API Gateway vs Reverse Proxy vs Load Balancer

Web Traffic Managers: A Deep Dive

Terms like API Gateway, Load Balancer, and Reverse Proxy often come up. While they might seem similar, each serves a unique purpose for managing network traffic and ensuring optimal performance for web applications.

Let’s go into the specifics of each, highlight their differences, similarities, and best use cases.

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What is an API Gateway?

An API Gateway acts as a gatekeeper between clients and a collection of microservices. It handles request routing, composition, and protocol translation, often providing features like load balancing, caching, and authentication.

Key Features

• Request Routing: Directs incoming requests to the appropriate service.
• API Composition: Aggregates multiple services into a single API.
• Rate Limiting: Controls the number of requests a user can send to an API within a specific time frame.
• Security: Provides features like authentication and authorization.