Compare Fusio to WSO2

This page compares Fusio, an open-source API management platform focused on building and managing APIs, with WSO2 API Manager, a comprehensive enterprise-grade open-source API management solution. While both tools support API workflows, they address different scopes and use cases within the API ecosystem.

🔍 Feature Comparison

Feature	Fusio	WSO2 API Manager
Type	Full API management platform	Full-lifecycle API management platform
Primary Use Case	Build, secure, and manage APIs	Enterprise API governance, security, and scaling
Admin UI	✅ Integrated web interface	✅ Comprehensive dashboard
OAuth2 / Auth Support	✅ Built-in OAuth2 server	✅ Advanced OAuth2 / OIDC, API key, mutual TLS support
API Documentation	✅ Auto-generated OpenAPI	✅ Integrated API publishing & docs
API Creation	✅ Backend logic & action execution	⚠️ API design within tool; backend implementation external
Gateway & Traffic Control	Integrated routing & middleware (not a dedicated edge gateway)	Robust gateway with traffic control & policy enforcement
Analytics & Monitoring	Integrated basic analytics	Advanced analytics, usage insights, observability
Extensibility	PHP/JS actions	Java-based extensions, plugin ecosystem
Deployment	Self-hosted (Docker, Composer)	Self-hosted, cloud, hybrid, Kubernetes
Enterprise Features	⚠️ Focused on developer needs	✅ Full life cycle, developer portal, monetization
Target Audience	Developers & small teams	Large organizations & enterprise API programs

🎯 Key Differences

The main difference between Fusio and WSO2 API Manager lies in the scope and complexity of API management they address.

Fusio is a developer-centric API management platform focused on building and managing APIs with minimal overhead:

Design and implement APIs from scratch
Define request and response schemas
Secure APIs using a built-in OAuth2 server and scopes
Manage users and applications through a centralized admin UI
Automatically generate OpenAPI documentation
Execute backend logic using extensible actions (PHP or JavaScript)

Fusio is responsible for API creation, logic, and lifecycle management in a lightweight and integrated way.

WSO2 API Manager is an enterprise-grade full-lifecycle API management solution designed for large organizations:

Publish and manage APIs across their entire lifecycle
Provide a robust API gateway with traffic control and policy enforcement
Support advanced security (OAuth2, OIDC, mTLS, SSO, API keys)
Offer developer portals, subscription plans, and monetization
Deliver advanced analytics, observability, and governance features
Integrate deeply with enterprise identity and infrastructure systems

WSO2 API Manager is responsible for enterprise governance, security, and large-scale API operations.

📌 When to Choose Which

Choose Fusio if:

You want a developer-friendly platform to build and manage APIs end-to-end.
Built-in OAuth2 support, auto-generated docs, and extensibility are priorities.
You prefer a lightweight, self-contained solution with minimal infrastructure overhead.
You are a small team, startup, or backend developer working on API products.

Fusio excels for projects where API logic and data access are central and need to be controlled within a single, integrated platform.

Choose WSO2 API Manager if:

You are building or governing large-scale enterprise APIs across teams and environments.
You need advanced security, multi-tenant support, monetization, and developer portals.
You operate in cloud, hybrid, or highly regulated environments.
You require granular policy enforcement, traffic governance, and deep analytics.

WSO2 API Manager is ideal for organizations with complex API programs looking for enterprise governance, scalability, and ecosystem management.