Compare the Top Free API Management Software as of April 2025

What is Free API Management Software?

API management software is designed to help organizations create, manage, secure, and monitor APIs throughout their lifecycle. These tools enable businesses to expose their APIs to developers, control access, enforce security policies, and ensure optimal performance. Key features typically include API gateway functionality, authentication and authorization, traffic monitoring, rate limiting, analytics, and version control. API management software also helps with the documentation, testing, and debugging of APIs, as well as integrating with third-party services. It is commonly used to ensure seamless and secure communication between different systems, services, and applications, particularly in microservices architectures and cloud environments. Compare and read user reviews of the best Free API Management software currently available using the table below. This list is updated regularly.

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    KrakenD

    KrakenD

    KrakenD

    KrakenD is a high-performance API Gateway optimized for resource efficiency, capable of managing 70,000 requests per second on a single instance. The stateless architecture allows for straightforward, linear scalability, eliminating the need for complex coordination or database maintenance. It supports various protocols and API specifications, with features like fine-grained access controls, data transformation, and caching. Unique to KrakenD is its ability to aggregate multiple API responses into one, streamlining client-side operations. Security-wise, KrakenD aligns with OWASP standards and doesn't store data, making compliance simpler. It offers a declarative configuration and integrates with third-party logging and metrics tools. With transparent pricing and an open-source option, KrakenD is a comprehensive API Gateway solution for organizations prioritizing performance and scalability.
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  • 2
    Ambassador

    Ambassador

    Ambassador Labs

    Ambassador Edge Stack is a Kubernetes-native API Gateway that delivers the scalability, security, and simplicity for some of the world's largest Kubernetes installations. Edge Stack makes securing microservices easy with a comprehensive set of security functionality, including automatic TLS, authentication, rate limiting, WAF integration, and fine-grained access control. The API Gateway contains a modern Kubernetes ingress controller that supports a broad range of protocols including gRPC and gRPC-Web, supports TLS termination, and provides traffic management controls for resource availability. Why use Ambassador Edge Stack API Gateway? - Accelerate Scalability: Manage high traffic volumes and distribute incoming requests across multiple backend services, ensuring reliable application performance. - Enhanced Security: Protect your APIs from unauthorized access and malicious attacks with robust security features. - Improve Productivity & Developer Experience
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    Directus

    Directus

    Monospace Inc

    Directus is an Open Data Platform for managing the content of any SQL database. It provides a powerful API layer for developers and an intuitive App for non-technical users. Written entirely in JavaScript (primarily Node.js and Vue.js), Directus is completely open-source, modular, and extensible, allowing it to be fully tailored to your exact project needs. With Directus Cloud, we've taken our open-source spirit to the cloud by offering Directus Community Cloud, a completely free tier - without quotas or limitations. It's ideal for hobby projects and demos, and when you're ready for production, Standard Cloud has the power and infrastructure options you need. Our pricing is usage-based, which means you only pay for what you use. Use Directus on your next headless cms, internal tool, or SaaS project, or use our Insights for better data management and analytics. With Directus, you're only limited by your imagination.
    Starting Price: Free
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    Backendless

    Backendless

    Backendless

    Backendless is a Visual App Development Platform (VADP) that combines API, user, and database management functionality with a user-friendly, web-based interface and UI Builder. Backendless offers the ability to send emails and push notifications and supports real-time chat and geolocation-based functionality. A Backendless application can be customized with manually written code or using our Codeless logic builder. The platform can be hosted on our cloud servers or installed and managed on your own private servers. The Backendless UI Builder allows you to build fully functional web and mobile apps. You can use the UI Builder, or Backendless works seamlessly with virtually any client-side environment, automatically morphing data to the proper format for the frontend operating system. A Backendless database can also be connected to external databases, allowing you to maintain existing data sources while also being able to manage those databases using Backendless' intuitive interface.
    Starting Price: $15.00/month
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    DreamFactory

    DreamFactory

    DreamFactory Software

    DreamFactory Software is the fastest way to build secure, internal REST APIs. Instantly generate APIs from any database with built-in enterprise security controls that operates on-premises, air-gapped, or in the cloud. Develop 4x faster, save 70% on new projects, remove project management uncertainty, focus talent on truly critical issues, win more clients, and integrate with newer & legacy technologies instantly as needed. DreamFactory is the easiest and fastest way to automatically generate, publish, manage, and secure REST APIs, convert SOAP to REST, and aggregate disparate data sources through a single API platform. See why companies like Disney, Bosch, Netgear, T-Mobile, Intel, and many more are embracing DreamFactory's innovative platform to get a competitive edge. Start a hosted trial or talk to our engineers to get access to an on-prem environment!
    Starting Price: $1500/month
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    Gravitee.io

    Gravitee.io

    Gravitee.io

    Gravitee.io is the easiest to use, most performant and cost-effective Open Source API Platform that helps your organization to secure, publish and analyze your APIs. Use the power of Gravitee.io to manage identities with our OAuth2, OpenID Connect (OIDC) and Financial-grade API (FAPI) certified server. Gravitee.io APIM is a flexible, lightweight and blazing-fast open source API Management solution that helps your organization control finely who, when and how users access your APIs. With strong governance features such as API review and API quality and our market leading API designer, Gravitee.io enables you to design, manage, deploy and monitor your APIs in a secure and governed way. A branded Gravitee.io portal enables your API consumers to fully engage with your business - delivering high quality engagement for your business in the digital age.
    Starting Price: $2500 per month
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