API proxy vs API gateway: What works for you?

Choosing between an API proxy and an API gateway is crucial for determining the efficiency and security of your API infrastructure. Both serve as intermediaries between clients and backend services but differ in functionality; an API proxy offers lightweight, endpoint-specific management with features like request routing, authentication, rate limiting, and caching, making it ideal for microservices architectures and simpler scenarios. In contrast, an API gateway acts as a central entry point for multiple APIs, providing advanced features such as data aggregation, load balancing, protocol translation, and orchestration of complex API interactions, making it suitable for managing intricate ecosystems with diverse protocols. The choice between the two should consider technical requirements, scalability, security needs, and budget, aligning with the specific API management goals of the organization. Understanding these distinctions enables informed decision-making to support effective API lifecycle management and robust backend interactions.