What is an API gateway?

An API gateway is a server that is the single entry point for API requests. It routes each request to the right backend service and handles shared jobs such as authentication and rate limiting.

What is the difference between an API gateway and a load balancer?

A load balancer spreads traffic across servers. An API gateway understands API requests and adds features such as authentication, routing by path, rate limiting and request transformation.

What is the difference between an API gateway and a reverse proxy?

A reverse proxy forwards requests to servers. An API gateway is often built on one but adds API-specific features such as keys, quotas, versioning and analytics.

Why use an API gateway with microservices?

It gives clients one address instead of many and keeps common code, such as login checks and logging, in one place instead of repeating it in every service.

What are the downsides of an API gateway?

It can become a bottleneck or a single point of failure, and putting too much logic in it makes it hard to change. Teams run several copies and keep it simple.

How do you say API gateway out loud?

Say the letters A-P-I, then gateway: eh-pee-eye GATE-way. The stress is on GATE.

API gateway meaning in tech — Speak Tech English

Commonness	4/5
Versatility	4/5
Formality	CasualFormalNeutral
Spoken ↔ Written	SpokenWrittenBoth
Directness ↔ Diplomatic	DirectDiplomaticDirect
Region	US and UK

Say it like this

✓The API gateway routes requests to the appropriate backend service

✓We implemented rate limiting at the API gateway level

✓All external traffic flows through the API gateway

Real examples

in a design review

"All mobile traffic goes through the API gateway, which handles auth and rate limiting."

in an incident call

"Requests are timing out at the gateway, but the backend services look healthy."

in an architecture discussion

"We should not add business logic to the gateway. It should only route and protect."

in a planning meeting

"Moving token validation to the API gateway will remove duplicate code from five services."

Don't say this

Handle with care. Often confused with load balancer or reverse proxy; an API gateway is specifically designed to manage API requests and applies business logic like authentication and rate limiting.

✕We use the API gateway to store user data.

✓We use the API gateway to authenticate users and route requests to the backend service that stores user data.— An API gateway manages request flow and policies, not data storage. It is a routing and management layer.

✕The API gateway is the same as a load balancer.

✓The API gateway includes load balancing capabilities, but also handles authentication, rate limiting, and request transformation.— While both manage traffic, an API gateway has broader responsibilities for API-specific management tasks.

✕We need to bypass the API gateway for performance reasons.

✓We optimized the API gateway configuration to reduce latency while maintaining security policies.— Bypassing the gateway compromises security and management. Instead, optimize the gateway itself.

Other forms

noun

API gateway

"The API gateway manages all incoming requests."

noun

API gateways

"We operate multiple API gateways for redundancy."

adjective

API gateway configuration

"The API gateway configuration needs to be updated."

Often used with

deploy an API gatewayUsed when setting up or releasing an API gateway into production

API gateway layerRefers to the architectural layer where the API gateway operates

API gateway routingThe process of directing requests to appropriate backend services

API gateway authenticationSecurity mechanism implemented at the gateway level

API gateway rate limitingControlling request frequency to prevent overload

API gateway latencyDelay introduced by the gateway in request processing

Similar words

API serverLess specific; refers to any server managing APIs, not necessarily a dedicated gateway component

service mesh ingressSimilar concept in Kubernetes environments; focuses on service-to-service communication

reverse proxyMore general term; an API gateway is a specialized type of reverse proxy with API-specific features

Opposites

direct client-to-service communicationmonolithic architecture

Practice

Try it

4 quick exercises

Complete the sentence

1. Our _______ handles authentication, rate limiting, and request routing for all microservices.

Spot the mistake

2. Which sentence uses API gateway incorrectly?

The API gateway routes requests to the correct backend service.We configured the API gateway to enforce rate limits.The API gateway stores all user credentials securely.The API gateway can transform API responses before sending them to clients.

Pick the most natural phrasing

3. Your team is explaining the architecture. Which sounds most professional?

We have an API gateway that does stuff with requests.Our API gateway manages authentication, routing, and rate limiting across all microservices.The API gateway is like a door for APIs.We use the API gateway to make things work better.

Rewrite naturally

4. Rewrite in tech English: We need to add a middle layer that checks if users are allowed to use the API, sends requests to the right service, and stops too many requests from one user.

Questions

Quick poll

Have you said "api gateway" in a standup this week?

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