kong vs mcp-gateway
API and MCP gateways compared
kong is a cloud-native gateway for routing and governing API, AI, and MCP traffic across services. mcp-gateway focuses on bringing MCP servers and REST APIs behind one endpoint, using on-demand tool discovery and protocol bridging.
kong: Route and Govern API, LLM, and MCP Traffic
Kong Gateway is a cloud-native, platform-agnostic API, LLM, and MCP gateway built in Lua. It centralizes traffic routing, security, and extensibility for teams running services on their own infrastructure or Kubernetes.
mcp-gateway: Route MCP Servers and REST APIs Through One Endpoint
A Rust gateway that brings MCP servers and REST APIs behind one endpoint, with tools discovered on demand through a compact meta-tool surface. It also bridges MCP protocol revisions and adds centralized routing and policy controls.
| kong | mcp-gateway | |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Lua | Rust |
| License | Apache-2.0 | NOASSERTION |
| Stars | 44.3k | 78 |
| Forks | 5.2k | 19 |
| Last analyzed | Oct 20, 2026 | Oct 3, 2026 |
Key differences
- kong is a general API gateway with authentication, traffic controls, load balancing, and Kubernetes integration; mcp-gateway centers on aggregating MCP and REST tools for AI clients.
- kong uses a plugin-based design and offers database-less and hybrid deployment models; mcp-gateway is described as a single-binary router with a CLI wizard and web UI.
- kong is written in Lua and uses the Apache-2.0 license; mcp-gateway is written in Rust and its metadata lists its license as NOASSERTION.
- mcp-gateway exposes meta-tools for searching and invoking backend tools on demand, which can add a discovery hop, tokens, and a turn. kong's described AI capabilities include routing across LLM providers, semantic security, and caching.
- kong lists 44.2k stars and 5.2k forks; mcp-gateway lists 78 stars and 19 forks.
- kong's quick-start uses Docker Compose and PostgreSQL, with a separate DB-less setup documented. mcp-gateway adds a component to operate and secure, and its guidance calls for reviewing network binding and backend credentials.
Choose kong if you…
- need a configurable gateway for APIs and services across Kubernetes or other infrastructure.
- want shared authentication, rate limiting, transformations, or observability across services.
- need to route LLM traffic across providers or govern MCP traffic alongside APIs.
Choose mcp-gateway if you…
- want to aggregate multiple MCP servers and REST APIs behind one endpoint for AI clients.
- need tools discovered on demand rather than exposing every backend tool to each client.
- need MCP protocol bridging, or want selected REST operations exposed as MCP tools.
Compare the numbers side by side, or add more projects
This comparison is generated with AI from the OSRepos analyses of both projects. Always check each project's repository and documentation before choosing.