COMPARISON
Holdify vs API Gateways
API gateways handle traffic routing and policies. Holdify focuses on key-based access control for subscription businesses.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Holdify | API Gateways |
|---|---|---|
| API Key Management | Primary focus | One of many features |
| Subscription Sync Native payment integration | ||
| Traffic Routing Path-based routing | ||
| Protocol Transform REST to GraphQL, etc. | ||
| Rate Limiting | Per-key | Per-IP/route |
| Setup Complexity | Minutes | Days to weeks |
| Pricing | Usage-based | Complex/per-request |
| Self-Service Portal | Limited |
Why Choose Holdify
Purpose-Built for Keys
API key management is our core focus, not an afterthought.
Subscription Integration
Native Polar integration that gateways don't offer.
Simpler Pricing
No surprise bills. Predictable monthly pricing.
30-Minute Setup
No infrastructure to deploy or configure.
When to Choose API Gateways
Full Gateway Features
Routing, load balancing, caching, transformation, and more.
Protocol Support
Handle WebSocket, gRPC, GraphQL, and other protocols.
Enterprise Scale
Designed for massive traffic and complex architectures.
Pricing Comparison
Holdify
API Gateways
The Verdict
Use an API gateway if you need traffic routing, protocol transformation, or complex policies. Use Holdify if you specifically need subscription-aware API key management. Many teams use both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Holdify with an API gateway?
Yes! Many teams use Holdify for key management alongside a gateway for routing. Holdify verifies keys; the gateway handles traffic.
When do I need a full API gateway?
If you need traffic routing, protocol transformation, or complex policies. For key-based access control, Holdify is simpler and faster.
Is Holdify a proxy?
No. Holdify is a verification service. Your API traffic never passes through Holdify servers.