# API7.ai > API7.ai is the company behind Apache APISIX, the most popular open-source API gateway. API7 offers enterprise API management (API7 Enterprise), an AI gateway for LLM traffic (API7 AI Gateway / AISIX), and a SaaS control plane (API7 Cloud). The platform helps organizations manage, secure, and optimize API traffic across microservices, AI/ML workloads, and multi-cloud environments. Key facts: - API7.ai is the original creator of Apache APISIX, which was donated to the Apache Software Foundation - API7 Enterprise is built on Apache APISIX and adds a management dashboard, RBAC, audit logging, SSO, and enterprise support - The AI Gateway (AISIX) supports 100+ LLM providers via an OpenAI-compatible interface with token-level rate limiting, semantic caching, prompt guardrails, and multi-LLM load balancing - Apache APISIX handles 10x more concurrent connections than Kong and NGINX in benchmarks - Deployment options: self-hosted (Docker, Kubernetes, bare metal), SaaS (API7 Cloud), or hybrid - For technical documentation, see https://docs.api7.ai/llms.txt ## Products - [API7 Enterprise](https://api7.ai/enterprise): Self-hosted API gateway and management platform built on Apache APISIX. Full API lifecycle management with dashboard, RBAC, audit logging, canary releases, and 24/7 support. - [API7 Cloud](https://api7.ai/cloud): SaaS control plane for managing APISIX gateway instances across multi-cloud and hybrid environments. - [AI Gateway (AISIX)](https://api7.ai/ai-gateway): AI-native gateway for LLM traffic. Unified OpenAI-compatible endpoint, multi-provider routing, token rate limiting, prompt templates/guardrails, semantic caching, and cost observability. - [Apache APISIX](https://api7.ai/apisix): The open-source API gateway project. Dynamic routing, plugin-based architecture, 80+ built-in plugins, and sub-millisecond latency. - [API7 Developer Portal](https://api7.ai/portal): Self-service developer portal for API discovery, documentation, and monetization. - [Pricing](https://api7.ai/pricing): Plans and pricing for API7 Enterprise and Cloud. - [Free Trial](https://api7.ai/try): Start a free trial of API7 Enterprise or Cloud. ## Comparisons - [API Gateway Comparison Hub](https://api7.ai/api-gateway-comparison): Side-by-side comparison of top API gateway solutions including Kong, AWS API Gateway, Apigee, Tyk, Traefik, and more. - [APISIX vs Kong](https://api7.ai/apisix-vs-kong): Feature comparison between Apache APISIX and Kong Gateway. - [APISIX vs NGINX](https://api7.ai/apisix-vs-nginx): Why teams migrate from NGINX to APISIX for dynamic API gateway capabilities. - [API7 Enterprise vs Kong](https://api7.ai/api7-enterprise-vs-kong): Enterprise-grade comparison of API7 and Kong Konnect. - [API7 Enterprise vs NGINX](https://api7.ai/api7-enterprise-vs-nginx): How API7 Enterprise simplifies NGINX complexity. - [API7 Enterprise vs Tyk](https://api7.ai/api7-enterprise-vs-tyk): API7 Enterprise as an alternative to Tyk Gateway. - [Apigee vs Kong](https://api7.ai/apigee-vs-kong): Google Apigee and Kong Gateway comparison. - [AWS API Gateway vs Kong](https://api7.ai/aws-api-gateway-vs-kong): AWS API Gateway and Kong feature comparison. - [Kong vs Traefik](https://api7.ai/kong-vs-traefik): Kong Gateway and Traefik Proxy comparison. ## Learning Center - [API Gateway Guide](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-gateway-guide/what-is-an-api-gateway): Comprehensive guide covering what an API gateway is, how it works, and why you need one. - [What Is an AI Gateway?](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-gateway-guide/what-is-an-ai-gateway): What AI gateways do, why they matter for LLM applications, and key capabilities. - [What Is an MCP Gateway?](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-gateway-guide/what-is-mcp-gateway): Model Context Protocol gateways for AI agent tool access management. - [What Is API Management?](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-gateway-guide/how-does-api-management-work): The four pillars of API management and how they work together. - [API 101](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/restful-api-best-practices): RESTful API design best practices for building robust APIs. - [OpenAPI Specification Guide](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/openapi-specification): How to use the OpenAPI Specification (OAS) for API design, documentation, and code generation. ## Blog - [Blog Home](https://api7.ai/blog): Technical articles on API gateways, AI gateways, microservices, and cloud-native architecture. - [What Does API Mean?](https://api7.ai/blog/what-does-api-mean-in-tech): Beginner-friendly explanation of APIs, how they work, and real-world examples. - [What Is an API Key?](https://api7.ai/blog/what-is-api-key-why-need-them-complete-guide): Complete guide to API keys, authentication, and security best practices. - [Rate Limiting Algorithms](https://api7.ai/blog/token-bucket-vs-leaky-best-rate-limiting-algorithm): Token bucket vs leaky bucket and other rate limiting approaches explained. - [API Gateway vs Load Balancer vs Reverse Proxy](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-gateway-guide/ai-gateway-vs-mcp-gateway-vs-api-gateway): Differences between AI gateways, MCP gateways, and traditional API gateways. ## Solutions - [Financial Services](https://api7.ai/solutions/financial-services): API gateway solutions for banking, payments, and financial compliance. - [IoT](https://api7.ai/solutions/iot): API management for connected devices and automotive industry. - [Zero Trust Security](https://api7.ai/solutions/zero-trust-security): Implementing zero-trust API security across all services. - [Monolith to Microservices](https://api7.ai/solutions/monolith-to-microservices): Migrating from monolithic applications to microservices with an API gateway. - [VM to Kubernetes](https://api7.ai/solutions/vm-to-kubernetes): Migrating from virtual machines to Kubernetes infrastructure. ## Company - [About API7.ai](https://api7.ai/about): Company information, mission, and team. - [Customer Success Stories](https://api7.ai/customers): Real-world case studies from API7 Enterprise customers. - [Partners](https://api7.ai/partners): Global partner ecosystem. - [Compliance](https://api7.ai/compliance): ISO 27001, SOC 2, GDPR, and HIPAA compliance certifications. ## Documentation - [APISIX Documentation](https://docs.api7.ai/apisix/documentation): Official Apache APISIX docs covering installation, configuration, plugins, and API reference. - [API7 Enterprise Documentation](https://docs.api7.ai/api7-gateway/overview): Enterprise features, deployment, SSO, RBAC, and audit logging. - [AI Gateway Documentation](https://docs.api7.ai/api7-gateway/ai-gateway/overview): AI Gateway setup, LLM provider integration, and use cases. - [Plugin Hub](https://docs.api7.ai/hub): Complete reference for 80+ APISIX plugins including AI proxy, authentication, traffic management, and observability. - [Full Documentation llms.txt](https://docs.api7.ai/llms.txt): LLM-friendly index of all documentation pages. ## Optional - [White Paper: Choosing the Right AI Gateway](https://api7.ai/white-paper/ai-gateway-guide): In-depth guide on evaluating AI gateway solutions for enterprise LLM deployments. - [Interactive Demos](https://api7.ai/demos): Hands-on demos of API7 features including authentication, rate limiting, and traffic management. - [Company News](https://api7.ai/news): Latest announcements and press releases. - [Top 11 API Gateway Platforms](https://api7.ai/top-11-api-gateways-platforms-compared): Comprehensive comparison of the best API gateway tools.