Service that manages and routes API requests between clients and backend services. Like a receptionist that directs visitors to the right department and handles basic requests.
Mobile apps send requests through an API Gateway which routes them to appropriate microservices and handles authentication.
All provide a managed front door for APIs: routing requests to backend services, enforcing authentication/authorization, applying policies (rate limits, quotas), and offering monitoring. Azure API Management is typically broader (full API lifecycle, developer portal) while AWS/GCP/OCI API Gateway products are often positioned as lighter-weight gateways; AWS also offers API management features via API Gateway plus related services.
Explore real-world architectures from our community that use API Gateway: