Overview

This document compares two common microservice architecture patterns to help you decide which approach best fits your use case.

Architecture Diagrams

Option 1 — NGINX Only

Client ↓ NGINX ↓ Microservices

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Option 2 — NGINX + API Gateway

Client ↓ NGINX ↓ API Gateway ↓ Microservices

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Comparison by Category

1. Complexity

Aspect NGINX Only NGINX + API Gateway

Infrastructure Simpler More complex

Number of services Fewer Additional gateway service

Configuration Easier More layers

Debugging Easier Harder

Maintenance Lower Higher

Winner: ✅ NGINX Only

2. Performance

Aspect NGINX Only NGINX + API Gateway

Request hops Fewer More

Latency Lower Slightly higher

Resource usage Lower Higher

Throughput Better Slightly lower

Winner: ✅ NGINX Only

3.…