Alternatives / Kong
Looking for an open source Kong alternative? We compared 6 open source API gateways and management tools by license, plugins, and maintenance. Apache APISIX, Tyk, and KrakenD are real gateways, while Unkey manages API keys and Orbital is a data integration platform.
Written by Maxime DERAME
Last updated:
| Alternative | Best for | License |
|---|---|---|
| Apache APISIX | NGINX-based gateway with 100+ plugins | Apache-2.0 |
| Tyk | Gateway plus dashboard and portal | MPL-2.0 + commercial ee folder |
| Unkey | API key management and rate limiting | AGPL-3.0 (some packages differ) |
| KrakenD | Stateless single-binary gateway | Apache-2.0 (Community Edition) |
| Gravitee | APIs, events, and AI agents | Apache-2.0 core |
| Orbital | Data integration, not a gateway (small) | Multiple licenses by directory |
We looked for open-source tools that sit in front of APIs like Kong: routing, authentication, rate limiting, and plugins. We verified each project's license, recent activity, stars, and self-hosting in its repository, and flag the entries that are not full gateways. See our methodology for the full criteria.
Apache APISIX is an Apache-2.0 gateway built on NGINX and etcd with dynamic routing, over 100 plugins, and Apache Software Foundation governance. KrakenD is a stateless single-binary gateway configured declaratively, which suits GitOps.
Tyk is an API management platform with an open-source gateway, analytics, a developer portal, and a dashboard, but its ee folder and dashboard are commercial. Gravitee covers APIs, event streams, and AI agents with a Kafka gateway and a developer portal, with an enterprise tier.
Unkey manages API keys, with rotation, permissions, and usage analytics, but does not route traffic. Orbital is a data integration platform based on semantic schemas, so it replaces only the integration side of Kong.
Tyk, Gravitee, and KrakenD each keep some features in paid editions. Unkey is AGPL-3.0 with some packages under their own licenses.
Apache APISIX, KrakenD Community, and Gravitee's core are Apache-2.0. Tyk is MPL-2.0 plus a commercial ee folder. Unkey is AGPL-3.0. Orbital uses several licenses by directory.
Apache APISIX, Tyk, Unkey, and KrakenD had commits within days of this update. Orbital's last commit was in June 2026 and it has few stars.
Kong's open-source gateway is free, but many enterprise features such as the manager UI, portal, and some plugins are part of paid editions. Alternatives differ in what they keep open, so the choice depends on which features you need without a commercial license.
Apache APISIX is an Apache-2.0 API gateway built on NGINX and etcd with dynamic routing, over 100 plugins, real-time configuration changes, and traffic management for LLM calls. It is governed by the Apache Software Foundation.
Pricing: Free and open source.
Tyk is an API management platform with an open-source gateway that supports REST, GraphQL, gRPC, and async APIs. The gateway code is under MPL-2.0, while the ee folder is under a commercial license, and the dashboard and portal are part of paid offerings.
Pricing: Free open-source gateway; dashboard and enterprise features are paid.
Unkey is an API key management platform for creating, revoking, and monitoring keys, with permissions, rotation, rate limiting, and usage analytics. Its code is AGPL-3.0 except for some packages with their own licenses. It handles keys, not the full duties of a gateway.
Pricing: Free to self-host; hosted plans are paid.
KrakenD Community Edition is an Apache-2.0 stateless API gateway shipped as a single binary and configured declaratively, which suits GitOps workflows. Its throughput numbers are the vendor's, and a paid Enterprise edition adds features.
Pricing: Free Community Edition; Enterprise edition is paid.
Apache-2.0-core API management platform focused on gateways, security policies, publishing, analytics, developer portals, lifecycle management, rate limiting, and Kubernetes. Commercial Enterprise features are available separately.
Pricing: Self-hosted open-source core and cloud option; Enterprise features require commercial licensing.
Orbital automates integration between APIs, databases, queues, and functions using semantic schemas to cut glue code. It is an integration platform rather than a gateway, so it replaces Kong only in part, and its monorepo uses several licenses depending on the directory. The last commit was in June 2026.
Pricing: Free to self-host; commercial offerings available.
| Alternative | Type | License | Self-hosted | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apache APISIX | API gateway | Apache-2.0 | Yes | Closest replacement |
| Tyk | API management | MPL-2.0 + commercial ee | Yes | Full API management |
| Unkey | Key management | AGPL-3.0 | Yes | Securing API keys |
| KrakenD | API gateway | Apache-2.0 (Community) | Yes | Microservices and GitOps |
| Gravitee | API management | Apache-2.0 core | Yes | Event-driven APIs |
| Orbital | Data integration | Multiple licenses | Yes | Joining data sources |
Want the closest open-source gateway
APISIX is Apache-2.0 with dynamic routing and over 100 plugins.
Want a gateway with a portal and analytics
Tyk bundles a gateway, analytics, and developer portal, with commercial parts.
Want a simple declarative gateway
KrakenD is a stateless single binary that fits GitOps workflows.
Only need API key management
Unkey handles key creation, rotation, permissions, and usage analytics.