# Apache APISIX: Free Open Source Alternative to Amazon API Gateway, Apigee, Kong

Canonical: https://caniforkit.com/fork/apache-apisix
Last updated: 2026-11-07

Apache APISIX (Open Source, Open Source) replaces Amazon API Gateway, Apigee, Kong, MuleSoft. Apache APISIX is an open-source API gateway built on NGINX and etcd, offering dynamic routing, 100+ plugins, load balancing, authentication, and traffic management for APIs and LLM workloads.

## Tool Specifications
- **Tool Name**: Apache APISIX
- **Type**: Open Source Project
- **License**: Open Source
- **Official Website**: https://apisix.apache.org/
- **GitHub Repository**: https://github.com/apache/apisix
- **GitHub Stars**: ★ 17.3k
- **Runs On**: Self-host
- **Maintenance Status**: nov 2026
- **Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host
- **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/apache/apisix or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup Requirements**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- **The Catch / Limitation**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Amazon API Gateway.

## Paid SaaS Applications Replaced (4)
Replacing these paid tools with Apache APISIX saves up to $100/mo ($1,200/yr) in software subscriptions:

| Replaced Software | Category | SaaS Price | Comparison Guide |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Amazon API Gateway](https://caniforkit.com/amazon-api-gateway) | [dev tools](https://caniforkit.com/category/dev-tools) | $25/mo | [Compare Amazon API Gateway vs Apache APISIX](https://caniforkit.com/vs/amazon-api-gateway-vs-apache-apisix) |
| [Apigee](https://caniforkit.com/apigee) | [dev tools](https://caniforkit.com/category/dev-tools) | $25/mo | [Compare Apigee vs Apache APISIX](https://caniforkit.com/vs/apigee-vs-apache-apisix) |
| [Kong](https://caniforkit.com/kong) | [dev tools](https://caniforkit.com/category/dev-tools) | $25/mo | [Compare Kong vs Apache APISIX](https://caniforkit.com/vs/kong-vs-apache-apisix) |
| [MuleSoft](https://caniforkit.com/mulesoft) | [dev tools](https://caniforkit.com/category/dev-tools) | $25/mo | [Compare MuleSoft vs Apache APISIX](https://caniforkit.com/vs/mulesoft-vs-apache-apisix) |

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is Apache APISIX free and open source?
Apache APISIX is an open source tool licensed under Open Source that runs on self-host. Apache APISIX is an open-source API gateway built on NGINX and etcd, offering dynamic routing, 100+ plugins, load balancing, authentication, and traffic management for APIs and LLM workloads.

### What is the trade-off or limitation of using Apache APISIX?
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Amazon API Gateway.

## Related

- [Self-Hosted Open Source Directory](https://caniforkit.com/self-hosted)
- [All Paid SaaS Alternatives Index](https://caniforkit.com/alternatives)
- [Software Categories Directory](https://caniforkit.com/categories)
- [Homepage](https://caniforkit.com)