Zuplo vs
WSO2 API Manager
The Modern Enterprise API Gateway for Teams Replatforming Off WSO2
What's wrong with WSO2 API Manager
WSO2 API Manager's key limitations for modern engineering teams
The forces driving enterprises off WSO2 API Manager in 2026 — operational tax, plugin sprawl, retrofitted AI, and pricing that doesn't predict.
Heavyweight Java and Kubernetes Operating Model
Production deployment requires Java runtime, Kubernetes cluster, databases, JKS keystore configuration, and ongoing patching across Publisher, Portal, Gateway, Traffic Manager, and Key Manager.
Mediation-Sequence Policy Framework
Custom logic via Java mediation sequences and the WSO2 Carbon framework. Specialist skills required and not naturally Git-native.
Opaque Enterprise Pricing
No public pricing for commercial subscriptions. Total cost of ownership combines licensing with significant infrastructure and operational overhead.
Why Zuplo
Built for teams replatforming off WSO2 API Manager
Managed, modern API management with predictable economics across procurement cycles — no operator overhead, no plugin sprawl, no consumption-pricing surprises.
Compliance and Audit Readiness
First-class managed compliance vs. compliance tied to customer deployment.
Enterprise Identity (SSO + RBAC)
Direct SAML/SCIM with project-level RBAC vs. additional Identity Server component.
Managed Dedicated Deployment
Managed dedicated across major clouds vs. self-hosted operations or Choreo managed offering.
A solutions architect can walk you through your current WSO2 API Manager setup, surface the biggest operational tax, and map a migration path — no slide deck required.
Enterprise ready
Production-ready for regulated and high-volume workloads
Compliance & Audit
- SOC 2 Type II audited annually
- Third-party penetration test reports available under NDA
- GDPR-aligned data processing
- Audit logs across the control plane
- API governance with policy enforcement
Identity & Access
- SAML SSO and SCIM provisioning
- Role-based access control across organizations, projects, and environments
- Service-account credentials with scoped permissions
- API key metadata for downstream authorization
Deployment Flexibility
- Managed edge across 300+ locations — global by default
- Managed dedicated single-tenant on AWS, Azure, GCP, Akamai, or any major cloud
- Self-hosted on Kubernetes with full control plane
- Bring-your-own-cloud for data residency requirements
Support & Success
- Up to 30-minute response SLA on Enterprise
- 24/7/365 emergency hotline for critical incidents
- Named technical account manager
- Architecture and migration professional services
Built for the AI era
Built for AI agents, MCP, and token-aware traffic
WSO2's mediation-sequence framework was designed for enterprise integration patterns. Token-aware routing, MCP-native architecture, and agentic auth are not first-class. Zuplo's AI Gateway is purpose-built.
Unified AI Gateway
Multi-provider model routing, semantic caching, prompt injection protection, budget and token controls, auto-failover.
MCP Gateway
Turn any API into a remote MCP server, or govern third-party MCP servers behind a single managed gateway.
Agentic auth and identity
Per-agent API keys, scoped credentials, and dynamic per-call policies.
Token economics built in
Per-token metering, per-customer model budgets, Stripe-native monetization.
See it in action
See Zuplo running on your stack
A 30-minute working session with a Zuplo solutions engineer. Bring an OpenAPI spec or a Kong route definition and walk away with a working preview.
Side by side
Feature-by-feature comparison
Migration path
Migrating from WSO2 to Zuplo
OpenAPI specs export from WSO2 Publisher and import directly into Zuplo. Mediation sequences map to Zuplo TypeScript policies. WSO2 Micro Integrator can stay in place for backend integration if needed.
Inventory APIs and policies
Catalog APIs, mediation sequences, plans, and applications in WSO2 API Manager.
Foundation deployment
Stand up Zuplo Enterprise on managed dedicated deployment, configure SSO/SCIM, RBAC, audit log destinations, and CI/CD wiring.
Policy and consumer migration
Translate mediation sequences (auth, rate limiting, transforms) to Zuplo TypeScript policies. Migrate applications and API keys via the Zuplo Developer API.
Cut-over and decommission
Move primary traffic to Zuplo with weighted routing, validate SLOs, then decommission WSO2 components. Micro Integrator can remain for backend integration when needed.
Routes & specs
Direct OpenAPI import
WSO2 API Manager plugins
Map to TypeScript policies
Migration phases
Typical production cut-over in 8–14 weeks
Inventory APIs and policies
Catalog APIs, mediation sequences, plans, and applications in WSO2 API Manager.
2 wksPlan lockedFoundation deployment
Stand up Zuplo Enterprise on managed dedicated deployment, configure SSO/SCIM, RBAC, audit log destinations, and CI/CD wiring.
2 wksFoundation livePolicy and consumer migration
Translate mediation sequences (auth, rate limiting, transforms) to Zuplo TypeScript policies. Migrate applications and API keys via the Zuplo Developer API.
4 wksSide-by-sideCut-over and decommission
Move primary traffic to Zuplo with weighted routing, validate SLOs, then decommission WSO2 components. Micro Integrator can remain for backend integration when needed.
2 wksCut-over done
What our customers say
Trusted by engineering teams at scale
90%
Hardware footprint reduction at scale
"The move to Zuplo from our existing API Management vendor was easy, taking just over 2 months to switch mission critical systems, and we're saving over 70% on costs."
Ryan Waites
Senior Director, Blockdaemon
"Zuplo gives us the flexibility to scale efficiently, ensures security and compliance, and reduces operational complexity so we can focus on building new capabilities."
Daryl Benzel
Staff Software Engineer, Yext
1B+
End users served via Zuplo APIs
Hours
To launch MCP server on regulated APIs
"We didn't touch a line of code, it's just plug and play. The results were very surprising, in just a couple of hours we had a great result and a fully working MCP Server."
Miguel Madeira
CTO & Co-Founder, Finsolutia
Trusted for regulated and high-volume workloads
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Zuplo vs WSO2 API Manager.
Ready to talk to an expert?
Book a call with a solutions architect for a tailored walkthrough — SOC 2 controls, dedicated deployment, AI Gateway, and enterprise support. Or start free and explore the platform yourself.