MuleSoft API Manager and 3scale API Management are competitive solutions in the API management domain. MuleSoft edges out with its robust feature set, while 3scale provides straightforward deployment and is more cost-effective.
Features: MuleSoft offers comprehensive connectivity features with a wide array of connectors and orchestration tools, perfect for complex integrations. It supports intuitive development and strong security measures for public-facing APIs. Users value its stability and scalability. 3scale stands out for solid API management with a clear containerization strategy, easily deployable on OpenShift, known for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness, especially for those within the Red Hat ecosystem.
Room for Improvement: MuleSoft users note high costs and the absence of certain stack elements like BPM or identity management, along with needed improvements in business-level analytics and migration complexity. 3scale users mention the complexity of customization using liquid templates, limited flexibility compared to rivals, and inadequate support for complex API management and SOAP.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: MuleSoft offers diverse deployment models, though criticized for complex setups. Its technical support is responsive yet sometimes overly sales-focused. 3scale primarily deploys on OpenShift and is recognized for its easy deployment and good Red Hat suite integration. Its customer service is seen as strong, but technical flexibility can be limited by less helpful support on intricate setups.
Pricing and ROI: MuleSoft's high pricing based on cores can escalate costs, offering extensive capabilities and potential ROI through reusable APIs. 3scale's more favorable pricing benefits OpenShift users, offering an affordable option with added functionality. Both solutions greatly enhance organizational value, with MuleSoft known for its comprehensive features and 3scale for its cost-effectiveness and ease of integration.
This iPaaS platform with CloudHub eliminates variable infrastructure-related costs and saves enterprises on connectivity and operations costs, as everything comes bundled from the MuleSoft side.
Our enterprise pays for a special success program, which provides priority support.
If bug fixing is required for downtimes or issues, we receive prompt support with alternative solutions or workarounds.
They can be slow in addressing security vulnerabilities.
Regarding availability, especially with iPaaS solutions, they guarantee 99.99%.
There was an issue when trying to implement a request-reply pattern using JMS, which was not functioning as expected despite being documented.
Managing the cost of MuleSoft, particularly the billing model based on the number of active cores/threads, has been challenging.
Introducing features related to auto governance without manual effort would make the API Manager smarter and more efficient for enterprises with complex landscapes.
The pricing is high, which is the biggest point where some customers are hesitant about adopting it.
The major challenge they face is the high pricing, which has become notable especially since they transitioned from a VCore to a usage-based subscription.
MuleSoft is typically more expensive compared to using Java or Spring Boot APIs hosted in containers.
It simplifies exposing our APIs externally and inherently adds a layer of security, which I see as a positive impact from the product.
MuleSoft's ability to connect to third-party monitoring platforms like AWS, Datadog, and Elastic makes operational analysis more efficient.
It also enables us to create additional layers of authentication, like integrating external providers for OAuth, within reduced timelines.
In MuleSoft API Manager, I find features like throttling and security to be the most valuable, as these are the things we use and configure as part of our deployments.
| Product | Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| MuleSoft API Manager | 4.6% |
| 3scale API Management | 2.2% |
| Other | 93.2% |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 6 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 2 |
| Large Enterprise | 5 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 17 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 5 |
| Large Enterprise | 43 |
3scale is an API management platform that delivers flexible, highly scalable solutions to package, distribute, control, and monetize your APIs, giving you the power to make the most of your API program.
3scale delivers centralized API management features through a distributed, cloud-hosted layer. The platform includes built-in features to help you build a more successful API program, including access control, rate limits, payment gateway integration, and developer experience tools.
Mulesoft API Manager is the portion of the Anypoint Platform that is used for the designing, building, managing, and publishing of APIs. Anypoint Platform uses Mule as its core runtime engine.
Mulesoft API Manager is an extremely versatile solution. It offers users the ability to deploy their APIs in a number of different settings. You can use API Manager on a public cloud, a private cloud, or a hybrid. Additionally, users can use the solution to manage their deployments with ease. A few clicks are all you need to alter your deployment.
Benefits of Mulesoft API Manager
Some of the benefits of using Mulesoft API Manager include:
Reviews from Real Users
Mulesoft API Manager is a highly effective piece of software whose purpose is to enable users to design, build, manage, and publish APIs. It stands out among its competitors for a number of reasons. Two major ones are the ease with which users can connect it to their applications and the high level of value that its support offers. It provides users with the ability to easily connect this solution with whatever program they need to join it with. Users can create connections without having to write code. It offers different types of support which ensure that users have a high level of understanding about the product and how to use it.
PeerSpot user Tolulope A., a technical lead specializing in integration and middleware at a financial services firm, notes the ease with which users can connect Mulesoft API Manager to their applications. He writes, “One good thing about MuleSoft is that they have a lot of connectors to those back-end applications. We don't really need to write code to be able to connect to a database or to connect with SAP. You just need credentials and the connectivity details. Most of the development of what we do is just drag and drop. They're able to connect with applications using standard connectors that are provided by ESB, by MuleSoft.”
The CEO & Co-Founder at a computer retailer notes the value of Mulesoft’s supporting documentation. They write, “The documentation is great; it is always up-to-date and well-presented. If any details are missing, then there is a blog available that contains a lot of details. There are also channels on YouTube to help you better understand the solution and what some of the processes look like.”
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