IBM API Connect vs Lago
IBM API Connect
ibm.com
Lago
getlago.comSide by side
| Figure | IBM API Connect | Lago |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $83/mo | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 10 | 5 |
| Spec score · API Monetization Software | 8.1 (#10) | 8.5 (#4) |
| Deployment | API Connect can be deployed on premises, in the cloud, in hybrid environments or as SaaS. | Lago Premium is offered as cloud or self-hosted deployment, and Lago says it can be run on-premises or in a VPC. |
| Support | The listed plans include 24x7x365 installation, deployment, usage and code-related assistance. | Lago Premium includes platform support, business-hours incident management, and implementation guidance; 24x7 incident management and an assigned solution engineer are listed as on-demand add-ons. |
Plans
IBM API Connect
- Pay-as-you-goPriced on request
- Standard Tier (SaaS)$83 a month
- Premium Tier (SaaS)Priced on request
- Reserved Instance (SaaS)Priced on request
- SoftwarePriced on request
- Pay-as-you-GoPriced on request
- Premium Tier (SaaS)Price not published
- Reserved Instance (SaaS)Price not published
- Software (Self-Managed with IBM Software Subscription & Support)Price not published
- Standard Tier (SaaS)Price not published
Lago
- Open sourceFree
- Open SourceFree
- Open-source self-hostedFree
- Lago PremiumPriced on request
- PremiumPriced on request
In their own words
IBM API Connect
IBM API Connect has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
Lago
Lago is an open-source billing platform that connects product usage and commercial terms with customer invoices. It supports usage-based, subscription, prepaid, and hybrid pricing, plus quotes, order forms, prepaid credits, entitlements, quotas, subscription and usage charges, and itemized invoices. For AI products, Lago can meter input, output, and cached tokens separately and assign usage to customers for billing. Applications can connect through a REST API, official JavaScript, Python, Ruby, and Go SDKs, or signed webhooks. Listed AI integrations include OpenAI, Anthropic, AWS Bedrock, Google Gemini, and Mistral; payment and finance integrations include Adyen, Stripe, NetSuite, and Xero. The Open source plan is free, licensed under AGPLv3 and self-hosted. Lago Premium is available as cloud or self-hosted deployment, including on-premises or in a VPC, but pricing is provided after contacting Lago. Lago states it is SOC 2 Type II certified and describes single sign-on, role-based access controls, and audit logs. Premium includes platform support, business-hours incident management, and implementation guidance.