Here are the top API management platforms commonly recommended for enterprises, with short summaries, key strengths, and when to pick each. I cite recent vendor/Gartner/analyst sources where helpful.

1. Google Cloud Apigee (Apigee X)

• What it is: Full lifecycle API management (design, security, gateway, analytics, developer portal) offered by Google Cloud.
• Strengths: Strong governance and analytics, proven at large scale, good hybrid/multi‑cloud support and strong security features. Frequently positioned as a Gartner “Leader.” (cloud.Google.com)

2. MuleSoft Anypoint Platform (Salesforce)

• What it is: Enterprise integration + API lifecycle platform combining API design, gateway, integration and catalog capabilities.
• Strengths: Mature enterprise integration features, strong for complex SOA/hybrid environments and API-led connectivity programs; repeatedly recognized by Gartner/Forrester. Good for organizations that need tight integration and governance across legacy systems. (Salesforce.com)

3. Kong Konnect (Kong Inc.)

• What it is: Modern, cloud‑native API/ingress gateway and management plane (open core plus enterprise features).
• Strengths: High-performance gateway, strong for cloud‑native/microservices and developer productivity; emphasizes extensibility and AI/LLM integrations in recent releases. Positioned as a Gartner Leader for API management. (konghq.com)

4. Axway Amplify

• What it is: Federation-focused API management and integration platform that supports distributed governance and API catalogs.
• Strengths: Good for distributed/multi‑team enterprises that need federated governance, discovery and B2B capabilities; recognized in Gartner MQ and critical capabilities reports. (Axway.com)

5. IBM API Connect (IBM Cloud Pak for Integration)

• What it is: Full lifecycle API management with strengths in packaging, monetization, analytics and enterprise governance.
• Strengths: Strong lifecycle controls, productization/monetization features and integration with IBM’s broader integration stack; rated highly in Gartner/Forrester analyses for multiple enterprise use cases. (IBM.com)

6. AWS API Gateway (and AWS API Management ecosystem)

• What it is: Managed API gateway service (REST/WebSocket/HTTP) tightly integrated with AWS services and monitoring.
• Strengths: Best choice when your infrastructure is primarily on AWS — excellent scalability, native integration with Lambda, CloudWatch, IAM, and strong operational tooling. Good for cloud-first architectures. (aws.Amazon.com)

7. Microsoft Azure API Management

• What it is: Azure‑native API management service with gateways, policy engine, developer portal and analytics.
• Strengths: Tight integration with Azure services (Functions, Logic Apps, Monitor), strong hybrid/self‑hosted gateway options and enterprise governance. Good pick for Azure-centric environments. (azure.Microsoft.com)

8. Tyk (TYK Technologies)

• What it is: Lightweight, open source API gateway with an enterprise management plane (Tyk Pro/Cloud).
• Strengths: Flexible deployment (self‑hosted or cloud), strong policy/plugin model, often chosen for cost control and developer flexibility; suitable for teams wanting an open‑core option. (See vendor/docs and industry comparisons.) (konghq.com)

9. Red Hat 3scale (part of Red Hat integration stack)

• What it is: API management focused on developer experience, access control, rate limiting and monetization — integrated with Red Hat/Openshift ecosystems.
• Strengths: Good for organizations using OpenShift/Kubernetes and Red Hat integration tools; supports hybrid deployments and API productization. (Refer to Red Hat product docs and analyst coverage.) (learn.Microsoft.com)

How to choose (short checklist)

• Cloud provider alignment: Prefer the cloud provider’s native APIM (AWS, Azure, Google) if you’re heavily on that cloud — you get native integration, infra simplicity and lower operational overhead. (aws.Amazon.com)
• Integration needs: If you need deep enterprise integration (legacy systems, B2B/EDI), consider MuleSoft, IBM or Axway. (Salesforce.com)
• Performance & cloud‑native microservices: Kong, Tyk, and Apigee (in cloud modes) are strong choices. (konghq.com)
• Governance & scale: For large regulated enterprises that require lifecycle governance, catalogs, discovery and security posture, Apigee, MuleSoft, Axway and IBM are commonly recommended and recognized by Gartner/Forrester. (cloud.Google.com)
• Cost & operational model: Consider total cost (licensing, infra, engineering) and whether you want managed SaaS vs self‑hosted gateway.

Sources and analyst signals

• Gartner Magic Quadrant / Critical Capabilities reporting and vendor placements are commonly used to evaluate enterprise APIM leaders; Apigee, MuleSoft, Kong, Axway and IBM appear among the leaders in recent Gartner coverage. Vendor announcements and Gartner citations listed above summarize those placements. (cloud.Google.com)
• Vendor product pages (Azure API Management, AWS API Gateway, IBM API Connect) describe feature sets and integration points for cloud and enterprise deployments. (azure.Microsoft.com)

If you want, I can:

• Narrow this to “best for AWS/Azure/GCP” or for particular needs (B2B monetization, microservices, low cost, hybrid), or
• Provide a short feature-by-feature comparison matrix (security, gateway performance, hybrid support, analytics, developer portal, pricing model) for 4–6 finalists.

Which route do you want next?