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IBM API Connect Reviews

Vendor: IBM
4.0 out of 5
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What is IBM API Connect?

IBM API Connect is an API management tool providing robust security, seamless REST and SOAP conversion, and flexible deployment options for diverse cloud environments. It aids organizations in securing and monetizing their APIs while streamlining the development process.

Get the IBM API Connect Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about IBM API Connect, Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC), Microsoft Azure API Management and more!
IBM API Connect is the #5 ranked solution in top API Management solutions and #10 ranked solution in top Integration Platform as a Service providers. PeerSpot users give IBM API Connect an average rating of 8.0 out of 10. IBM API Connect is most commonly compared to Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC): IBM API Connect vs Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC). IBM API Connect is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 68% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a financial services firm, accounting for 19% of all views.
Buyer's Guide
IBM API Connect
December 2025
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IBM API Connect mindshare

Product category:
API Management
As of December 2025, the mindshare of IBM API Connect in the API Management category stands at 5.4%, down from 6.3% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
API Management Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
IBM API Connect5.4%
Microsoft Azure API Management15.6%
Amazon API Gateway12.5%
Other66.5%
API Management

PeerResearch reports based on IBM API Connect reviews

TypeTitleDate
CategoryAPI ManagementDec 29, 2025Download
ProductReviews, tips, and advice from real usersDec 29, 2025Download
ComparisonIBM API Connect vs Microsoft Azure API ManagementDec 29, 2025Download
ComparisonIBM API Connect vs Amazon API GatewayDec 29, 2025Download
ComparisonIBM API Connect vs ApigeeDec 29, 2025Download
Suggested products
TitleRatingMindshareRecommending
Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC)4.00.7%92%214 interviewsAdd to research
Microsoft Azure API Management3.915.6%91%83 interviewsAdd to research
 
 
Key learnings from peers
Last updated Dec 7, 2025

Valuable Features

IBM API Connect offers valuable features like strong security with OAuth support, seamless integration through DataPower Gateway, and efficient API lifecycle management. Users appreciate the intuitive UI for API creation, transformation between REST and SOAP, and the integration with various cloud services. It supports governance and compliance, enhances analytics, and simplifies user management, providing scalability and robust performance for enterprises managing APIs across verticals.
  • "IBM API Connect has positively impacted my organization because it provides better detailed analytics, which makes things easier for us."
  • "IBM API Connect has a designer and CLI features which can be used to completely automate the API, so if a business analyst has a basic understanding of what the input and output payload is, they can directly create the API."
  • "The best features IBM API Connect offers in my experience are the middleware capabilities, as it can connect the front end, and you can be more secure using JWT tokens with IBM API Connect."

Room for Improvement

IBM API Connect requires better scalability, enhanced monitoring features, and more intuitive integration capabilities. Users express a need for simplified setup processes and improved documentation. Advanced security configurations can be challenging, and customization options are often limited. Developers desire better monetization features, enhanced support, and seamless cloud deployment. The system's installation and stability have been areas for improvement. Enhanced connectivity with various platforms and reduced resource consumption would benefit users. Pricing and support processes need optimization.
  • "Custom code needs to be written in order to connect to MQ and exchange messages. This can be achieved, but it is a tedious task."
  • "I have faced latency issues on the server, related to our management."
  • "When comparing API Gateway with DataPower Gateway, several features in DataPower Gateway are absent in the APIC layer. Examples include the lack of connectivity to MQ."

ROI

IBM API Connect has increased efficiency and savings by reducing the time to expose services from hours to mere clicks. Organizations now can monetize and sell data due to improved governance and security. Development time decreased, allowing the reuse of existing scripts. Integration across systems became easier, providing cross-organizational process benefits. Monetization through custom plans optimizes costs based on traffic, with returns observed within approximately two years after implementation.

Pricing

IBM API Connect offers SaaS and on-premise versions with Essentials, Professional, and Enterprise tiers. Licensing costs are high, often prompting users to prefer open-source alternatives or lighter solutions. Pricing is typically based on a PVU or consumption model with room for negotiation, often cited as too expensive. Enterprise clients may find it justifiable, but smaller entities may struggle with costs, with licensing fees ranging from $20,000 to $40,000 annually.
  • "It is a pretty expensive tool."
  • "It can be quite expensive. It's okay for large-scale usage but quite expensive for smaller-scale implementations."
  • "I rate the product price a seven on a scale of one to ten, where one is a low price, and ten is a high price."

Popular Use Cases

IBM API Connect is primarily used for API management, integration, and as a gateway in banking and financial sectors. It enables API monetization, security, and management for financial institutions. Companies use it to facilitate external communication, manage complex workflows, and streamline API integrations. It supports deployments both on-premises and in the cloud, with a focus on regulatory compliance, API orchestration, and transformation, especially for banking, insurance, and government sectors.

Service and Support

IBM API Connect's technical support is generally responsive and professional. Users report mixed experiences. Many receive timely assistance and find the team knowledgeable, especially for high-severity issues, with some highlighting efficient support for complex queries. Some users express dissatisfaction with slow response times and the need for more comprehensive documentation, indicating the process can sometimes be cumbersome. Customer services demonstrate helpfulness during the implementation phase, yet response times for certain inquiries may vary. Local support availability can influence user experience.

Deployment

IBM API Connect's initial setup is commonly seen as both straightforward and complex. While many find the setup fairly simple with good documentation, challenges arise due to the involvement of multiple components and configurations. Complexities also depend on the organizational context, deployment model (cloud or on-premise), and integration requirements, often necessitating expert support. The timeframe for deployment varies significantly, ranging from minutes to several weeks, with larger implementations requiring more resources.

Scalability

IBM API Connect is mostly deemed highly scalable. Many users find it suitable for large-scale operations, easy to add nodes, and capable of handling numerous transactions. It supports both on-premise and cloud-based scaling using Kubernetes clusters. Some believe its integration requires manual effort, but the flexibility in licensing makes it adaptable. Though a few face challenges with initial setup, most agree the platform efficiently manages expansion needs.

Stability

IBM API Connect is generally stable, with some earlier versions showing minor issues. Current versions offer improved reliability. Users note that it remains dependable, although a few encountered difficulties with patching and connection stability. Some report ratings of seven to eight out of ten for stability, while others rank it as high as nine to ten. Challenges sometimes arise during stress or load testing, but many agree it runs smoothly without major disruptions in most environments.
These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.
Download our IBM API Connect Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business16
Midsize Enterprise8
Large Enterprise46
By reviewers
By visitors reading reviews
Company SizeCount
Small Business230
Midsize Enterprise117
Large Enterprise739
By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
19%
Insurance Company
12%
Computer Software Company
9%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Government
6%
Healthcare Company
4%
Retailer
4%
Comms Service Provider
3%
Energy/Utilities Company
3%
Outsourcing Company
2%
Transportation Company
2%
University
2%
Real Estate/Law Firm
2%
Educational Organization
2%
Hospitality Company
2%
Wholesaler/Distributor
2%
Construction Company
2%
Logistics Company
2%
Consumer Goods Company
2%
Performing Arts
2%
Media Company
2%
Non Profit
1%
Legal Firm
1%
Marketing Services Firm
1%
Wellness & Fitness Company
1%
Recreational Facilities/Services Company
1%
Pharma/Biotech Company
1%

Compare IBM API Connect with alternative products

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Learn more about IBM API Connect

IBM API Connect offers features like a security gateway, API lifecycle management, and integration with DataPower. Its intuitive interface enhances ease of use, supporting extensive analytics and traffic management. However, there are areas for improvement in automation, system integration, and user configuration. Organizations can deploy API Connect on-premises or in the cloud, delivering secure access control and analytics for banking, financial services, and government sectors. Compliance with standards like PSD2 ensures secure external API exposure and integration with multiple systems.

What are the most important features of IBM API Connect?
  • Security Gateway: Provides robust protection and data security for APIs.
  • Seamless Conversion: Facilitates easy conversion between REST and SOAP protocols.
  • API Management: Supports full API lifecycle management for efficient development.
  • DataPower Integration: Integrates seamlessly with DataPower for enhanced functionality.
  • Developer Portal: Offers a user-friendly interface for managing APIs and developers.
  • Analytics: Delivers powerful insights through comprehensive API analytics.
  • Flexible Deployment: Supports deployment on different cloud platforms for versatility.
What benefits and ROI can users expect from IBM API Connect?
  • Traffic Management: Efficiently manages high volumes of API traffic without compromising performance.
  • Data Protection: Ensures data is protected during API communication.
  • API Monetization: Facilitates API monetization strategies to drive revenue.
  • Scalability: Provides scalable solutions to handle growing demands seamlessly.

In specific industries like banking, financial services, and government sectors, IBM API Connect plays a crucial role in API management, orchestration, and regulation tasks. It provides secure access, control, and compliance with industry standards, serving as an essential gateway for data exchange and integration across multiple systems.

IBM API Connect customers

Heineken, Tine, Finologee, Axis Bank

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Product Categories

Product Categories
API Management
Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS)

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IBM API Connect Reviews Summary
Author infoRatingReview Summary
Works at a outsourcing company with 5,001-10,000 employees2.5I've used IBM API Connect for four years in healthcare projects, appreciating its security, user management, and scalability, though latency and auto-scaling need improvement. It's stable overall and has improved onboarding and cost optimization through customizable usage plans.
Software Engineer IV at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees4.5IBM API Connect simplifies API creation and deployment without developers, supports CI/CD and strong security features, but lacks some integration capabilities like MQ. Support is responsive, and licensing is flexible. Overall, I would rate it 9 out of 10.
Software Engineer IV at Royal Cyber Inc.4.5I use IBM API Connect primarily as an API Gateway to expose enterprise APIs externally. It boosts development efficiency significantly but lacks some features compared to DataPower Gateway. Our choice was influenced by existing IBM infrastructure after evaluating MuleSoft and Apigee.
operations Manager at a university with 10,001+ employees5.0I've used IBM API Connect for a month to streamline API management, benefiting from its detailed analytics and AI-driven automation. It's a one-stop solution, though suitability really depends on individual use cases.
Solutions Architect at Synechron4.0I primarily use IBM API Connect for API orchestration and gateway functionalities. It efficiently serves as a central gateway for external and internal APIs, enhancing security and governance. However, it lacks comprehensive API lifecycle management compared to Azure API.
Sr Technical Specialist at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees4.0I use IBM API Connect to monitor, process, and manage API services. Its API lifecycle management aids version control, naming, and performance measurement, enhancing development. However, a SaaS cloud deployment option would improve the solution.
Director Software Development at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees4.0I use IBM API Connect primarily as an API Gateway and Manager in my company. Its most valuable aspect is the API Manager feature, though improvement is needed in scalability and licensing to enhance its overall effectiveness.
ICT Advisor at a consultancy with 1-10 employees3.5I used IBM API Connect for a logistics project in Greece. Its most valuable feature is its message transformation capability, supporting XML and JSON. Although scalable and robust, the user interface and technical documentation require improvement for better usability.