Service mesh and APIM – which one to use?

Service mesh and API Management (APIM) serve distinct yet complementary functions in managing microservices and APIs within an organization. A service mesh focuses on networking and observability, addressing the connectivity, health, and deployment of services, and it is particularly beneficial for SREs and DevOps engineers who require a comprehensive view of service interactions. In contrast, APIM centers on the business value and scalability of APIs, facilitating their discovery, security, and monetization, thus enabling organizations to adopt an API-first approach and enhance developer collaboration. Although there is overlap in functionalities like rate limiting and authentication, the two are often confused due to some API management platforms incorporating service mesh features. Organizations may choose to implement both systems depending on their size and technical needs, as each addresses unique challenges in service and API management. Tyk, an API management platform, advocates for using the best-in-breed tools without forcing an all-in-one solution, allowing teams to deploy service meshes as needed.