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IBM API Connect vs MuleSoft Anypoint Platform comparison

IBM and Salesforce are both solutions in the Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) category. IBM is ranked #8 with an average rating of 8.3, while Salesforce is ranked #2 with an average rating of 8.0. IBM holds a 2.8% mindshare in PaaS, compared to Salesforce’s 10.4% mindshare. Additionally, 90% of IBM users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 92% of Salesforce users who would recommend it.
IBM API Connect
Read 76 IBM API Connect reviews
  • 6,992 Views
  • 420 Comparison Views
90% willing to recommend
MuleSoft Anypoint Platform
Read 59 MuleSoft Anypoint Platform reviews
  • 11,570 Views
  • 2,430 Comparison Views
92% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jun 15, 2025

MuleSoft Anypoint Platform and IBM API Connect are prominent players in the integration platform market, specifically in API management and iPaaS. MuleSoft Anypoint Platform appears to have a competitive edge due to its user-friendliness and flexibility, while IBM API Connect is preferred for its security and governance capabilities.

Features: MuleSoft Anypoint Platform combines API management, iPaaS, and ESB functionalities. It offers a visual integration design and a wide range of connectors for diverse technologies and commercial products. In contrast, IBM API Connect boasts strong API management, lifecycle capabilities, and security features. It efficiently integrates with other IBM products and supports microservices, catering well to complex enterprise needs.

Room for Improvement: MuleSoft Anypoint Platform could enhance batch processing, streamline runtime management, and improve technical support and documentation. Users also find the pricing model to be challenging. IBM API Connect needs to improve its analytics, ease of administration, and integration with non-Java services. Additionally, improving documentation and installation processes, as well as addressing pricing concerns, would benefit users.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: MuleSoft Anypoint Platform is valued for its deployment flexibility across public, private, and hybrid clouds, although setup can be complex. While customer support is responsive, many rely on community resources due to documentation limitations. IBM API Connect offers similar deployment options but struggles with installation ease due to a complex setup and documentation. Its customer support is described as client-centric and responsive, though perceived as formal by some users.

Pricing and ROI: MuleSoft Anypoint Platform is often considered expensive with a complex licensing model, presenting challenges for small to medium businesses. It delivers high ROI by employing an API-led approach, reducing maintenance costs and promoting innovation. IBM API Connect also faces high-cost criticism, but when implemented effectively, offers features that justify expenses. Both platforms demonstrate strong ROI potential, especially for larger enterprises that can utilize their full capabilities.

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To learn more, read our detailed IBM API Connect vs. MuleSoft Anypoint Platform Report (Updated: July 2025).
Buyer's Guide
IBM API Connect vs. MuleSoft Anypoint Platform
July 2025
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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

ROI

Sentiment score
6.9
IBM API Connect enhances profitability and efficiency by reducing development time, improving security, and enabling seamless system integration.
Sentiment score
6.2
MuleSoft Anypoint Platform offers ROI by reducing costs, increasing innovation, and leveraging APIs, though pricing may challenge smaller companies.
Reducing development hours from eighty to four for an API was possible due to reusing existing scripts from DataPower.
For more quotes and insights, download the IBM API Connect report
No quotes available
For more quotes and insights, download the MuleSoft Anypoint Platform report
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
6.4
IBM API Connect support is proactive and expert but variable in speed, with regional availability challenges noted by users.
Sentiment score
6.6
MuleSoft Anypoint Platform offers responsive support, praised by premium users, though some find response times slow and use community resources.
Support is excellent when it comes to APIC.
For more quotes and insights, download the IBM API Connect report
The support team is responsive and helpful.
The Salesforce team offers different levels of support.
For more quotes and insights, download the MuleSoft Anypoint Platform report
AC
PD
SV
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
7.4
IBM API Connect offers excellent scalability through on-premise and cloud solutions, supporting enterprise-level operations and customization features.
Sentiment score
7.5
MuleSoft Anypoint Platform provides scalable cloud solutions, offering auto-scalability and varying costs, suitable for medium to large organizations.
With container versions, scaling up or down the gateways deployed into pods is a two to three-minute task for the operations team.
For more quotes and insights, download the IBM API Connect report
MuleSoft Anypoint Platform is quite scalable, and it meets our use cases with no issues preventing implementation.
MuleSoft provides the ability to scale, yet it is costly to do so.
For more quotes and insights, download the MuleSoft Anypoint Platform report
AC
PD
reviewer2591856 - PeerSpot reviewer
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
7.3
IBM API Connect is generally stable and reliable, especially in government and banking, despite occasional upgrade issues.
Sentiment score
7.7
MuleSoft Anypoint Platform is reliable, stable, with minimal issues, better on-prem scalability, handling low volumes well in large organizations.
The runtime engine for the APIC Gateway is still a DataPower component, which has been stable in the industry for about fifteen years.
For more quotes and insights, download the IBM API Connect report
No quotes available
For more quotes and insights, download the MuleSoft Anypoint Platform report
 

Room For Improvement

IBM API Connect needs better integration, automation, monitoring, documentation, and usability, facing issues in setup, costs, and support.
MuleSoft Anypoint Platform needs improvements in error handling, documentation, support, integration, AI, security, and interface for better performance.
Examples include the lack of connectivity to MQ.
For more quotes and insights, download the IBM API Connect report
MuleSoft is considered expensive, so pricing is a major concern.
Currently, it uses other standards, but adopting OpenAPI, the standard in the market, would be beneficial.
When dealing with multiple transactions or trading, the system can lose control, and tracking becomes hectic.
For more quotes and insights, download the MuleSoft Anypoint Platform report
AC
reviewer2591856 - PeerSpot reviewer
PD
SV
 

Setup Cost

IBM API Connect offers scalable solutions with high costs, suitable for large enterprises, available in SaaS and on-premise versions.
MuleSoft Anypoint Platform's pricing, though complex and costly, is justified by features but may deter smaller organizations.
Pricing depends on how many instances run across environments.
For more quotes and insights, download the IBM API Connect report
I do not know the specific costs, but given that it is part of MuleSoft, I suspect it is not cheap.
MuleSoft is considered one of the more expensive products in the market.
The platform reduces manual workload in maintaining infrastructure, but it does come with some cost considerations.
For more quotes and insights, download the MuleSoft Anypoint Platform report
AC
PD
reviewer2591856 - PeerSpot reviewer
SV
 

Valuable Features

IBM API Connect excels with strong security, integration, usability, analytics, flexibility, and scalability, enhancing API management and monetization.
MuleSoft Anypoint Platform excels in API management, hybrid integrations, and offers versatile deployment with strong monitoring and user-friendly interface.
It offers significant development efficiency, reducing man-hours from eighty to four when creating APIs.
For more quotes and insights, download the IBM API Connect report
MuleSoft Anypoint Platform helps to standardize data integration approaches, making it easier to implement integration projects.
The most valuable feature is the full lifecycle management, including Anypoint Designer and Exchange, as well as Discofolio API.
The platform is integrated with Salesforce, making it preferable when using Salesforce products.
For more quotes and insights, download the MuleSoft Anypoint Platform report
AC
PD
reviewer2591856 - PeerSpot reviewer
SV
 

Categories and Ranking

IBM API Connect
Ranking in Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS)
8th
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
6.6
Number of Reviews
76
Ranking in other categories
API Management (8th)
MuleSoft Anypoint Platform
Ranking in Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS)
2nd
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
6.7
Number of Reviews
59
Ranking in other categories
Message Queue (MQ) Software (4th), Business-to-Business Middleware (1st), Workload Automation (4th), Cloud Data Integration (4th)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of September 2025, in the Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) category, the mindshare of IBM API Connect is 2.8%, up from 1.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of MuleSoft Anypoint Platform is 10.4%, down from 14.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
MuleSoft Anypoint Platform10.4%
IBM API Connect2.8%
Other86.8%
Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS)
 

Featured Reviews

Shanmugasundaram Shanmuganathan - PeerSpot reviewer
Offers basic API orchestration and provides robust security and governance features
While Azure API Management offers configurable scalability, IBM API Connect relies on Kubernetes clusters. This might seem manual and require defining cluster instances upfront, but it's completely customizable and not on-the-fly scaling. It's completely custom-driven, not on-the-fly scaling, which some may consider cumbersome. Overall, I would rate the scalability an eight out of ten. Almost all applications we've been exposing lately go through this middleware, so it's used extensively. There are around sixty applications directly using it, but six Kubernetes clusters serve those applications. It's heavily used for integration, including system-to-system integration and product integrations. Our usage has been increasing year-on-year based on our needs.
Read full review
Mohan BS - PeerSpot reviewer
A useful tool to integrate applications and for data transformations that need to improve in the area of price and support
The main area where improvements are required in the product revolves around budgeting. The cost of the product is an area of concern where improvements are required, especially when compared to other tools, like Dell Boomi or Oracle. Mule Anypoint Platform is made available with many components, and whether users use them or not depends on their choices. For example, though there is a tool called Anypoint MQ, our organization prefers to pay and use Kafka, as we don't want to use MuleSoft Anypoint MQ. In Mule Anypoint Platform, there needs to be proper segregation to help users identify what they need and don't need, making it an area where users need to be careful when opting for MuleSoft. Mule Anypoint Platform is an integration tool and not an ETL solution. When a user has to deal with a huge number of data, then Mule Anypoint Platform should not be a preferred choice since it can only be used for lightweight purposes revolving around APIs. There is a need to have a clear architectural decision made before opting for Mule Anypoint Platform. When there is a requirement for heavy data transformation, then users need to decide whether to go with Mule Anypoint Platform or any other platform available in the market. Though the tool comes with many useful components, it depends on whether the user plans to use all of its features. Recently, the product has come up with a new feature that is similar to an API catalog. MuleSoft had come up with the UAPIM feature almost eight months to a year ago, which had some concerns in the area of budgeting. Whether you build APIs using Javacore or any other tools, they can be cataloged using MuleSoft's UAPIM feature, for which users need to pay an extra amount, making it an area of concern for users. It would be great if MuleSoft's support team could provide help with the area of Kubernetes.
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
19%
Insurance Company
12%
Computer Software Company
11%
Manufacturing Company
7%
Computer Software Company
13%
Financial Services Firm
13%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Government
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business19
Midsize Enterprise10
Large Enterprise58
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business21
Midsize Enterprise12
Large Enterprise29
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about IBM API Connect?
Publishers can easily identify, create, and publish APIs on the developer portal, defining plans, packages, and potentially billing rules.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for IBM API Connect?
Pricing depends on how many instances run across environments. I don't deal with licensing, but compared to other IBM products, the licensing is not significantly higher.
See all answers
What needs improvement with IBM API Connect?
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 ( /categories/message-queue-mq...
See all answers
What advice do you have for others considering Mule Anypoint Platform?
I architected solutions using Oracle SOA/OSB, Spring Boot, MuleSoft Anypoint Platform on cloud / on-premises and hybrid modes; What I see is though if you are an enterprise and have enough money th...
See all answers
How does TIBCO BusinessWorks compare with Mule Anypoint Platform?
Our organization ran comparison tests to determine whether TIBCO BusinessWorks or Mule Anypoint platform integration and connectivity software was the better fit for us. We decided to go with Mule...
See all answers
What can Mule Anypoint Platform be used for and what do you use it for most often?
This is a very flexible solution that comes with multiple uses. My organization mostly uses Mule Anypoint Platform for API management, as it lets us build new APIs easily and design new interfaces...
See all answers
 

Comparisons

IBM DataPower Gateway vs IBM API Connect Logo
IBM DataPower Gateway vs IBM API Connect
Compared 27% of the time
Apigee vs IBM API Connect Logo
Apigee vs IBM API Connect
Compared 20% of the time
Microsoft Azure API Management vs IBM API Connect Logo
Microsoft Azure API Management vs IBM API Connect
Compared 14% of the time
Amazon API Gateway vs IBM API Connect Logo
Amazon API Gateway vs IBM API Connect
Compared 6% of the time
WSO2 API Manager vs IBM API Connect Logo
WSO2 API Manager vs IBM API Connect
Compared 1% of the time
More IBM API Connect Competitors
Redwood RunMyJobs vs MuleSoft Anypoint Platform Logo
Redwood RunMyJobs vs MuleSoft Anypoint Platform
Compared 18% of the time
Tidal by Redwood vs MuleSoft Anypoint Platform Logo
Tidal by Redwood vs MuleSoft Anypoint Platform
Compared 7% of the time
IBM MQ vs MuleSoft Anypoint Platform Logo
IBM MQ vs MuleSoft Anypoint Platform
Compared 4% of the time
ActiveMQ vs MuleSoft Anypoint Platform Logo
ActiveMQ vs MuleSoft Anypoint Platform
Compared 4% of the time
Apache Kafka vs MuleSoft Anypoint Platform Logo
Apache Kafka vs MuleSoft Anypoint Platform
Compared 4% of the time
More MuleSoft Anypoint Platform Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
IBM API Connect
September 2025
IBM API Connect reportDownload IBM API Connect product report
Buyer's Guide
MuleSoft Anypoint Platform
August 2025
MuleSoft Anypoint Platform reportDownload MuleSoft Anypoint Platform product report
 

Also Known As

No data available
Data Integrator, Anypoint MQ
 

Overview

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.

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

MuleSoft Anypoint Platform provides API management and integration capabilities with scalability, ensuring seamless connectivity across systems.

MuleSoft Anypoint Platform offers API management and integration capabilities within a user-friendly interface. With a range of connectors and the ability to handle integration patterns, it enables data integration across environments with support for API-led connectivity. High scalability, observability, batch processing, and tooling are key features, enhancing performance while simplifying deployment.

What are the standout features of MuleSoft Anypoint Platform?
  • API Management: Comprehensive tools for managing APIs effectively.
  • Integration Capabilities: Facilitates diverse integration patterns.
  • Connectors: Extensive library for connecting various systems.
  • Observability: Enhances monitoring and performance tracking.
  • Batch Processing: Manages large volumes of data efficiently.
What benefits and ROI should users expect?
  • Scalability: Adaptable to growing data demands across platforms.
  • Performance: Simplifies complex deployments and improves processing.
  • Flexibility: Supports multiple environments, from cloud to on-premises.
  • User-Friendly: Streamlines integration processes with robust tools.

MuleSoft Anypoint Platform is employed by organizations for API management and seamless integration across systems in industries like retail and e-commerce. It connects enterprise applications in environments such as SAP and Salesforce. Users leverage it for data transformation and synchronization, achieving efficient real-time processing and a middleware layer across systems.

Salesforce
 

Sample Customers

Heineken, Tine, Finologee, Axis Bank
VMware, Gucci, MasterCard, Target, Time Inc, Hershey's, Tesla, Spotify, Office Depot, Intuit, CBS, Amtrak, Salesforce, Gap, Ralph Lauren
Buyer's Guide
IBM API Connect vs. MuleSoft Anypoint Platform
July 2025
Free Report: IBM API Connect vs. MuleSoft Anypoint Platform
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