Custom API Server vs API Gateway

Developers should learn to build custom API servers when they need to create APIs with specific requirements not met by off-the-shelf solutions, such as unique authentication methods, complex data transformations, or integration with proprietary systems meets developers should use an api gateway when building microservices architectures or exposing apis to external clients, as it centralizes cross-cutting concerns like authentication, logging, and throttling. Here's our take.

Custom API Server

Nice Pick

Developers should learn to build custom API servers when they need to create APIs with specific requirements not met by off-the-shelf solutions, such as unique authentication methods, complex data transformations, or integration with proprietary systems

Pros

• It is essential for building backend services in web and mobile applications, microservices architectures, or IoT platforms, providing flexibility to optimize performance, security, and maintainability based on project demands
• Related to: express-js, flask

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

API Gateway

Developers should use an API Gateway when building microservices architectures or exposing APIs to external clients, as it centralizes cross-cutting concerns like authentication, logging, and throttling

Pros

• It's essential for managing API traffic efficiently, improving security by enforcing policies, and enabling features like versioning and monetization in enterprise applications
• Related to: microservices, rest-api

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

These tools serve different purposes. Custom API Server is a tool while API Gateway is a platform. We picked Custom API Server based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

Custom API Server wins

Based on overall popularity. Custom API Server is more widely used, but API Gateway excels in its own space.