- GitHub stars
- 44,259
- License
- Apache-2.0
- Latest release
- 3.9.4
12 October 2026 - Last commit
- 12 October 2026
- Runs on
- Lua, Docker, Kubernetes, Debian packages
Commits per month, last 12 months
30 commits
Replaces
Paid products Kong can stand in for.
How to self-host Kong
Kong runs on Lua, Docker, Kubernetes and Debian packages. The project's own install guide is the place to start; most people put it on a small server with Docker and a reverse proxy for HTTPS.
- Get a server: a home server, a VPS, or a managed app host.
- Install it the way the project's docs describe, usually with Docker Compose.
- Put it behind HTTPS and set up backups before you add real data.
- Update it regularly. Watch the project's releases.
Similar apps
- Hoppscotch Community Edition
Fast and beautiful API request builder.
- Hasura
Fast, instant realtime GraphQL APIs on Postgres with fine grained access control, also trigger webhooks on database events.
- Composio
Integration platform for AI agents & LLMs with support for 250+ apps and custom tools.
- Opik
Evaluate, test, and ship LLM applications with a suite of observability tools to calibrate language model outputs across your dev and production lifecycle.
- Tyk
Fast and scalable open source API Gateway. Out of the box, Tyk offers an API Management Platform with an API Gateway, API Analytics, Developer Portal and API Management Dashboard.
- Lura
High-performance API Gateway.
Questions
Is Kong free?
Yes. Kong is open source under the Apache-2.0 license, so you can use it without paying for a license. You pay only for the server it runs on.
Can I self-host Kong?
Yes. Kong runs on Lua, Docker, Kubernetes and Debian packages. Follow the install guide in the project's documentation, or use a host that installs it for you.
What does Kong replace?
People use Kong instead of Apigee.
Is Kong still maintained?
The last change to Kong's code was on 12 October 2026, with 30 commits in the last 12 months.
Topics
App data from awesome-selfhosted (CC BY-SA 3.0), stars and activity from GitHub.