IBM API Connect is better but comes at a cost
September 27, 2023

IBM API Connect is better but comes at a cost

Angus Bagchee | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with IBM API Connect

API Connect is the main API gateway instrument we utilize for majority of our APIs. It provides discoverability, security, reuse and scalability we need with our interfaces. While the setup time is a bit high, it offers a consistent pipeline for our services. It allows us to provide the level of authentication and authorization, even in a hybrid environment.

Pros

  • Security - well integrated with both AAD, Okta and TDS
  • Reliability - ensures services are scaling well with load balancing
  • Consistency - Allowed for a standardized way to host services across various platforms and tech stacks

Cons

  • Steep learning curve - not sure why all IBM docs avoid pictures in their help documentation. Instead, everything is painfully described in words. Use pictures. Use short videos.
  • Templates for repeatable API configurations will help speed up adoption.
  • Consistent API lifecycle management
  • Works smoothly with multiple user authentication mechanisms
  • Expensive, leading us to look for alternate ways of hosting services.
Documentation is dry and devoid of any pictures with loads of words and jargon endemic to IBM. This makes it very hard to adopt and step learning curve. Use pictures, not words, flow/sequence/state diagrams instead of wordy thesis to describe things. Not sure why IBM has this issue with their documentation - it is as if we’re still living in the times where “man pages” need to spit out just words on a green screen terminal. Hope IBM gets to use this feedback - use generative AI to fix and update documentation.
IBM API CONNECT competitors have the following advantages:

  • Cost advantage
  • Better user pool
  • Better documentation
  • Easier onboarding
Trans are constantly evaluating if they can avoid vendor lock-in with IBM.

Do you think IBM API Connect delivers good value for the price?

No

Are you happy with IBM API Connect's feature set?

Yes

Did IBM API Connect live up to sales and marketing promises?

I wasn't involved with the selection/purchase process

Did implementation of IBM API Connect go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy IBM API Connect again?

No

Azure API Management, MuleSoft Anypoint Platform, Kong Gateway Community (Open Source)
While there are competing products (like Mulesoft, Apigee), IBM API Connect offers all the pieces you will need for their lifecycle maintenance.

It is not a good fit for just a handful of API. Leaner solutions are starting to look more attractive in this space (like Kong). It is a bit too much work and expensive compared to competitors.

IBM API Connect Feature Ratings

API Management
9.6
API access control
10
Rate limits and usage policies
10
API usage data
9
API user onboarding
8
API versioning
10
Usage billing and payments
10
API monitoring and logging
10

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