis) [Features Security, scripting, self-hosted & more](https://www.dreamfactory.com/api-management/features) [API Generation The complete guide to auto-generated APIs](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/a-complete-guide-to-api-generation) [API Management Concepts, tools, and best practises](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/what-is-api-management-a-brief-overview-of-api-management-concepts-and-tools?_gl=1*jl0njh*_gcl_au*MjQzMjgwMTc3LjE3ODIzMjI3MzY)

 Use Cases

AI Use Cases

[AI Data Access Secure, governed reads for your LLMs](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/ai-data-access) [MCP Server Drop-in Model Context Protocol](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/mcp-server) [Legacy Modernization Wrap mainframes with REST](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/legacy-modernization) [Data Governance Audit every call, enforce every policy](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/data-governance)

[Customer Case Studies](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies)

[Energy Modernization](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/energy-snowflake-modernization) [Government Modernization](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/government-mainframe-oracle-modernization) [Government Business Intelligence](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/government-sql-server-bi-analyst-queries) [Manufacturing Modernization](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/steel-manufacturing-sap-erp-modernization) [Financial Services Investor Portal](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/financial-services-sql-server-investor-portal) [Non-Profit Partner Data Sharing](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/non-profit-sql-server-partner-data-sharing) [Professional Services Exec Dashboards](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/professional-services-erp-dashboards) [Education HR and External Data Sharing](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/education-student-hr-sql-server-mysql-external-data-sharing)

 Industries

Industries

#### [Healthcare HIPAA-grade APIs across EHR, claims, and labs.](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/healthcare)

#### [Financial Services Portfolios, partners, and portals on one layer.](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/financial-services)

#### [Government Modernize mainframes without re-platforming.](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/government)

#### [Manufacturing SAP, MES, and shop-floor data, governed.](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/manufacturing)

#### [Spotlight How enterprises run on DreamFactory From healthcare to energy to finance — governance baked into every endpoint. Browse case studies →](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies)

 Connectors

SQL Database

[SQL SQL Server](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/sql-server) [OR Oracle](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/oracle) [PG PostgreSQL](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/postgresql) [My MySQL](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/mysql)

NoSQL & Docs

[Dy DynamoDB](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/dynamodb) [Do DocumentDB](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/azure-documentdb) [Mo MongoDB](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/mongodb) [Cb CouchDB](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/couch-db)

Cloud Warehouses

[S3 S3](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/amazon-s3) [Ab Azureblob](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/azure-blob) [FS FTP/SFTP](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/ftp-sftp) [LS Local Storage](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/local-storage)

C & SaaS

[Sf Salesforce](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/salesforce) [API REST / SOAP](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/soap-to-rest)

[See all 30+ connectors](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors)

[Blog](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/)

[FREE 30 Minute Demo](https://www.dreamfactory.com/demo)

[![DreamFactory logo](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64ed8da8a866be7a702fbae0/68d51994d3678214b54acb60_dreamfactory-navbar-logo.svg)](https://www.dreamfactory.com/)

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 Back to main menu

 Products & Services

 Use Cases

 Industries

 Connectors

[Blog](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/)

[FREE 30 Minute Demo](https://www.dreamfactory.com/demo)

[AI Data Gateway](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/overview)

[Overview Why DreamFactory exists](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/overview) [Data Gov, Comp, Security Policy enforcement at the API layer](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/ai-data-governance) [Standard API Layer One contract for every backend](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/standard-api-layer) [API Gateway Functionality Routing, auth, rate limits, observability](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/api-gateway-functionality) [Deployment & Integration Self-hosted, cloud, hybrid](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/on-premise-deployment-and-integration) [Developer Productivity Auto-generated, never hand-coded](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/ai-development-accelerated) [AI App Architectures Patterns for RAG, agents, MCP](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/enterprise-ai-architectures)

AI Data Models

[AIOpenAI](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/openai) [GGoogle Gemini](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/google-gemini) [CAnthropic Claude](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/anthropic-claude-landing) [LMeta Llama](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/meta-llama) [MMistral AI](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/mistral) [CoCohere](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/cohere)

Services and support

[Quickstart Service Packages Expert-led Quickstarts to production](https://www.dreamfactory.com/services-and-support/quickstart-services-packages)

AI Data Models

[Generate & Manage REST APIs From any database, in seconds](https://www.dreamfactory.com/api-management/generate-rest-apis) [Features Security, scripting, self-hosted & more](https://www.dreamfactory.com/api-management/features) [API Generation The complete guide to auto-generated APIs](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/a-complete-guide-to-api-generation) [API Management Concepts, tools, and best practises](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/what-is-api-management-a-brief-overview-of-api-management-concepts-and-tools?_gl=1*jl0njh*_gcl_au*MjQzMjgwMTc3LjE3ODIzMjI3MzY)

AI Use Cases

[AI Data Access Secure, governed reads for your LLMs](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/ai-data-access) [MCP Server Drop-in Model Context Protocol](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/mcp-server) [Legacy Modernization Wrap mainframes with REST](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/legacy-modernization) [Data Governance Audit every call, enforce every policy](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/data-governance)

[Customer Case Studies](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies)

[Energy Modernization](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/energy-snowflake-modernization) [Government Modernization](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/government-mainframe-oracle-modernization) [Government Business Intelligence](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/government-sql-server-bi-analyst-queries) [Manufacturing Modernization](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/steel-manufacturing-sap-erp-modernization) [Financial Services Investor Portal](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/financial-services-sql-server-investor-portal) [Non-Profit Partner Data Sharing](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/non-profit-sql-server-partner-data-sharing) [Professional Services Exec Dashboards](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/professional-services-erp-dashboards) [Education HR and External Data Sharing](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/education-student-hr-sql-server-mysql-external-data-sharing)

Industries

#### [Healthcare HIPAA-grade APIs across EHR, claims, and labs.](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/healthcare)

#### [Financial Services Portfolios, partners, and portals on one layer.](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/financial-services)

#### [Government Modernize mainframes without re-platforming.](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/government)

#### [Manufacturing SAP, MES, and shop-floor data, governed.](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/manufacturing)

SQL Database

[SQL SQL Server](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/sql-server) [OR Oracle](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/oracle) [PG PostgreSQL](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/postgresql) [My MySQL](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/mysql)

NoSQL & Docs

[Dy DynamoDB](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/dynamodb) [Do DocumentDB](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/azure-documentdb) [Mo MongoDB](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/mongodb) [Cb CouchDB](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/couch-db)

Cloud Warehouses

[S3 S3](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/amazon-s3) [Ab Azureblob](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/azure-blob) [FS FTP/SFTP](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/ftp-sftp) [LS Local Storage](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/local-storage)

C & SaaS

[Sf Salesforce](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/salesforce) [API REST / SOAP](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/soap-to-rest)

[See all 30+ connectors](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors)

[![back arrow](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/dreamfactory/images/orange-arrow.svg) Blog](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/)

# 5 Best API Management Solutions | Dreamfactory

 by Terence Bennett

![calendar icon](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/dreamfactory/images/calendar-icon.svg) April 27, 2020

Table of contents

RECOMMENDED ARTICLES

- [A Complete Guide to API Generation](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/a-complete-guide-to-api-generation)
- [10 Best API Management Tools](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/what-is-api-management-a-brief-overview-of-api-management-concepts-and-tools)
- [Creating a Microsoft SQL Server API in Less Than 5 minutes with DreamFactory](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/creating-a-microsoft-sql-server-api-in-less-than-5-minutes-with-dreamfactory)
- [Hasura vs. DreamFactory: A Comprehensive Comparison](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/hasura-vs-dreamfactory)
- [Build A Snowflake REST API in Less Than 5 Minutes](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/generate-a-snowflake-rest-api-in-less-than-5-minutes)

![Number five on a white board on a building](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/9n_tf0_YANE-1024x576.jpg)

We're reviewing the 5 Best API Management Solutions. APIs are the glue that binds the digital world together. Internal APIs allow data to flow elegantly through your tech stack, while external APIs allow developers to build applications that are secure and reliable on top of third-party services.

APIs are generally easy to use, as long as they are well-written and equally well documented. In practice, that’s not always the case, especially when the average enterprise uses [1,200 cloud apps](https://www.forbes.com/sites/falonfatemi/2019/03/21/how-apis-can-transform-your-company/#ffe3c8d668c2), according to figures published in Forbes. Unless you are well-organized, your API library can quickly become a labyrinthine mess that confuses both your team and any third-party developers.

That’s why there’s been a boom in the field of API management solutions. You’ll find a range of options out there, including hosted, on-premise and hybrid options, and they can vary in complexity from plug’n’play to experts-only. In this piece, you’ll learn about five of the best options on the market, including DreamFactory.

After you’ve read this piece, why not [try out DreamFactory on a 14-day trial](https://genie.dreamfactory.com/register)?

 

## 1.     IBM API Connect

IBM’s API Connect was the most widely used [API management service in the world in 2018](https://developer.ibm.com/apiconnect/2019/06/24/ibms-api-management-undisputed-1-in-market-share-again/), and still has a healthy market share today. API Connect is one element of the overall IBM Cloud strategy, which is heavily focused on larger enterprises. IBM DataPower Gateway offers a great deal of security for transactions on this platform.

### What makes it stand out?

IBM’s Developer portal is a popular and well-known tool for manual API development. Many API developers will have experience working with this tool and there’s a substantial amount of community support available. 

### How much does it cost?

IBM offers a free Lite plan that can handle up to 50,000 calls per month, although this comes with limited support. Full-support Enterprise plans are available on a pay-as-you-go basis or on a flat monthly subscription.

![Dreamfactory graphic](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/DreamFactory_blog_CTA_163x200@2x-May-07-2024-08-15-54-4327-AM.webp)

### Generate a full-featured, documented, and secure REST API in minutes.

Generate a full-featured, documented, and secure REST API in minutes.

[Generate your No Code REST API now](https://genie.dreamfactory.com/register)

 

## 2.     Apigee

[Apigee ](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/why-apigee-may-not-be-right-for-you)became a major player in the API management space in 2016, when they were acquired by Google. With the resources of the search giant behind them, the Apigee team has built a popular cross-cloud API management solution.

### What makes it stand out?

As you might expect, Apigee offers outstanding integration with Google Cloud. That includes BigQuery, Google’s data warehouse solution, which allows users to powerful analytics on all aspects of app performance. Apigee also offers multi-cloud support, so you’re not just limited to Google, and there are some great tools for building applications.

### How much does it cost?

You can try out Apigee for free on their Evaluation tier. To access one of their higher tiers – Standard, Enterprise and Enterprise Plus – you’ll need to contact the sales team for a quote.

 

## 3.     3Scale

### What is it?

Red Hat’s entry into to the API management game is 3Scale, an open-source, hybrid solution. It includes analytics and monetization tools, as well as strong encryption and authentication features.

### What makes it stand out?

Because 3Scale is owned by Red Hat, it integrates easily with Red Hat Linux, Fuse, Open Shift and AMQ. If you are working with Red Hat products, you’ll be familiar with the basics and you'll find a vibrant Linux developer community that’s ready to offer support and advice.

### How much does it cost?

The main 3Scale package is offered at a flat price of $750 per month, which allows up to 500,000 calls per month. Their enterprise tier offers unlimited access, with prices available on request.

*Check out the *[*DreamFactory community*](https://www.dreamfactory.com/community/)* and join the conversation today.*

 

## 4.     WSO2 API Manager

[WSO2 ](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/wso2-and-dreamfactory-a-competitive-analysis/)is a fully open source solution that’s ready to download and deploy as a cloud, on-premise or hybrid API manager. Using WSO2 can be a little daunting for the uninitiated, although it fully supports enterprise use.

### What makes it stand out?

WSO2 is great for developers that want to get under the hood of their API management service and configure it to their own requirements. It uses an intuitive reference architecture to help guide your development efforts.

### How much does it cost?

If you deploy via WSO2’s app cloud, you can pick from three plans, including Micro ($550 per month, 20 million calls), Standard ($2000 per month, 100 million calls), and Custom (by arrangement with the sales team. Support for WSO2 API Manager is available as a paid service.

 

## 5.     DreamFactory

DreamFactory is an open-source API management platform that can be deployed on the cloud or on-premise. It offers powerful analytics, a massive range of integration options, and rock-solid security.

### What makes it stand out?

DreamFactory’s key feature is full REST API Automation, which allows you to deploy new APIs without writing a single line of code. Simply integrate any database – SQL or NoSQL – and DreamFactory creates a flexible and fully documented REST API that’s ready to use right away. 

### How much does it cost?

DreamFactory offers a hosted free trial for 14-days, after which you can choose from three service tier. Professional and Enterprise tiers are available hosted or on-premise, with prices available from the sales team. [Chat today for a quote](https://www.dreamfactory.com/demo/).

## Conclusion: Best API Management Solutions

These are five of the best solutions for the issue of API management, but there are dozens of other options on the market. Each one is suited to different use cases, and may or may not meet your needs.

To find the right solution, you need to ask some vital questions, such as:

·        How many [calls](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/how-to-schedule-api-calls/) per month do we expect?

·        Will we be [scaling up](https://www.dreamfactory.com/resources/whitepapers/scalability-guide/) in the near future?

·        Are we hosting on-premise, on the cloud, or both?

·        What level of API development proficiency do we have on the team?

·        What kind of [support](https://www.dreamfactory.com/support/) will we need to help maintain our API library?

·        What kind of [integrations](https://www.dreamfactory.com/hub/categories/all/) do we require now? What about in the future?

·        How are we managing risk and compliance issues?

·        Is our current [API documentation](https://www.dreamfactory.com/features/api-documentation/) process working?

These questions will help you identify the solution that best suits your needs, both now and in the future.

Of the solutions listed above, DreamFactory is perhaps the best all-rounder. With DreamFactory, you can instantly create functional, [documented APIs](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/5-best-api-documentation-tools/) for any data source, while the broad range of integrations allows you to work with almost any data source or authentication service[. Try DreamFactory for free today.](https://genie.dreamfactory.com/register)

TAGS: [API Management](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/tag/api-management-2)

![Terence Bennett](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/hs-fs/hubfs/1624046620145.jpg?width=100&height=100&name=1624046620145.jpg)

Terence Bennett

Terence Bennett, CEO of DreamFactory, has a wealth of experience in government IT systems and Google Cloud. His impressive background includes being a former U.S. Navy Intelligence Officer and a former member of Google's Red Team. Prior to becoming CEO, he served as COO at DreamFactory Software.

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