Side by side
Envoy Gateway vs Kusk Gateway
Both stand on kubernetes ingress controllers. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APISelf-hosted
Envoy Gateway combines gateway configuration, traffic controls, and security features around Envoy Proxy. Check the release caveat and Kubernetes prerequisite when planning an installation.
Visit Envoy Gateway Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+3
Kusk Gateway combines OpenAPI-driven Kubernetes configuration with validation, request controls, and an open-source dashboard. Its self-hosted model and Kubernetes focus are central considerations.
Visit Kusk GatewayThe facts
| Envoy Gateway | Kusk Gateway | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Yes |
| Runs on | API, Self-hosted | API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | gateway.envoyproxy.io | kusk.io |
| On kubernetes ingress controllers | #8 of 28 | #4 of 28 |
Envoy Gateway: what it does well
- Supports standalone and Kubernetes deployments.
- Offers rate limiting, retries, circuit breaking, and failover.
- Includes mTLS, OIDC, JWT, and API-key controls.
- Lists metrics, access logging, and distributed tracing.
What to know first
- Quickstart requires a Kubernetes cluster.
- Latest release might not be stable.
Kusk Gateway: what it does well
- Uses OpenAPI definitions to configure Kubernetes Ingress.
- Can mock API responses for prototyping.
- Automatically validates requests and responses.
- Offers path-level headers, limits, and QoS controls.
- Free and licensed under MIT.
What to know first
- Deployment model is self-hosted.
- Focused on Kubernetes API gateway workflows.
- No pricing tiers beyond the free gateway are listed.
Alternatives to Envoy Gateway Alternatives to Kusk Gateway The whole list