IBM DataPower Gateway vs Zend PHP Engine comparison

IBM and Zend are both solutions in the Application Infrastructure category. IBM is ranked #7 with an average rating of 8.2, while Zend is ranked #15 with an average rating of 7.5. IBM holds a 3.3% mindshare in AIS, compared to Zend’s 1.7% mindshare. Additionally, 96% of IBM users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Zend users who would recommend it.

IBM DataPower Gateway

Read 31 IBM DataPower Gateway reviews

5,122 Views
615 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

Zend PHP Engine

Read 11 Zend PHP Engine reviews

496 Views
496 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

IBM DataPower Gateway

Zend PHP Engine

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 5, 2025

Zend PHP Engine and IBM DataPower Gateway are products in application development and network security, respectively. IBM DataPower Gateway seems to have the upper hand due to its superior feature set, particularly in secure API management and enterprise security capabilities.

Features: Zend PHP Engine optimizes PHP performance, supports PHP applications widely, and offers a robust environment for PHP development. IBM DataPower Gateway provides secure API management, advanced threat protection, and network traffic control, making it suitable for complex enterprise settings.

Room for Improvement: Zend PHP Engine could enhance its security features and integrate better with non-PHP environments. It may also require improved scalability for large applications. IBM DataPower Gateway could benefit from simplifying its deployment process, improving user interface intuitiveness, and offering more cost-efficient solutions for smaller businesses.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Zend PHP Engine is recognized for its straightforward deployment and strong customer support, making integration into PHP applications seamless. IBM DataPower Gateway's deployment can be complex but is balanced with comprehensive documentation and support for intricate setups, emphasizing security.

Pricing and ROI: Zend PHP Engine is cost-effective with affordable setup costs and offers a good return on investment for PHP development. IBM DataPower Gateway has a higher initial cost but provides significant ROI through its extensive features and ability to handle enterprise security demands, potentially offsetting the higher expenses over time.

To learn more, read our detailed IBM DataPower Gateway vs. Zend PHP Engine Report (Updated: December 2025).

Buyer's Guide

IBM DataPower Gateway vs. Zend PHP Engine

December 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:

Categories and Ranking

IBM DataPower Gateway

Ranking in Application Infrastructure

7th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) (5th), SOA Application Gateways (1st), API Management (11th)

Zend PHP Engine

Ranking in Application Infrastructure

15th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

7.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2026, in the Application Infrastructure category, the mindshare of IBM DataPower Gateway is 3.3%, down from 4.4% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Zend PHP Engine is 1.7%, up from 1.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Application Infrastructure Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
IBM DataPower Gateway	3.3%
Zend PHP Engine	1.7%
Other	95.0%

Application Infrastructure

Featured Reviews

AkshaySawant

Manager at CSB Bank Ltd

Security features excel but development limitations emerge

We are using the IBM DataPower Gateway for security purposes. 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. This is the only limitation of the IBM DataPower Gateway. For the authentication and authorization purpose, we can use the IBM DataPower Gateway. It's a very good product. We are mostly using the IBM DataPower Gateway for security purposes and load balancing purposes. If we are handling the load for a particular server, then we can use the IBM DataPower Gateway. The IBM DataPower Gateway is mostly used for security purposes. If we have some APIs and we are using some security for those APIs, then we can use it. It can also be used as a load balancer. It's also used for certificate management, user management purposes, authentication, and authorization. For routing, the IBM DataPower Gateway has multiple URL-based routing and content-based routing capabilities. If we have multiple URLs, then we can use an XML script. Using the XSLT language, we can configure multiple URLs and implement URL-based routing. Content-based routing means if we have multiple requests, we can route the request to a particular URL. For this, we need to use the XSLT language only. We can't use XML, Java, or other scripting languages. With IBM DataPower Gateway, we are using all the APIs. All APIs have been configured on the gateway. We have configured the particular TLS profile and some TLS client profiles as well. Using that TLS profile, we have configured the APIs and authentication. We have configured some tokens also, including JWT tokens and different types of auth tokens. There is also a rate limiting feature which we use for handling API loads.

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SatyendraGupta

External Consultant (Digital Tool Developer and Intervention Specialist) at IQVIA

The fact that it is available open-source is the best feature

The fact that it is available open-source is the best feature. A general scripting language should be further developed and should be embedded into it. I have been Zend PHP Engine for nine years. Multiple people are using the solution. Overall, I rate the solution a seven out of ten.…

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Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"I like the tool's security. Also, all functionalities are integrated within on platform."

"It can look for the various security threats, productions, payload scanning, and perform routing based on the content type."

"The solution is very easy to work with."

"The performance is good. It's been very stable."

"I like the API Gateway feature."

"We are mostly using the IBM DataPower Gateway for security purposes and load balancing purposes."

"The API Connect gateway service and the SQL injection feature is good."

"The solution is scalable, our customers are mostly South African banks and they handle mostly transactions with this solution."

More IBM DataPower Gateway pros

"Zend Engine gives the flexibility to use external modules to easily expand the functionalities you need for your web project."

"Zend Engine is the core of PHP. It makes PHP fast, efficient, and basically, the language of choice for web applications."

"The most valuable feature of this solution is the speed at which it compiles and sends the dynamic cache."

"We have not encountered issues with scalability as long as we effectively use caching to optimize performance of our web applications as well as a proper use of database connectivity."

"Zend PHP Engine is a good tool for developing and collecting data, offering strong performance."

"Zend PHP Engine is more secure than any other framework, and I usually prefer Zend PHP Engine for big applications."

"Faster web app implementation, when PHP dev is required by customers."

"The solution's initial setup process is easy."

More Zend PHP Engine pros

Cons

"Additional documentation needs to be provided for complex automations."

"We are always looking for more features wherein it could be easily integrated with cloud applications. We are looking for either a cloud solution or a cloud integration option."

"The solution requires a lot of training manuals in order to get to know it better and to be able to use it effectively."

"Traceability could be improved, especially for business operations. The traceability of the transactions could be an improvement point for DataPower to work on. It would be better if they provided JSON support. JSON protocol data has changed format. It started performing internal transformation to JSONx. This might be an additional complexity."

"My experience with the pricing of this product is that pricing is too high and should be reduced."

"Some pre-packaged connectors for integration with various applications, such as SaaS offerings, would be a useful addition."

"Its support services could be better."

"IBM DataPower Gateway is quite big for smaller organizations, looking at different types of clients who are virtually assisted in this, I would say it's not really a good product for smaller firms."

More IBM DataPower Gateway cons

"SQL queries have always been an issue with PHP, especially if you use large tables, which require caution from the side of the developer."

"A general scripting language should be further developed and should be embedded into it."

"Its object oriented programming language needs improvement."

"Although it offers a complete environment to develop and deploy PHP applications, it has some limitations. For example, when the volume of data increased exponentially, I had problems scaling the system."

"Integrating AI tools would make PHP more competitive, as other tools already have AI features."

"The process of installing and configuring the product is a bit complex and could be improved."

"The solution can be quicker."

"The biggest problem with PHP is you have to write lot of conditions or have to use a framework."

More Zend PHP Engine cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The tool's initial costing is expensive for small banks and financial institutions."

"It is an expensive solution."

"The licensing cost is very expensive."

"Most customers' use case budgets are not inlined with the price of IBM DataPower Gateway. It is too expensive."

"The solution is expensive in comparison to other products."

"As far as I know, they have a perpetual license for this product. They are paying perpetual fees rather than an annual subscription or annual pricing."

"The solution has a return on investment but is a little expensive."

"The appliance is a bit on the expensive side for the workloads that are not too high."

More IBM DataPower Gateway pricing and cost advice

"The solution is open source and you just pay for the server cost."

"No problem with pricing and licensing, as tools are open source. You have to consider training cost, mindset setup cost, as part of the TCO."

"Its pricing depends on the number of users."

"The Zend PHP engine is open source technology, so there's no need for us to worry about licensing or other costs."

"Zend PHP Engine is not an expensive solution."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

29%

Insurance Company

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

No data available

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	11
Midsize Enterprise	2
Large Enterprise	17

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	9
Large Enterprise	2

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about IBM DataPower Gateway?

The MPGW (Multi-Protocol Gateway) is great because it allows you to easily expose services using various protocols – web services, REST (JSON), and others. This flexibility simplifies things.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for IBM DataPower Gateway?

This product is definitely expensive because if any issue occurs in the live environment or production environment, and our organization faces some issue with the IBM DataPower Gateway, then the IB...

See all answers

What needs improvement with IBM DataPower Gateway?

The developer portal should be an integrated part of IBM DataPower Gateway to improve it. I think it is fine as is, and maybe no other additional features should be included in the next release. My...

See all answers

What do you like most about Zend PHP Engine?

The fact that it is available open-source is the best feature.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Zend PHP Engine?

PHP is an open-source solution.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Zend PHP Engine?

Integrating AI tools would make PHP more competitive, as other tools already have AI features.

See all answers

Comparisons

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Compared 40% of the time

Apigee vs IBM DataPower Gateway

Compared 7% of the time

Kong Gateway Enterprise vs IBM DataPower Gateway

Compared 5% of the time

Amazon API Gateway vs IBM DataPower Gateway

Compared 4% of the time

Microsoft Azure API Management vs IBM DataPower Gateway

Compared 3% of the time

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NGINX Plus vs Zend PHP Engine

Compared 58% of the time

Apache Web Server vs Zend PHP Engine

Compared 42% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

IBM DataPower Gateway

January 2026

Download IBM DataPower Gateway product report

Buyer's Guide

Application Infrastructure

January 2026

Download Zend PHP Engine product report

Also Known As

WebSphere DataPower, IBM DataPower, IBM WebSphere DataPower

PHP Engine

Overview

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:

Control: The solution provides decision point authorization and authentication for all standards, including Lightweight Direct Access Protocol (LDAP) and Open Authorization (OAuth), which allow for better access control across an organization’s entire network.
DataPower dashboard: The dashboard is specifically designed to enhance performance and determine problematic processes. The solution provides intuitive real-time performance transparency to diagnose operational and performance anomalies and offer repair and restoration recommendations.
Enhanced messaging: Users are able to easily mediate messaging and protocols by incorporating the best of today’s traditional and modern application standards.
Integration: IBM DataPower Gateway offers super fast mainframe connectivity, database connectivity, transport protocol bridging, content-based routing, and any-to-any message transformation, ensuring secure and immediate connect service.

IBM DataPower Gateway Benefits

IBM DataPower Gateway provides many benefits. Some of those benefits include:

Flexibility: The solution is easy to use and configure and provides for a pleasant, intuitive overall user experience. The solution can immediately be used out of the box, which makes overall process management simple.
Protection: The solution provides sturdy continuous service protection and application performance using robust powerful routing and traffic control.
Security: The solution’s enterprise-grade De-Militarized Zone (DMZ) ready gateway enables users to enforce the desired runtime application security across all messaging protocols.
Profitability: The solution’s design ensures significant reduction of development costs in addition to the streamlining of overall operations. Users are able to achieve reduced total cost of ownership (TCO) and experience a near-immediate ROI.

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

IBM

The Zend PHP Engine is designed to optimize PHP code and improve performance, making it a popular choice for web developers. It is easy to use, stable, does not require a lot of code, is open source, and only requires payment for server costs. The initial setup is straightforward, and there is no real need to set up the solution because it's built into the deployment.

Zend

Sample Customers

RBL Bank, Availity

Cisco

Buyer's Guide

IBM DataPower Gateway vs. Zend PHP Engine

December 2025

Free Report: IBM DataPower Gateway vs. Zend PHP Engine

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