---
title: "Dotkernel API versus Laminas API Tools"
description: "A feature-by-feature comparison of Laminas API Tools and Dotkernel API, showing why Dotkernel API is a solid alternative now that Laminas API Tools is archived."
author: "Florin Bidirean"
date_published: "2024-06-03"
canonical_url: "https://www.dotkernel.com/dotkernel-api/dotkernel-api-versus-laminas-api-tools/"
category: "Dotkernel API"
language: "en"
---

# Dotkernel API versus Laminas API Tools

## TL;DR

This article compares the basic features of Laminas API Tools and Dotkernel API side by side, covering architecture, versioning, documentation, authentication, and more.
It highlights that Dotkernel API is a solid alternative now that Laminas API Tools has been archived, since Dotkernel API uses a modern middleware architecture, MIT license, and evolution-based deprecations instead of traditional versioning.

Below we have created an analysis of the basic features available in **Laminas API Tools** and **Dotkernel API**.
It's intended to highlight the differences between the two and also to showcase why Dotkernel API is a good alternative for Laminas API Tools, especially considering the latter's archived status.

> The table below refers to [Dotkernel API V7](https://github.com/dotkernel/api/tree/7.0).

|  | **API Tools (formerly Apigility)** | **Dotkernel API** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| URL | [api-tools](https://api-tools.getlaminas.org/) | [Dotkernel API](https://www.dotkernel.org) |
| First Release | 2012 | 2018 |
| PHP Version | <= 8.2 | ![PHP Version](https://img.shields.io/packagist/php-v/dotkernel/api) |
| Architecture | MVC, Event Driven | Middleware |
| OSS Lifecycle | Archived | ![OSS Lifecycle](https://img.shields.io/osslifecycle/dotkernel/api?style=flat&label=) |
| Style | REST, RPC | REST |
| Versioning | Yes | Deprecations (API Evolution) * |
| Documentation | Swagger (Automated) | Postman (*Manual*), OpenAPI 3.0 (Swagger) |
| Content-Negotiation | Custom | Custom |
| License | BSD-3 | MIT |
| Default DB Layer | laminas-db | doctrine-orm 3.x |
| Authorization | ACL | RBAC-guard |
| Authentication | HTTP Basic/Digest OAuth2.0 | OAuth2.0 |
| CI/CD | Yes | Yes |
| Unit Tests | Yes | Yes |
| Code (Endpoint) Generator | Yes | [dot-maker](https://docs.dotkernel.org/dot-maker/v1/overview/) |
| PSR | PSR-7 | PSR-7, PSR-15 |

## Note

- Versioning is replaced by [Deprecations](https://docs.dotkernel.org/api-documentation/v6/tutorials/api-evolution/), using an evolution strategy.

## FAQ

**Q: What is the purpose of this comparison?**
A: It highlights the differences between Laminas API Tools and Dotkernel API, and shows why Dotkernel API is a good alternative now that Laminas API Tools is archived.

**Q: Which version of Dotkernel API does the comparison table refer to?**
A: Dotkernel API V7.

**Q: What architecture does each project use?**
A: Laminas API Tools uses an MVC, event-driven architecture, while Dotkernel API uses a middleware architecture.

**Q: What license does each project use?**
A: Laminas API Tools is licensed under BSD-3, while Dotkernel API is licensed under MIT.

**Q: How does Dotkernel API handle API versioning?**
A: Instead of traditional versioning, Dotkernel API replaces it with Deprecations, using an evolution (API Evolution) strategy.

**Q: What documentation options does each project support?**
A: Laminas API Tools generates Swagger documentation automatically, while Dotkernel API supports manual Postman documentation as well as automated OpenAPI 3.0 (Swagger) documentation.