Cilium vs Kong

Professional comparison and analysis to help you choose the right software solution for your needs. Compare features, pricing, pros & cons, and make an informed decision.

Cilium icon
Cilium
Kong icon
Kong

Expert Analysis & Comparison

Struggling to choose between Cilium and Kong? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Cilium is a Network & Admin solution with tags like networking, containers, kubernetes, ebpf, xdp.

It boasts features such as eBPF-based networking, Identity-based security policies, Transparent encryption, Load balancing, Direct server return, Bandwidth manager, Observability and analytics and pros including High performance networking, Simple to operate, Native Kubernetes integration, Flexible security policies, Scalability.

On the other hand, Kong is a Development product tagged with api, microservices, gateway.

Its standout features include API Gateway, Service Mesh, Traffic routing, Security, Monitoring, Load balancing, Authentication, Rate limiting, Transformations, Caching, Logging, and it shines with pros like Open source, Scalable, Extensible via plugins, Supports multiple protocols, Easy integration, Active community.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Why Compare Cilium and Kong?

When evaluating Cilium versus Kong, both solutions serve different needs within the network & admin ecosystem. This comparison helps determine which solution aligns with your specific requirements and technical approach.

Market Position & Industry Recognition

Cilium and Kong have established themselves in the network & admin market. Key areas include networking, containers, kubernetes.

Technical Architecture & Implementation

The architectural differences between Cilium and Kong significantly impact implementation and maintenance approaches. Related technologies include networking, containers, kubernetes, ebpf.

Integration & Ecosystem

Both solutions integrate with various tools and platforms. Common integration points include networking, containers and api, microservices.

Decision Framework

Consider your technical requirements, team expertise, and integration needs when choosing between Cilium and Kong. You might also explore networking, containers, kubernetes for alternative approaches.

Feature Cilium Kong
Overall Score 1 1
Primary Category Network & Admin Development
Target Users Developers, QA Engineers QA Teams, Non-technical Users
Deployment Self-hosted, Cloud Cloud-based, SaaS
Learning Curve Moderate to Steep Easy to Moderate

Product Overview

Cilium
Cilium

Description: Cilium is an open source software for providing and securing network connectivity between application services deployed using Linux container management platforms like Kubernetes. It uses eBPF/XDP for high performance container networking.

Type: Open Source Test Automation Framework

Founded: 2011

Primary Use: Mobile app testing automation

Supported Platforms: iOS, Android, Windows

Kong
Kong

Description: Kong is an open-source API gateway and service mesh designed for managing APIs and microservices. It provides functionality like traffic routing, security, monitoring and more to help developers manage complex architectures.

Type: Cloud-based Test Automation Platform

Founded: 2015

Primary Use: Web, mobile, and API testing

Supported Platforms: Web, iOS, Android, API

Key Features Comparison

Cilium
Cilium Features
  • eBPF-based networking
  • Identity-based security policies
  • Transparent encryption
  • Load balancing
  • Direct server return
  • Bandwidth manager
  • Observability and analytics
Kong
Kong Features
  • API Gateway
  • Service Mesh
  • Traffic routing
  • Security
  • Monitoring
  • Load balancing
  • Authentication
  • Rate limiting
  • Transformations
  • Caching
  • Logging

Pros & Cons Analysis

Cilium
Cilium
Pros
  • High performance networking
  • Simple to operate
  • Native Kubernetes integration
  • Flexible security policies
  • Scalability
Cons
  • Complex architecture
  • Steep learning curve
  • Limited supported platforms
  • Immature technology
Kong
Kong
Pros
  • Open source
  • Scalable
  • Extensible via plugins
  • Supports multiple protocols
  • Easy integration
  • Active community
Cons
  • Steep learning curve
  • Complex configurations
  • No GUI
  • Limited documentation
  • Upgrades can be difficult

Pricing Comparison

Cilium
Cilium
  • Open Source
Kong
Kong
  • Open Source
  • Commercial License

Get More Information

Ready to Make Your Decision?

Explore more software comparisons and find the perfect solution for your needs