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Apache Synapse
What Apache Synapse is
Apache Synapse is free, open-source Enterprise Service Bus software with an asynchronous mediation engine for XML, Web Services, and REST. It supports workflow orchestration, data transformation, real-time synchronization, on-premises connectors, and API management. Message formats include XML, SOAP, plain text, binary, Hessian, and JSON. Listed transports cover HTTP/S, POP3, IMAP, SMTP, JMS, TCP, UDP, VFS, SMS, XMPP, and FIX. XML configuration and built-in mediators are used to construct message flows. Integration functions include load balancing, failover routing, message splitting and aggregation, database lookups and updates, throttling, and caching. Extensions can use Java, Spring, JavaScript, Ruby, or Groovy. Security includes WS-Security and OCSP/CRL certificate validation for HTTP transports in version 3.0.0. Statistics collection and JMX monitoring are supported. Binary and source distributions are available for Linux, macOS, and Windows, with self-hosting listed. Installation requires Java SE Development Kit 1.8.0_141 or higher; Linux is recommended for production. Version 3.0.2 is listed as the latest stable release.
Who it suits
It suits teams building and mediating integrations across varied message formats and transports. Administrators can deploy it on Linux, macOS, Windows, or their own infrastructure.
What it does well
- Free and open-source
- Broad message-format support
- Many transport options
- Extensible with Java and scripts
- JMX monitoring and statistics
What to know first
- Linux recommended for production
- Requires Java SE Development Kit
- Latest listed release dates to 2023
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Apache Synapse | Free and open source software · No paid tiers or usage limits stated | Free |
As synapse.apache.org lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Apache Synapse provides a broad, configurable mediation layer without paid tiers or stated usage limits. Its Java requirement, XML configuration, and production guidance should be considered before deployment.
Facts from Apache Synapse's own pages
- API management
- Yes · synapse.apache.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Community support
- The project provides user, developer and commits mailing lists with subscription and archive links. · synapse.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Configuration
- Synapse uses an XML-based configuration language and includes built-in mediators for constructing message flows. · synapse.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Current release
- The downloads page lists version 3.0.2, released 10-May-2023, as the latest stable release. · synapse.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Data transformation
- Yes · synapse.apache.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Deployment
- The installation guide offers binary and source distributions for Linux, macOS and Windows and recommends Linux for production deployments. · synapse.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- Synapse can be extended with Java, Spring or scripting languages including JavaScript, Ruby and Groovy. · synapse.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2005 · synapse.apache.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · synapse.apache.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Wilmington, Delaware, United States · synapse.apache.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Integration features
- Features include load balancing, failover routing, message splitting and aggregation, database lookup and updates, and message throttling and caching. · synapse.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Message formats
- It supports XML, SOAP, plain text, binary, Hessian and JSON content formats. · synapse.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Monitoring
- The product supports statistics collection and JMX monitoring and management. · synapse.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
- On-premises connectors
- Yes · synapse.apache.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Product
- Apache Synapse is a lightweight, high-performance Enterprise Service Bus with an asynchronous mediation engine for XML, Web Services and REST. · synapse.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Real-time sync
- Yes · synapse.apache.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Requirements
- The installation guide specifies Java SE Development Kit 1.8.0_141 or higher and says 1 GB of heap is generally sufficient for typical SOAP messages. · synapse.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Security
- The feature list includes WS-Security support, and version 3.0.0 added OCSP/CRL certificate validation for HTTP transports. · synapse.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Transports
- The site lists HTTP/S, POP3, IMAP, SMTP, JMS, TCP, UDP, VFS, SMS, XMPP and FIX support. · synapse.apache.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Workflow orchestration
- Yes · synapse.apache.org, 22 Sept 2026