

IBM DataPower Gateway and WSO2 API Manager are both significant players in the API management industry, each offering distinct advantages. Based on user feedback, WSO2 API Manager seems to have an upper hand due to its open-source flexibility and cost-effectiveness, making it particularly appealing to smaller enterprises.
Features: IBM DataPower Gateway is renowned for high-security capabilities, allowing for multiple protocol handling and integration options. It provides comprehensive threat detection and compliance features that are crucial for enterprises. WSO2 API Manager stands out for its adaptability due to its open-source nature. This enables extensive customization and seamless integration suited for dynamic business environments.
Room for Improvement: IBM DataPower Gateway could enhance user experience by simplifying integration processes and reducing costs for broader usage. Users also encounter challenges with complex maintenance and restricted programming language support. For WSO2 API Manager, improvements are desired in user interface navigation and making customization more user-friendly. Additionally, better technical support and clearer licensing terms are suggested.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: IBM DataPower Gateway typically receives deployment in on-premises or hybrid cloud settings, offering reliable customer support, albeit with some complexity in technical assistance. WSO2 API Manager excels in offering flexible deployment options, favorably serving those in public cloud environments, while users indicate a need for better support within the open-source community and improved setup documentation.
Pricing and ROI: IBM DataPower Gateway is seen as costly but yields significant ROI in certain enterprise applications, deterring some smaller organizations due to high prices. On the contrary, WSO2 API Manager, with its open-source model, provides a more economical solution for small to medium-sized businesses, delivering overall favorable value, especially given its pricing flexibility, despite some additional costs for enterprise features.
We count the number of hits and can say we earn and actually get the benefit from it.
In terms of OEM support, it is poor.
I would evaluate customer service and technical support as a little bit weak, so I give it a seven out of ten.
The support is good, with well-defined documentation and helpful blogs.
Once you install the product, we can't scale the resources on the IBM DataPower Gateway.
IBM DataPower Gateway does not handle all the traffic on a single node.
The system is stable for our low-concurrency use cases.
If we require additional features, we can't configure them on the IBM DataPower Gateway.
Whenever I am writing code, it should give recommendations automatically by incorporating AI so I can write the code in a few minutes or seconds.
My experience with the pricing of this product is that pricing is too high and should be reduced.
Our integrations do not handle high-volume transactions.
I think it costs around 5 Crore in Indian Rupees.
No other Gateway offers this as part of the integration offering.
As per the development perspective, there are some limitations with IBM DataPower Gateway because it only supports XML and XSLT language, but it does not support the Java language.
IBM DataPower Gateway has positively impacted my organization by allowing me to implement rate limits on the different API usage, which is the benefit.
The product's capabilities for integrating with REST APIs are valuable.
| Product | Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| WSO2 API Manager | 4.3% |
| IBM DataPower Gateway | 3.2% |
| Other | 92.5% |


| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 11 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 2 |
| Large Enterprise | 17 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 14 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 7 |
| Large Enterprise | 21 |
IBM DataPower Gateway is a robust, secure next-generation enterprise-grade single multichannel API gateway that supplies dynamic access, integration, control, and outstanding security. The solution is available in a broad range of workload capabilities, including application programming interface (API), service oriented architecture (SOA), B2B, cloud, web, and mobile. These dynamic capabilities ensure users are able to quickly increase the reach of an organization's critical IT resources to new channels, which will provide shareholders, team members, and clients with safe, secure access at all times.
DataPower Gateway is very flexible and is widely available in virtual, cloud, traditional, physical, Docker, and Linux form factors.
IBM DataPower Gateway Features
IBM DataPower Gateway has many value-added features. Some of these features are included below:
IBM DataPower Gateway Benefits
IBM DataPower Gateway provides many benefits. Some of those benefits include:
Reviews from Real Users
“My company has a good impression of IBM DataPower Gateway. What I like about it is that because it's an appliance, it's a turnkey solution that's very fast and out of the box. Another valuable feature of IBM DataPower Gateway is that it's easy to integrate with other products.”- Bálint T., Solution Manager at Intalion
“You don't have to have a separate DMC proxy because DataPower Gateway is an appliance and will take care of a lot of security features. These include data validations, encryption, as well as XML or any type of scripting or security threats that are present. From a security point of view, being an appliance in the DMC zone, IBM DataPower Gateway will take care of the entire security angle for the infrastructure.” - Sathyan K., Founder/Director at perfTech Solutions Pvt Ltd
WSO2 API Manager provides a flexible, open-source platform for API management, focusing on scalability, containerization, and ease of use in API publication, management, and lifecycle processes.
With robust security and strong integration capabilities, WSO2 API Manager supports microservices and API orchestration. Its advanced features include OAuth2 and identity access management, enhancing deployment, development, and operational efficiency. While praised for adaptability, users suggest improvements in installation, user interface simplicity, third-party integration, and documentation. Enhanced support, security, and expanded monitoring are also recommended alongside better module coordination and navigation. Performance optimization and refined caching mechanisms are valuable areas for growth.
What are the key features of WSO2 API Manager?
What benefits should users expect in reviews?
Enterprises utilize WSO2 API Manager for managing APIs in sectors such as banking, telecom, and SmartCity projects. Serving as a digital hub, it enables efficient API publication for internal and external users, ensuring effective API documentation and version control. Its flexibility in API management supports digital integration and service orchestration.
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