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Azure API Management

API Management

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★★★★☆ 4.4 / 5 on G2 · 4.5 on Capterra (150 G2 reviews)
4.4 / 5
G2 rating, 150 reviews [source]
Microsoft
Azure [source]
$48
Developer from / mo [source]
Gateway + portal
+ policies [source]

Quick facts

CategoryAPI management (Azure)
VendorMicrosoft
Starts atFrom ~$48/mo (Developer); Consumption pay per call
Best forMicrosoft ecosystem
DeploymentAzure cloud and hybrid
Free planConsumption tier (pay per call)
IntegrationsAzure services, Entra ID, DevOps
G2 rating4.4 / 5
Capterra rating4.5 / 5

What is Azure API Management?

Azure API Management is Microsoft's API management on Azure, with a gateway, developer portal and policies integrated with Azure and the Microsoft stack. It lets teams publish, secure, transform, monitor and manage APIs, with an API gateway, a customisable developer portal, policy based control (rate limiting, transformation, security), analytics, and lifecycle management, integrated with Azure services, Entra ID (Active Directory), Azure DevOps and the Microsoft ecosystem, deployable in the cloud or hybrid. The natural API management for teams on Azure, it brings full API management into the Microsoft environment. For API management in the Microsoft ecosystem, Azure API Management is a leading choice.

Azure API Management's distinction is being Microsoft's API management, integrated with Azure and the Microsoft stack. For teams on Azure, it ties API management to Azure services, identity (Entra ID), DevOps and the Microsoft ecosystem, with flexible tiers from pay per call Consumption to Premium, so they manage APIs within their existing environment and identity. That Azure and Microsoft integration sets it apart for those teams.

Azure API Management at a glanceAzure API Management is Microsoft's API management with a gateway, developer portal and policies [Microsoft]. It holds about a 4.4 out of 5 rating across 150 reviews on G2 and 4.5 on Capterra, the natural API management on Azure.

Who Azure API Management is best for

Azure API Management is best for teams on Azure, especially Microsoft centric organisations, that want full API management, gateway, portal, policies and analytics, integrated with Azure services, identity and DevOps. It suits Azure and Microsoft aligned teams. It is a weaker fit for teams on other clouds (AWS with Amazon API Gateway), those wanting a lightweight open source gateway, where Kong or Tyk fit, API development, where Postman fits, or heavy integration, where MuleSoft fits.

Key features

The core strengths are an API gateway, a customisable developer portal, policy based control (rate limiting, transformation, security), analytics, and lifecycle management, integrated with Azure services, Entra ID and Azure DevOps. Azure API Management offers multiple tiers (Consumption pay per call to Premium), hybrid and multi region. Its Azure and Microsoft integration and flexible tiers are its defining advantages.

Azure API Management pricing

Azure API Management offers a Consumption tier priced per call (serverless, pay as you go), plus fixed tiers, Developer (around 48 US dollars a month, for non production), Basic, Standard, and Premium (higher, for production scale and multi region). Pricing scales by tier and, for Consumption, by API calls. Match the tier to production needs and scale. Confirm current figures on the Azure API Management pricing page.

Integrations and ecosystem

Azure API Management integrates with Azure services (Functions, Logic Apps, App Service), Entra ID for identity, Azure DevOps and GitHub, and the Microsoft ecosystem, with support for standards like OpenAPI. Its deep Azure and Microsoft integration, which lets teams manage APIs within their Azure environment and identity, is a signature strength for Microsoft centric teams.

Azure API Management and the Microsoft ecosystem

Azure and Microsoft integration is the signature strength: for teams on Azure, API Management connects to Azure services, identity and DevOps, so they publish and govern APIs within the environment, tools and identity they already use, with tiers from serverless to enterprise. For Azure centric teams, this integration is the main reason to choose Azure API Management.

Ease of use and support

Azure API Management is well rated for Azure integration, the developer portal and policy control, with good support, though reviewers note tier choices and some complexity, and that it is best within Azure. Its G2 reviews praise Azure integration, the gateway and portal, with tier complexity and Azure focus the main considerations.

Is Azure API Management worth it?

For teams on Azure, especially Microsoft centric organisations, that want full API management integrated with Azure services, identity and DevOps, Azure API Management is a strong, well integrated choice. The main caution is that it is best within Azure, so teams on other clouds may prefer Amazon API Gateway or a cloud neutral gateway, those wanting open source Kong or Tyk, but for API management in the Microsoft ecosystem Azure API Management leads.

Pricing

Consumption

Pay per call
serverless
  • Serverless
  • Pay as you go
  • Entry scale

Developer

$48
per month
  • Non production
  • Full features
  • Try and build

Standard / Premium

Higher
per month
  • Production scale
  • Multi region (Premium)
  • Enterprise

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Deep Azure and Microsoft integration
  • Gateway, portal and policies
  • Entra ID and Azure DevOps integration
  • Flexible tiers (Consumption to Premium)
  • Hybrid and multi region

Cons

  • Best within the Azure ecosystem
  • Tier choices add complexity
  • Premium for production can cost more
  • Not for other clouds

Azure API Management alternatives

These api management tools come up most often against Azure API Management.

Google Apigee

Full-lifecycle enterprise API management platform

MuleSoft Anypoint Platform

Integration and API management from Salesforce

Postman

API development, testing, and collaboration platform

Azure API Management FAQ

What is Azure API Management used for?
Azure API Management is used to publish, secure, transform, monitor and manage APIs on Azure: an API gateway, developer portal, policy based control, analytics and lifecycle management, integrated with Azure services, Entra ID and Azure DevOps.
How much does Azure API Management cost?
Azure API Management offers a Consumption tier priced per call, plus fixed tiers: Developer from around 48 US dollars a month (non production), Basic, Standard, and Premium higher for production and multi region. See the Azure API Management pricing page.
Is Azure API Management good for Azure teams?
Yes. Azure API Management is the natural API management for teams on Azure, integrating with Azure services, Entra ID identity and Azure DevOps, so they manage APIs within their existing Microsoft environment and tools.
Azure API Management vs Amazon API Gateway, which is better?
Azure API Management suits teams on Azure with full API management and Microsoft integration, while Amazon API Gateway suits AWS native and serverless APIs. Choose the one matching your cloud.
Does Azure API Management have a developer portal?
Yes. Azure API Management includes a customisable developer portal where API consumers discover, learn about and get access to your APIs, alongside the gateway, policies and analytics, supporting developer experience.
What is the Consumption tier?
The Consumption tier is Azure API Management's serverless, pay per call option, with no fixed monthly cost, suited to variable or lighter workloads, while fixed tiers like Developer, Standard and Premium suit predictable and production scale needs.

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