Choosing the right API key management tool can save you weeks of development time. Two popular options are Holdify and Unkey. Both handle API key generation, verification, and rate limiting, but they're built for different use cases.
In this comparison, we'll break down the key differences to help you decide which tool fits your needs.
Quick Overview
| Feature | Holdify | Unkey |
|---|---|---|
| API Key Management | ||
| Rate Limiting | ||
| Usage Analytics | ||
| Native Polar Integration | ||
| Automatic Subscription Sync | ||
| Free Tier | 150K requests | 150K requests |
| Pro Price | $19/mo | $25/mo |
Pricing Comparison
Both tools offer generous free tiers. Here's how the Pro plans compare:
Holdify Pro - $19/mo
- 500,000 requests/month
- 1,000 API keys
- Polar subscription sync
- 30-day log retention
Unkey Pro - $25/mo
- Unlimited API keys
- Team collaboration features
- No native payment provider sync
- Refillable keys feature
Holdify Pro is $6/month cheaper and includes native Polar integration. Unkey offers unlimited API keys and more team features.
The Key Difference: Payment Provider Integration
The biggest differentiator between Holdify and Unkey is how they handle subscriptions.
Unkey's Approach
Unkey focuses purely on API key management. It's a solid tool for generating, verifying, and rate limiting API keys. However, syncing with your payment provider is your responsibility.
If you use Stripe, Polar, or another billing platform, you'll need to:
- Set up webhook handlers for subscription events
- Build logic to create/update/revoke keys on plan changes
- Handle edge cases like failed payments and grace periods
- Keep your key limits in sync with subscription tiers
Holdify's Approach
Holdify is built specifically for subscription-based APIs. Connect your Polar account once, and entitlements sync automatically:
- New subscription - API key created with correct limits
- Plan upgrade - Limits increase instantly
- Plan downgrade - Limits adjust at next billing cycle
- Cancellation - Access revoked at period end
No webhooks to build. No sync logic to maintain. It just works.
When to Choose Unkey
Unkey might be the better choice if:
- You don't use Polar for payments
- You need unlimited API keys
- You want refillable keys that reset automatically
- You need team collaboration features
When to Choose Holdify
Holdify is the better choice if:
- You use Polar for subscription billing
- You want automatic entitlement sync without building webhooks
- You want a lower price point ($19 vs $25)
- You want to ship faster without building subscription infrastructure
Conclusion
Both Holdify and Unkey are capable API key management tools. The right choice depends on your specific needs.
If you're building a subscription-based API with Polar and want everything to "just work" without building sync infrastructure, Holdify will save you significant development time.
If you need unlimited keys, longer log retention, or don't use Polar, Unkey is a solid option.
Last updated: January 8, 2026. Pricing and features based on publicly available information. We strive to keep this comparison accurate and fair.