Kong is described as 'Scalable, open source API layer (also known as a API gateway, or API middleware). Kong runs in front of any RESTful API and is extended through plugins, which provide extra functionalities and services beyond the core platform' and is an app. There are more than 10 alternatives to Kong for a variety of platforms, including Self-Hosted, Linux, Web-based, Mac and Windows apps. The best Kong alternative is Apache APISIX, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Kong are KrakenD, Orbital API, Tyk and ApiOpenStudio.