Apache Camel and Mule ESB are both integration platforms designed to help developers create connections between different pieces of software. Both platforms are open-source, but they differ significantly in their implementation of the open-source model. Apache Camel is a free standalone program supported solely by its community of developers. Mule ESB is the runtime engine of MuleSoft’s Anypoint Platform, a licensed and professionally-supported product. Both products are primarily used by enterprise-level organizations, who have more time, budget, and business need for custom-built integrations when compared to smaller companies..
Features
Although both Apache Camel and Mule ESB allow developers to create customized software integrations, their user interfaces and architecture are very different.
Apache Camel uses a code-based interface that will be familiar to most developers with experience writing code. Users can create their integrations in a variety of languages, including XML configuration files and domain-specific languages (DSLs). Apache Camel has a robust developer community with a wide array of accumulated experience, skills, and tutorials available. And with a free license, Apache Camel has the lowest possible upfront cost, requiring no purchase to start using.
Mule ESB, on the other hand, has the backing and support of a professional company. Besides traditional customer support, MuleSoft offers dedicated architects that can consult and assist with implementation and development. The software uses a quickly-learnable visual interface and includes quality-of-life and convenience features to help new developers get started. Customers also report that MuleSoft is responsive to customer feedback and general trends in the integration world, releasing relevant, helpful updates to their platform.
Limitations
With such different user experiences, it’s natural that Apache Camel and Mule ESB won’t be suitable for every developer or business. Be sure to take their limitations into account before choosing one or the other.
Apache Camel’s text-based development may be comfortable for experienced developers, but it can obfuscate the learning process for new users, especially if they’re just getting started in integration development. Since Apache Camel is free and relies on the open-source community for support, developers must spend time and energy building proficiency in the software, and a business will need to keep in-house experts to maintain and develop integrations.
Mule ESB, as a licensed product, can be costly. The cost of licensing compounds with the price of advanced technical support, especially if your business requires a dedicated architect to assist with setup and development. And an architect might be necessary: some users with advanced requirements reported that initial setup was complicated and difficult, and that mis-configuration could cause significant development problems. Finally, the platform can sometimes suffer from unexplained slowdowns and general instability, and is difficult to troubleshoot.
Pricing
Apache Camel is offered as open-source software under the Apache License 2.0 and can be downloaded for free.
MuleSoft ESB is included with MuleSoft’s Anypoint Platform, which uses a tiered annual subscription pricing model. The Gold tier offers the Mule ESB runtime engine and visual design tools. The Platinum tier increases customer support priority, adds enterprise-level functionality such as cloud deployment, SSO, and role-based permissions. The Titanium tier offers the maximum customer support priority, data analysis features, and advanced logging and tracing tools. Specific pricing details are available via a quote from MuleSoft.
