IBM API Connect vs. MuleSoft Anypoint Platform

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
IBM API Connect
Score 8.9 out of 10
N/A
IBM API Connect is a scalable API solution that helps organizations implement a robust API strategy by creating, exposing, managing and monetizing an entire API ecosystem across multiple clouds. As businesses embrace their digital transformation journey, APIs become critical to unlock the value of business data and assets. With increasing adoption of APIs, consistency and governance are needed across the enterprise. API Connect aims to help businesses…
$83
per month
Anypoint Platform
Score 8.1 out of 10
N/A
The Anypoint Platform developed by MuleSoft and acquired by Salesforce in early 2018 is designed to connect apps, data, and devices anywhere, on-premises or in the cloud. This platform was built to offer out-of-the-box connectors as well as tools that architects and developers can adopt quickly to design, build and manage the entire lifecycle of their APIs, applications, and products.N/A
Pricing
IBM API ConnectMuleSoft Anypoint Platform
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
IBM API ConnectAnypoint Platform
Free Trial
YesYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoYes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
IBM API ConnectMuleSoft Anypoint Platform
Considered Both Products
IBM API Connect
Chose IBM API Connect
Prior to adopting IBM API Connect, there were two main competitors, MuleSoft. Although in the integration capabilities MuleSoft seemed to have an advantage, and regarding developer experience, IBM API Connect had a set of enterprise features for the API management.
Chose IBM API Connect
Mulesoft seemed to take a lot longer to implement and reach any real ROI attribution. For the other competitors, I'd say they are easier to administrate, but this isn't as important to us as a business user. It was easier to explore APIs with IBM than it was with others.
Chose IBM API Connect
IBM API Connect is easier to use and develop API flows. The developer community and IBM Support are outstanding compared to other peers.
Anypoint Platform
Chose MuleSoft Anypoint Platform
Mulesoft is a more modern, flexible, and faster-performing integration suite than traditional providers.
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
IBM API ConnectMuleSoft Anypoint Platform
API Management
Comparison of API Management features of Product A and Product B
IBM API Connect
8.5
41 Ratings
3% above category average
MuleSoft Anypoint Platform
-
Ratings
API access control9.041 Ratings00 Ratings
Rate limits and usage policies8.836 Ratings00 Ratings
API usage data8.640 Ratings00 Ratings
API user onboarding8.741 Ratings00 Ratings
API versioning8.241 Ratings00 Ratings
Usage billing and payments7.831 Ratings00 Ratings
API monitoring and logging8.741 Ratings00 Ratings
Cloud Data Integration
Comparison of Cloud Data Integration features of Product A and Product B
IBM API Connect
-
Ratings
MuleSoft Anypoint Platform
7.2
12 Ratings
11% below category average
Pre-built connectors00 Ratings8.012 Ratings
Connector modification00 Ratings7.512 Ratings
Support for real-time and batch integration00 Ratings7.512 Ratings
Data quality services00 Ratings6.012 Ratings
Data security features00 Ratings7.012 Ratings
Monitoring console00 Ratings7.512 Ratings
Best Alternatives
IBM API ConnectMuleSoft Anypoint Platform
Small Businesses
NGINX
NGINX
Score 9.2 out of 10
Make
Make
Score 9.3 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
NGINX
NGINX
Score 9.2 out of 10
Make
Make
Score 9.3 out of 10
Enterprises
NGINX
NGINX
Score 9.2 out of 10
IBM App Connect
IBM App Connect
Score 9.6 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
IBM API ConnectMuleSoft Anypoint Platform
Likelihood to Recommend
8.7
(41 ratings)
8.3
(22 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
7.5
(3 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Usability
8.4
(32 ratings)
7.0
(2 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
6.8
(4 ratings)
User Testimonials
IBM API ConnectMuleSoft Anypoint Platform
Likelihood to Recommend
IBM
Overall, it can be stated that IBM API Connect has many benefits and can easily manage complicated integrations. The platform performs best in large environments, especially where microservices and processing of multiple API dependencies are required. On average, we have processed thousands of API calls within a second with good response time.
Read full review
Salesforce
MuleSoft Anypoint Platform is best tool in the market for developing APIs with complex structures communicating with various different types of applications including web applications as well as legacy applications. Also applications including database connectivity for fetching and updating data in the DB tables. I cant think of any scenario which MuleSoft Anypoint Platform could not be used for developing the integrations.
Read full review
Pros
IBM
  • API discovery feature is very helpful to allow us to scope the work required before diving into things.
  • The ability to set permissions and rulesets at a user level is essential to restrict access to specific datasets.
  • Ability for external users (those from outside our organisation) to leverage the API in more restrictive manner.
Read full review
Salesforce
  • API Manager provides easy API Policy Governance. You do not have to manage multiple platforms for managing the policies.
  • Supports hybrid Mule EBS environments. You can configure both CouldHub-based and on-premise-based API using Mulesoft API manager in a similar manner.
  • It's very easy to implement API proxy.
  • User friendly UI.
  • Single platform to manage all.
Read full review
Cons
IBM
  • Improvement can come in the interface of the tool, which is sometimes complex and requires a deep understanding of the tool.
  • Improving the different levels of access to the playroom could be helpful because product owners and developers need to see other information.
  • Publishing API and integration of API can be more straightforward.
Read full review
Salesforce
  • Has more features than what we really need so we're paying for more than we use. Sort of like paying for an Abrams tank when all we really need is a Toyota Corolla.
  • Not a value product, tends to be expensive.
  • Takes a while for developers to learn to use Mulesoft Anypoint.
Read full review
Usability
IBM
I have given an 8 out of 10 rating because I believe multiple authentication security techniques, such as OAUTH, MTLS, JWK, etc., are supported out of the box for APIs. A single interface may be used for API development, automation, and administration, ensuring security and boosting productivity. Highly regarded compared to its rivals, indicating that it has provided good service over time. Although It takes a lot of time and effort to set up initially. However, once everything is set up, it is quite simple to administer, especially because there is only one interface to utilize. This makes it very straightforward to handle.
Read full review
Salesforce
MuleSoft Anypoint Platform is really very easy to adopt for application integration. Simple UI and easy data weave language allows user to focus on business portion only. The API management and deployment of application are hassle free.
Read full review
Support Rating
IBM
No answers on this topic
Salesforce
Anypoint Platform support is very responsive. There is also a huge knowledge base and an active online forum where answers to most questions can be found. When needed support engages the engineering group so adequate solutions or workarounds are always provided.
Read full review
Alternatives Considered
IBM
IBM API Connect and Apigee are both robust API management platforms. IBM API Connect was selected for its strong integration capabilities, hybrid cloud deployment options, and comprehensive analytics. It aligns well with organizations seeking flexibility and control over their API ecosystems, especially when dealing with complex integration scenarios across diverse environments.
Read full review
Salesforce
Once we have moved all of our system integration APIs to the MuleSoft Anypoint Platform, we will need to communicate with a wide variety of external systems. All of our business and service logic is stored in the aforementioned core systems. Anypoint Platform (and all of our APIs) makes it easy to connect to various other platforms. In order to link to these many other systems, connectors and/or components are utilized, and they are simple to configure and integrate.
Read full review
Return on Investment
IBM
  • Centralizing on an API management platform was imperative. Being able to support SOAP UIs as well as REST APIs was required. Because of the tooling, service inventory and provisioning can be managed - regardless of the pricing and cost structures are used.
  • Constructing plans that provide tiering options based on rate limits help in onboarding new consumers. The lesser cost in onboarding through an API gateway outweighs the cost of modifying/configuring an API to handle multiple clients.
  • Defining guidance and onboarding practices while rolling out the product also helps in the adoption, reference architecture, and governance that can save your company money.
Read full review
Salesforce
  • Mulesoft can be used to provide an integration platform to a large number of systems like Salesforce, ODBC, JDBC, SAP, Mongo DB, etc.
  • An excellent option to develop microservices and real-time integrations.
  • Not as robust in handling large data volumes, Informatica is better in that respect.
Read full review
ScreenShots

IBM API Connect Screenshots

Screenshot of API tests and insightsScreenshot of API Manager customization interfaceScreenshot of the API designer

Anypoint Platform Screenshots

Screenshot of Connect any endpoints using out-of-the-box connectors, dynamic connectivity to API specifications, or by building reusable connectors with Anypoint DevKit™.Screenshot of A reporting suite that provides a real-time view of API consumption trends and operational performance. Analytics provides insight into how your API is being used and informs forward-looking design decisions.Screenshot of A platform to engage with API developers and drive adoption. Share documentation, examples and manage developer access from a single platform.