Postman has for years been the favorite tool for API development and testing. However, new changes to Postman's pricing and features have encouraged many teams and developers to seek out alternatives. Happily, there are now many great options on offer that can rival or surpass Postman's capabilities. In this article, we'll investigate some of the best Postman alternatives for API development, testing, and collaboration.
Why Consider Postman Alternatives?
While Postman continues to be a favored and competent tool, there are a few considerations why developers may want to look into alternatives:
Pricing changes - Postman has adopted a per-user pricing model that can be expensive for larger teams
Forced cloud sync - Recent versions necessitate syncing data to Postman's cloud, which some organizations aren't at ease with
Efficiency concerns - As Postman has included more features, some users note slowdowns and crashes
Intricacy - The Postman interface has become quite complex as features have been included
Restricted offline functionalities - Working offline with Postman has become more difficult
Luckily, there are now many superb Postman alternatives that tackle these concerns while providing powerful API testing and development functionalities.
Top Postman Alternatives
1. Insomnia
Insomnia is one of the most favored Postman alternatives, offering a sleek interface and advanced features for API development and testing. Some key functionalities include:
Compatibility with REST, GraphQL, gRPC and more
Environment variables and context switching
Code snippet generation
Plugins and themes
Collaborative workspaces
Insomnia is obtainable as a desktop app for Windows, Mac and Linux. There's a free version for individual use, with paid team plans beginning at $8/user/month.
2. Hoppscotch
Hoppscotch (formerly Postwoman) is a free, open source API development ecosystem. It delivers a web-based interface as well as desktop apps. Key features include:
Compatibility with REST, GraphQL, WebSockets and more
Environments and variables
Code generation
Collaborative workspaces
Self-hosted option obtainable
Hoppscotch is a fantastic free alternative to Postman with a clean, modern interface. The web version can be used without any installation.
3. Bruno
Bruno is a more recent open source API client that targets being fast, lightweight and privacy-focused. Some notable features:
Runs entirely locally - no account or cloud sync required
Git-friendly collections stored as Markdown files
Support for environments and scripting
Built-in API documentation generator
Accessible for Windows, Mac and Linux
Bruno is totally free and open source. It's a excellent option for developers who want a uncomplicated, fast API client without any cloud dependencies.
4. Postcode
Postcode is another open source Postman alternative with a clean, minimal interface. Key features include:
Handling of REST and GraphQL APIs
Environment variables
Request history and collections
Code snippet generation
Available as a web app or desktop app
Postcode is free to use and delivers a straightforward interface for API testing without unnecessary complexity.
5. Thunder Client (VS Code Extension)
For developers who favor to work within VS Code, Thunder Client is an superb Postman alternative. It provides a full-featured API client right in your VS Code environment. Features include:
REST and GraphQL support
Environment variables
Request collections and history
Code snippet generation
Git sync for collections
Thunder Client is free to use and combines seamlessly with VS Code workflows.
6. Apidog
Apidog is a complete API development platform that aims to cover the entire API lifecycle. Key features include:
API design and prototyping
Mock servers
Automated testing
API documentation
Team collaboration
Apidog provides a free plan for individuals, with paid plans initiating from $7/user/month for teams.
7. HTTPie
HTTPie started as a command-line HTTP client but now offers a full-featured desktop app as well. Some notable capabilities:
Intuitive CLI syntax
Compatibility with plugins
API documentation generator
Desktop GUI with request builder
Obtainable for Windows, Mac and Linux
HTTPie is free and open source, making it a fantastic option for developers who like working from the command line.
8. Paw (Mac Only)
Paw is a full-featured API testing tool available exclusively for macOS. It delivers a native Mac app experience with capabilities like:
Visual request builder
Dynamic values
Code generation
Extensions
Collaborative workspaces
Paw requires a one-time purchase of $49.99 for individual use, with team pricing accessible.
9. Advanced REST Client
Advanced REST Client (ARC) is an open source API testing tool accessible as a Chrome app or Electron-based desktop application. Features include:
Handling of multiple request types
Environment variables
Request history
Cookie management
Available for Windows, Mac and Linux
ARC is free and open source, offering a competent Postman alternative for Chrome users.
10. Testfully
Testfully is a complete API testing platform designed for teams. Key capabilities include:
Visual test builder
Automated API testing
Performance testing
Mock servers
Team collaboration features
Testfully provides a free plan for individuals, with team plans initiating from $8/user/month.
11. SoapUI
While primarily known for SOAP API testing, SoapUI also provides robust REST API testing functionalities. Notable features include:
Handling of SOAP and REST APIs
Functional, security and load testing
Test automation
Scripting support
Available in open source and pro versions
The open source version of SoapUI is free, while the Pro version starts at $659 per year.
12. Katalon Studio
Katalon Studio is a all-encompassing testing platform that includes strong API testing features. Key features for API testing include:
Handling of REST, SOAP and GraphQL
Visual test builder
Data-driven testing
CI/CD integrations
Reporting and analytics
Katalon offers a free version with basic features, while the full platform starts at $118 per license per year.
13. JMeter
Apache JMeter is an open source tool primarily used for load testing, but it also provides competent API testing features. Some key functionalities:
Handling of multiple protocols including HTTP, SOAP, and more
Extensible via plugins
Distributed testing
Scriptable samplers
Reporting and results analysis
JMeter is free and open source, making it a excellent option for teams already using it for performance testing.
14. Karate
Karate is an open source tool that combines API test automation and performance testing in a single framework. Notable features include:
Behavior-driven development (BDD) syntax
Built-in assertions and validations
Reusable feature files
Parallel execution
Reporting and CI/CD integration
Karate is free and open source, offering a unique approach to API testing for development teams.
15. Swagger UI
For teams working with OpenAPI (formerly Swagger) specifications, Swagger UI provides a quick way to visualize and interact with APIs. Key functionalities:
Automatic visual documentation from OpenAPI specs
Interactive API console
Request builder
Response visualization
Easy to embed in existing documentation
Swagger UI is free and open source, making it a excellent option for teams already using OpenAPI.
Selecting the Right Postman Alternative
With so many outstanding options obtainable, selecting the right Postman alternative depends on your specific needs and preferences. Here are some factors to contemplate:
Interface - Do you opt for a GUI, web interface, or command line tool?
Features - What specific capabilities do you need for your API workflows?
Collaboration - Do you need team features like shared workspaces?
Pricing - What's your budget for API tools?
Integrations - Does the tool work with your existing tech stack?
Performance - How does the tool perform with large numbers of requests?
Privacy - Do you need a postman alternative tool that works entirely offline?
By evaluating your requirements against the functionalities of these Postman alternatives, you can find the right tool to enhance your API development and testing workflows.
Conclusion
While Postman persists as a proficient API platform, the growing ecosystem of alternatives offers excellent options for developers and teams looking to optimize their API workflows. Whether you need a simple, fast API client or a comprehensive API lifecycle platform, there's likely a Postman alternative that fits your needs.
By exploring tools like Insomnia, Hoppscotch, Bruno, and others, you can find an API testing and development solution that enhances your productivity while addressing any concerns you may have had with Postman. The key is to assess your specific requirements and try out a few options to find the tool that works best for your team and projects.