20 Postman alternatives you should know about - November 2026 Review

For many of us, Postman has been the go-to tool API Client and testing tool for years. Postman has been evolving, and experiencing a lot of changes, some of which have been controversial, and made many, including you, to look for a Postman replacement. This article lists the best Postman alternatives for sending requests to different types of APIs, including SOAP, Restful, or GraphQL. We continue to update this article with the latest information about the offered features. Please reach out to us via our contact page for any correction or addition of a new tool.

Limits of Postman’s Free Plan

Before diving into the alternatives, it’s important to know the limits of Postman’s free plan:

1. No Team Collaboration: Postman used to offer team-wide collaboration for up to five users for free. Later on, Postman reduced it to three users and then to one user. If you need to share collections with your team, Postman is no longer a feasible product for your need. Good news is that Testfully offers up to five users for free.

2. No Offline or local-only mode: Postman ScrachPad used to be the local-only product from Postman, which is no longer available. If you want to use Postman, you must sign up for an account and your data will be stored in the cloud or you can opt-in to an offline version that is very limited to what it offers. If that’s not what you want, Postman is no longer a feasible option for you. Good news is that products such as Testfully or Bruno offer a fully offline and local product.

3. Account Required: The Postman you know requires a cloud account, even if you want to make a basic GET HTTP call. If that sounds too much of a commitment to you, try out Testfully or Yaak for an offline and annonymous API client that does not require an account and does not put any limit on available features because you are not signed in.

4. Collection Runner: Postman’s Collection Runner is one of popular features of Postman for API testing. You used to have unlimited collection runs. At some point, Postman changed their mind and put a 25 run limits on free plan. Later on, Postman changed their mind and re-introduced unlimited collection runs. That said, Postman does not offer data-driven API testing using dataset files for free so Collection Runner is very limited without this feature. If data-driven API testing is a must for you, Postman is not a good choice for you.

Comparison Table

To help you make better decisions faster, We have put together a list of features and their availability. You can use this table to decide what matters for you most and pick your Postman alternative. Once you have a shortlist of tools, you can read the detailed review of each tool below.

Testfully

Website: testfully.io | Last reviewed on: 2026-10-26

Testfully is a fully-fledged API client with an automated API testing superpower, available as a Cloud-native and Offline-only solution for Mac, Windows, Linux or via a modern browser.

At Testfully, we believe that end-users should have the freedom to choose between flexibility of cloud-native and data privacy of offline-only solutions. That’s why we offer both options to our users, without compromising on features or capabilities.

Team collaboration through well-defined access control and a private & secure vault for each workspace user makes Testfully a great choice for teams. Postman backups, collections, environments and globals can be easily imported with one click and ready to use in Testfully. Testfully Scripts supports most if not all pm. APIs so you don’t have to rewrite your scripts.

Supported Features

Testfully’s Pros

• SOC 2 Type 2, HIPAA and ISO 27001:2022 compliant for two years in a row. Our auditors audit our Cloud and Offline products for a period of 12 months and we have passed the audit for two years in a row.
• Full access to Offline (ScratchPad) and Cloud workspaces for free.
• No need to create an account to use Testfully.
• Commercial and production use is allowed, even under the free plan.
• Smooth transition from Postman, thanks to our Postman Importer and broad compatibility with Postman Scripts.
• A Collection Runner that allows you to run all requests in a collection with a single click, without any limit, even on free plan.
• A pricing model that’s simple and transparent. No hidden fees, no surprises, no breaking the bank.
• A public roadmap that’s driven by our customers. We listen to our customers and build features that matter to them.
• Rest, GraphQL, XML and Soap are already supported. MCP, gRPC and WebSocket are coming soon.
• Team collaboration through well-defined access control, a private & secure vault for each workspace user.
• State-of-art authorization support. Supports OAuth2, Basic Auth, Bearer Token, and API Key authorization.
• Unique features such as multi-step requests, Actions, Functions, auto-generated API Documentation, and no-code API testing.
• Scripting capabilities that allow you to write Javascript code to modify requests, access responses, set variables or send requests.

Testfully’s Cons

• Currently, we do not support gRPC or WebSocket. That said, it’s in Testfully roadmap.

Demo

Thunder Client

Website: thunderclient.com | Last Reviewed on: 2026-11-06

Thunder Client is a local-first API client for VS Code and JetBrains IDEs. It lets you send requests and test APIs inside your editor, supporting REST, GraphQL, WebSocket, SSE and gRPC. Requests, collections and environments stay on your computer, while visual assertions make basic testing possible without writing JavaScript.

Its CLI supports automated collection runs and CI/CD pipelines. Paid plans add JavaScript scripting and Git Sync, allowing teams to version and share collections through their own repositories. The main trade-off is collaboration: Thunder Client favours an editor-and-Git workflow rather than Postman’s broader cloud workspaces and monitoring capabilities.

As of 6 November 2026, the free plan includes 10 collections, 50 requests per collection and 50 local collection runs per month, alongside CLI and CI/CD access. Paid plans start at US$3 per user/month, billed annually.

Supported Features

Thunder Client’s Pros

• IDE integration and local storage keep API work close to your code.
• Visual assertions and CLI automation cover both interactive and automated testing.

Thunder Client’s Cons

• Free-plan usage limits apply; JavaScript scripting and Git Sync require a paid plan.
• Git-based sharing may not suit teams expecting shared cloud workspaces.

Verdict: Thunder Client is worth considering when you mainly need an API client inside your editor, rather than a replacement for Postman’s entire platform.

httpYac

Website: httpyac.github.io | Last reviewed on: 2026-11-06

httpYac is a free, open-source Postman alternative that lets developers create and send API requests directly from Visual Studio Code or the command line. Unlike Postman, httpYac stores requests in plain-text .http files, making them easy to version-control with Git and share across development teams.

httpYac supports REST, SOAP, GraphQL, gRPC, and WebSocket requests. It also offers environment variables, authentication, JavaScript scripting, and response assertions for API testing. Its CLI makes it possible to automate API tests within CI/CD pipelines without relying on a cloud service.

However, httpYac lacks the polished graphical interface, built-in collaboration features, and API monitoring capabilities available in Postman. Development of the original project has also slowed, with its latest upstream release dating back to March 2025.

Supported Features

httpYac’s Pros

• Free and open-source under the MIT license.
• Supports REST, GraphQL, gRPC, WebSocket, and other protocols.
• Git-friendly HTTP files for version control.
• Built-in scripting, assertions, and environment management.
• CLI support for automated API testing and CI/CD.

httpYac’s Cons

• No standalone graphical desktop application.
• Limited collaboration and team management features.
• No built-in API monitoring or scheduling.
• Steeper learning curve for developers unfamiliar with HTTP files.
• Infrequent updates to the original project.

Author’s Note on httpYac

httpYac is a solid Postman alternative for developers who prefer working directly in VS Code and keeping API requests alongside their source code. Its Git-friendly approach and automation capabilities make it particularly useful for developer-focused workflows.

However, its limited graphical interface, lack of collaboration features, and slower maintenance make it less suitable for teams looking for a complete Postman replacement.

Insomnia

Website: insomnia.rest | Last reviewed on: 2026-11-06

Insomnia is an open-source desktop API client from Kong, available for macOS, Windows and Linux. It supports REST, GraphQL, gRPC, WebSocket and Server-Sent Events, with tools for API design, testing and mocking alongside everyday request sending.

Its main appeal is flexibility over where your API projects live. You can keep projects locally, version them in your own Git repository or use cloud synchronisation. A local Scratch Pad also lets you work without creating an account. This makes Insomnia worth considering for developers who want a graphical API client without relying exclusively on cloud workspaces.

Supported Features

These capabilities make Insomnia suitable for both interactive API development and repeatable automated testing.

Pros: Insomnia combines an open-source desktop application with local, Git and cloud workflows. Its free Essentials plan includes unlimited collection runs, CLI access and Git Sync for up to three users. Postman collection and environment imports help with migration, and most Postman scripts are converted automatically.

Cons: Larger Git teams need a paid plan, while SSO and advanced organisational controls require Enterprise. Migration is not entirely automatic: Postman mock servers must be recreated, and complex scripts should be checked for compatibility. Insomnia also does not replace every part of Postman’s broader discovery, monitoring and governance platform.

Author’s note: Insomnia is a strong option for developers and teams whose main needs are sending requests, writing tests and keeping API projects locally or in Git. Evaluate it as an API-client replacement rather than assuming complete Postman platform parity.

Hoppscotch

Website: hoppscotch.com | Last Reviewed on: 2026-11-06

Hoppscotch is an open-source API client available through a web app, desktop app and command-line tool, with cloud-hosted and self-hosted options. It supports HTTP/REST, GraphQL, WebSocket, Server-Sent Events, Socket.IO and MQTT, making it useful for both conventional and real-time APIs.

Beyond sending requests, Hoppscotch offers collections, environments, authentication, scripting and automated tests. Its collection runner and CLI support repeatable testing and CI/CD workflows, while shared workspaces, mock servers and API documentation extend it beyond a basic request client.

Supported Features

Hoppscotch’s Pros

Hoppscotch’s main strengths are browser-based access, open-source availability and the option to self-host. This combination suits developers who want an accessible API client and teams that prefer to run their tooling on their own infrastructure. Postman collection and environment imports provide a starting point for migration.

Hoppscotch’s Cons

Browser security restrictions mean some requests require Hoppscotch’s Agent, a proxy, an extension or the desktop app. Postman script migration remains partly experimental, so imported tests need validation. gRPC is not currently documented as supported, and Hoppscotch does not match Postman’s breadth in monitoring, API governance and organisation-wide lifecycle management.

Author’s Note on Hoppscotch

Hoppscotch is worth considering when you primarily use Postman to send requests, debug APIs and run functional tests—particularly when browser access or self-hosting matters. Teams replacing a wider Postman deployment should evaluate their specific workflows rather than assume collection import delivers a complete migration.

Rapid API

Website: paw.cloud | Last reviewed on: 2024-05-16

Rapid API (formerly known as Paw) has been a Mac-only app for a long time. In Feb 2021, Rapid API announced that they had acquired Paw and announced the availability of cross-platform Paw applications and a new subscription-based pricing model. It is free for personal and professional use and teams up to 5 users. But if you have a team with more than five users, you have to pay a price that begins at 60 USD per month. It’s still a Mac-only app, and other platforms are not supported yet. Generally, Rapid API doesn’t offer many of the features that Postman offers, but don’t let that disappoint you because Rapid API provides a range of extensions for adding new features. For example, you can use a Faker.js extension to generate and include random data in the request. Rapid API comes with a visual HTTP client and a native macOS interface to describe APIs.

Rapid API’s Pros

• The native Mac app is fast
• Rapid API is extendable using 3rd-party extensions

Rapid API’s Cons

• Does not support other platforms than Mac-OS
• Documentations are not updated and still refer to the app as Paw instead of Rapid API

Postcode

Website: Github/Postcode | Last Reviewed on: 2023-12-14

Postcode is another VScode extension for sending HTTP requests. It’s free, open-source and is developed to do one thing, sending HTTP requests. Use Postcode to fire a request (XML, JSON, GraphQL, Form Data or binary) and see the response in a clean UI.

Supported Features

Postcode’s Pros

• It’s free & open source
• A simple and clean UI that follows your VSCode theme

Postcode’s Cons

• You cannot save requests for future usage, organise them in folders or share them with your colleagues
• You cannot create environments, environment variables or globals. Everything has to be set for each request

Author’s Note on Postcode

Use Postcode for sending HTTP requests, nothing more, nothing less. If you’re looking for a tool to organise your requests, share them with your colleagues or run them in bulk, Postcode is not for you.

Firecamp

Website: firecamp.io | Last reviewed on: 2024-01-12

Firecamp is an API Development Tool that provides tools to interact with REST and GraphQL APIs. Moreover, Firecamp offers dedicated playgrounds for Web Socket, SocketIO and GraphQL APIs. In version 3, they made their platform Web-Based and are currently working on their desktop app. Firecamp still does not have a CLI tool, but its roadmap indicates it will be available. With a free plan that allows users to invite up to 5 team members to their workspace for team collaboration, they also provide a paid plan that suggests up to 15 team members.

Supported Features

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Dedicated GUI Playgrounds for REST, GraphQL, Websocket and SocketIO
• Being able to import Postman Collections, Variables and Scripts
• Improved UI compared to previous versions

Cons

• There are some UI/UX issues
• You cannot import Postman environment files
• You cannot set variables and headers for a folder
• No CLI available
• No Desktop App
• Incomplete Documentation

Author’s Note on Firecamp

While using Firecamp, I noticed some minor issues in their UX/UI. Although they have improved their User Interface, you may still face some minor bugs. Their documentation is incomplete, and you might encounter a “WORK IN PROGRESS” message when you want to read about a section. It can make it tricky and time-consuming to figure out how things work. Despite these issues, if you are looking for an alternative to Postman that offers a dedicated GUI playground for REST, GraphQL, Websocket, and SocketIO, Firecamp is worth checking out.

TestMace

Website: testmace.com | Last Reviewed on: 2024-01-12

TestMace is a cross-platform API client (Windows, Mac, Linux) and API testing tool that works with different APIs. Using TestMace, you can easily create, execute, and manage HTTP requests and tests for your API as a developer or tester. In our ongoing quest to keep our readers informed about the best API testing and development tools, we’re revisiting TestMace, an emerging alternative to Postman. Our initial review highlighted its potential, and we’re excited to delve into the latest updates and features that TestMace offers in 2024

Supported Features

TestMace Pros

• TestMace supports global variables (Environment, User-defined, Default)
• You can add various assertions to your requests to test your APIs.
• You can see responses and requests at the same time.
• TestMace supports the group for your requests by adding them in a folder, so that you can run all of them on one hood.
• You can set the default header in the folder level, applying all its requests.
• TestMace can generate random data with scripting ability.
• You can write JavaScript codes as the Setup/teardown scripts.
• TestMace supports “Team Collaboration”. You can sync your project to the cloud and share it with your team.
• The “UI” is simple.
• You can use the multi-step (chained) request capability of TestMace to create complex automated tests.
• TestMace supports export and import.
• You can test your API through the CLI (Command-Line) tool in TestMace.
• TestMace supports GraphQL.

TestMace Cons

• The documentation is not complete. For example, there is no information about making requests using GraphQL in TastMace.
• TestMace doesn’t support SOAP APIs.
• You cannot use TestMace for API monitoring. If you’re looking for a Postman alternative for API monitoring, please check our API monitoring tools list.
• You may occasionally face the reload app error when you don’t use the app in the background for a while in Windows.
• The app size in Windows is about 1GB, Which is too much.

Nightingale

Website: nightingale.rest | Last reviewed on: 2024-01-12

The Nightingale REST client makes it easy to test your APIs without writing a single line of code. This interactive Windows application allows you to call any API, make requests and observe responses. It’s easy to install and has a simple UI. Moreover, It presents some facilities like workspaces, collections, and more.

Supported Features

Nightingale Pros

• Nightingale is free.
• Nightingale supports multi-step (chained) requests.
• You can use collections to have more organized workspaces.
• Using environment variables, you can embed and reuse customized values in your requests.
• Nightingale supports importing from other clients such as Postman, Insomnia, etc.
• You can execute all requests on one run.
• You can add the mock servers to generate random data in Nightingale for your front-end development team or anything that uses your API to continue their development. At the same time, you are working on your APIs.

Nightingale Cons

• Nightingale is a REST client only.
• Nightingale doesn’t support assertions.
• Nightingale doesn’t offer user management. Thus, the team can’t collaborate.
• Nightingale doesn’t support GraphQL.
• It is only available for the Windows platform.
• The last commit on GitHub was back in 2022.

HTTPie

Website: httpie.io

HTTPie is a decade-old (as old as Postman), Python-backed CLI HTTP Client that’s evolved into a web and desktop app. If you’re scouting for a Postman alternative, HTTPie’s desktop version is worth a look. It’s straightforward and dependable, but might not satisfy those seeking advanced features.

_Trivia: HTTPie’s founder, Jakub Roztocil, once unintentionally wiped out 54K Github stars.

._

HTTPie Pros

• It’s free
• Your data can be stored in the Cloud or offline
• Fast, light, and intuitive
• Works well with both GraphQL and Restful APIs
• Supports Globals and Environment Variables
• Supports Basic, Bearer, and API Key Authentication for requests and a collection
• Supports Query Params and Headers
• Full Request & Response is available for inspection
• Save responses as JSON file
• Import from Postman, Insomnia or cURL commands
• Desktop app available for Mac (Silicon, Intel), Linux, and Windows
• Comes with a powerful CLI version

HTTPie Cons

• The web app sends request via HTTPie servers — could be a privacy or security concern for some users
• All environments can have the same set of environment variables
• Does not support advanced auth schemes including OAuth2 etc.
• Requests CANNOT be organised in folders
• Make sure your exported file is fully valid and latest version or you may not be able to import it
• Data CANNOT be exported at the moment
• Does not support HTTP Proxy
• The web-version does not work with localhost APIs. The desktop app, hover works with localhost APIs
• Scripting is not supported
• SSL Certificate Verification cannot be disabled
• You cannot run multiple requests in one go

A quick demo of HTTPie

Yaak

Website: yaak.app | Last reviewed on: 2026-11-05

Yaak is a desktop API client for macOS, Windows and Linux, created by Gregory Schier, the original creator of Insomnia. It supports HTTP/REST, GraphQL, gRPC, WebSocket and Server-Sent Events, with an emphasis on local storage and Git-based collaboration.

Supported Features

Local storage and Git: Requests, environments and response history are stored locally, with no account required for ordinary use. API traffic goes directly to the destination unless a proxy is configured. Updates, plugins and licensing can contact Yaak’s services; some OAuth flows use a hosted callback, with localhost available as an alternative. Encryption protects selected secrets, not the entire database. Workspaces sync to YAML—one file per resource—with built-in branching, commits, diffs, push and pull.

Request building: Yaak supports folder variables and inherited workspace/folder authentication and headers. Authentication includes OAuth 1.0/2.0, JWT, NTLM, AWS SigV4, HTTP Digest and client certificates. Template functions handle request chaining, JSONPath/XPath extraction, dynamic values and secrets; TypeScript plugins can add custom functions. Proxy settings apply to HTTP and GraphQL, not WebSocket or gRPC.

Postman migration: Yaak imports Postman v2/v2.1 collections and separately exported environments, plus Insomnia, Bruno, OpenAPI, Swagger and cURL. However, Postman pre-request scripts, test scripts and saved response examples do not transfer, and unsupported authentication types are excluded. Script-heavy collections therefore require more than an import.

Automation: The CLI sends individual requests, folders or workspaces, with sequential, parallel and fail-fast execution. The desktop’s Send All action sends folder requests concurrently. Agent skills and an optional MCP Server plugin support external coding-agent workflows.

Limitations: Yaak has no arbitrary per-request pre/post scripting, dedicated GUI collection runner or built-in CSV/JSON data-driven runner. It also lacks hosted monitoring, hosted mock servers and public documentation portals. Git-based sharing is useful, but it should not be treated as equivalent to Postman’s cloud collaboration.

Pricing and licensing: Personal use is free, but using Yaak’s official pre-built binaries for work or commercial purposes requires a paid licence after the 30-day trial. The trial requires no signup or credit card. Individual commercial licences cost US$79/year or US$349 for a lifetime licence. Business licences cost US$149/user/year, with annual subscriptions only—no lifetime purchase option.

Individual licences are non-transferable; the annual plan includes a fallback licence for the last version covered by the subscription. Business adds transferable seats, priority email support, SSO and user provisioning. The commercial licensing requirement applies to the official pre-built binaries; Yaak’s MIT-licensed source code can be built and used commercially without purchasing a licence.

Author’s note: Yaak is a strong candidate for replacing Postman’s everyday request-building and debugging workflow, particularly for teams that prefer local storage and Git-based sharing. Its fit is less direct when a team relies heavily on JavaScript tests, collection runners or hosted services. Evaluate a representative collection before migrating.

Bruno

Website: usebruno.com | Last reviewed on: 2026-11-05

Bruno is a local-first API client for macOS, Windows and Linux, with a free, open-source core. It stores API collections as readable files on your computer, so requests and tests can live alongside application code and be shared through Git. Everyday use does not require a Bruno account or a cloud-hosted workspace.

Bruno combines request building and debugging with environments, authentication, JavaScript scripting and automated tests. It supports REST, GraphQL, gRPC and WebSocket, but automation varies by protocol: the desktop collection runner excludes gRPC and WebSocket requests. Its free command-line tool supports repeatable testing and CI/CD workflows.

A key trade-off is the collaboration model. Bruno’s file-based approach suits teams already comfortable with branches and pull requests, but may be less convenient for colleagues expecting a shared browser workspace. Its generated documentation includes an interactive browser playground, but that is not a collaborative collection-authoring workspace. Postman also supports local files and Native Git, so these capabilities are not exclusive to Bruno.

Migration from Postman is supported through collection and environment imports, with automatic translation of common scripts. Some scripting APIs and Postman-specific dependencies still require changes, so imported collections should be tested rather than assumed to work unchanged.

Supported Features

Pricing: The Open Source edition is free. Pro costs US$6 per user/month and Ultimate US$11 per user/month, billed annually. Paid plans add desktop capabilities such as data-driven runs and advanced in-app Git operations. Importantly, the free CLI already supports data-driven testing, parallel execution and reporting; teams can also use their existing Git tools without upgrading Bruno.

Bruno’s Pros

• Local control of collection files.
• Git-based collaboration.
• Scripting and testing.
• A useful free desktop-and-CLI workflow.

Bruno’s Cons

• No shared cloud-synchronised authoring workspace.
• Automation support differs across protocols.
• Some desktop features require payment.
• Postman migration can involve adjustments.

Author’s Note on Bruno

Bruno is a strong option for developers who want API requests and tests managed alongside code. Its appeal is the combination of an open-source core, account-free everyday use and a repository-based workflow—not a claim that Git belongs exclusively to Bruno. Teams should choose it for that fit and assess their existing Postman workflows before expecting a like-for-like replacement.

keyrunner

Website: keyrunner.app | Last reviewed on: 2025-06-18

KeyRunner’s website introduce the tool as the Next-Gen platform to build, test, monitor and design APIs, with a lot of focus on security and privacy. You can start using KeyRunner without creating an account, as your data is stored locally. Collaboration is available via the Zero Trust Explorer and Zero Trust Pioneer plans. As a new member of the API Client club, KeyRunner offers a decent number of features to keep you productive, so let’s dive into some of the main features:

Supported Features

KeyRunner’s Pros

• Huge emphasis on security and privacy, gotta love that! Great to see more tools focus on security and privacy.
• A free plan is available, no account needed to use the app, and your data is stored locally by default.
• Supports most if not all features you would expect from a modern API client.

KeyRunner’s Cons

• It’s only available as a desktop app
• The UX is still a bit rough around the edges, and some features are not fully implemented yet. For example, when you click on the Connectors tab, the app crashes.

Author’s Note on KeyRunner

Initially, I struggled with the app, due to some UX issues and rough edges. However, after an hour, I started to be comfortable with the app and its features. It’s a new app and with that comes some rough edges, but the team behind KeyRunner is actively working on improving the app and adding new features. If you’re looking for a Postman alternative that’s focused on security and privacy, KeyRunner is worth a look.

API Tester

Website: apitester.org

API Tester is a free and lightweight alternative to Postman. The main goal of API Tester is to offer a convenient app that helps to shift the performance of some work tasks from desktops to mobile devices, thereby allowing developers and testers to not be tied to their workstations as only a mobile phone is always with us. Currently, the app allows interaction with all the most popular API types, including Rest and GraphQL.

APITester Pros

• Free; available as a mobile application

APITester Cons

• Does not support folders for organization
• Does not offer a solution for Windows or Linux users
• Multiple environments cannot be configured (e.g. UAT, Prod, Dev)
• You cannot collaborate with your colleagues

curlx

Website: curlx.dev

Curlx, as you might have already guessed, is a supercharged cURL. It’s cURL with the goodness of Postman, for terminal lovers. Shivkanth Bagavathy, the creator of Curlx, has made a great decision (in my opinion) to follow cURL’s syntax so if you know how to use cURL, you’re going to feel at home with Curlx.

History and Collections make CurlX a supercharged cURL. Access past requests using the cx history command and organize requests into collections using the cx collections command.

Curlx uses your disk to store the data in JSON format which makes it super easy to version control your data and share it with your colleagues.

Curlx Pros

• Free & open source
• Follows cURL syntax which makes it easy to use
• Local storage

Curlx Cons

• Requires Node.js runtime to work, distributed via NPM

Apidog

Website: apidog.com

Reviewed: 6 November 2026

Apidog is an API client and collaborative development platform for Windows, macOS, Linux and the web. It supports REST, SOAP, GraphQL, gRPC, WebSocket and other request types, with tools for building requests, managing authentication and environments, and inspecting responses.

Its main appeal is bringing API design, debugging, testing, mocking and documentation into a shared workflow. API definitions can inform response validation, generate mock data and provide published documentation, helping teams keep these activities aligned. Visual test scenarios handle common testing tasks, while JavaScript scripting and a CLI support more customised automation and CI workflows.

Supported Features

Apidog’s strengths

• Connected workflow: Useful for developers and QA teams working across API definitions, requests, tests and documentation.
• Visual testing and scripting: Supports common testing tasks through visual controls, with JavaScript available for custom logic.
• Free team collaboration: The Free plan supports up to four users, making it an accessible starting point for a small team.

Things to consider

• Migration needs validation. Apidog imports Postman collections and environments, but scripts, request sequencing and other dependencies may need adjustments.
• Local and cloud work are separate choices. Standard collaborative projects synchronize data to the cloud; a separate desktop Offline Space supports local collections and debugging.
• Features vary by request type. Support for a protocol does not guarantee the same scripting and automated-testing capabilities available for HTTP requests.

Author’s note

Apidog is worth shortlisting if you want an everyday API client alongside shared definitions, visual testing, mocks and documentation. Its connected workflow is the strongest reason to evaluate it as a Postman alternative. Before switching, try a representative collection to assess how well it fits your team’s requests, scripts and collaboration needs.

SoapUI

Website: soapui.org | Last reviewed on: 2024-08-07

SoapUI is a versatile testing tool designed primarily for API testing, supporting both SOAP and RESTful services. It is particularly strong in complex testing scenarios, such as functional, load, and security testing, making it a preferred tool for enterprise environments.

Supported Features

SoapUI’s Pros

• SoapUI supports a wide range of protocols, making it ideal for testing both SOAP and RESTful APIs.
• It offers comprehensive testing features, including functional, load, and security testing, which are crucial for complex projects.
• It offers robust features that support large-scale testing needs.

SoapUI’s Cons

• It can be challenging for users new to API testing because of its steep learning curve.
• The tool can be resource-intensive, particularly during large-scale tests, potentially slowing down your system.
• Because of its many features, the interface can be too overwhelming at times, which makes it less user-friendly.

SoapUI vs Postman

1. Protocol Support
   • SoapUI: SoapUI primarily supports SOAP and RESTful APIs. It is particularly strong in environments where detailed SOAP API testing is required, making it a go-to tool for projects heavily reliant on these protocols.
   • Postman: Postman supports a wide range of protocols, including REST, GraphQL, SOAP, gRPC, and WebSocket APIs. This versatility makes it a flexible option for developers working across various modern APIs.
2. Usability
   • SoapUI: The interface is feature-rich but can be complex and overwhelming, especially for beginners. It is better suited for users who need detailed control over their testing environment and can handle a steeper learning curve.
   • Postman: Although Postman is known for its user-friendly design, its interface can also feel bloated with features, which might overwhelm users who prefer a simpler, more streamlined tool. While it remains accessible to new users, the large number of options available can make the UI cluttered, requiring some time to navigate efficiently.
3. Testing Capabilities
   • SoapUI: SoapUI excels in functional, load, and security testing, with advanced automation capabilities through Groovy scripting. It is ideal for complex testing scenarios, especially those involving SOAP services.
   • Postman: Postman supports automated testing and scripting (in JavaScript) and is optimized for quick, straightforward API validations. However, it may not offer the same depth as SoapUI in some areas, particularly in load testing and complex scenarios.
4. Collaboration
   • SoapUI: Collaboration is possible but often requires integration with third-party tools, making it less seamless compared to Postman. It is more geared toward individual or small team use in larger projects.
   • Postman: Postman offers collaboration features, including shared workspaces and version control, making it suitable for teams working on shared projects.
5. Performance
   • SoapUI: Can be resource-intensive, especially during large-scale testing like load tests, which might affect system performance.
   • Postman: Generally lighter on system resources, making it a more efficient option for quick tasks. However, its feature-rich interface can sometimes feel sluggish, particularly when dealing with large collections and complex setups.

Hurl

Website: hurl.dev | Last reviewed on: 2025-07-22

Hurl is an open-source command-line tool for running and testing HTTP requests with a focus on simplicity and human-readable syntax. Built on top of libcurl using Rust which we all love, Hurl allows you to define HTTP requests in plain text files and execute them directly from the terminal. Unlike GUI-based tools, Hurl embraces a text-first approach that makes it particularly appealing to developers who prefer working in the command line and want to version control their API tests alongside their code.

Supported Features

Hurl’s Pros

• Lightweight and fast - Single binary with no runtime dependencies
• Text-based format makes it easy to version control, diff, and collaborate on API tests
• Built on libcurl ensuring high performance and reliability with proven HTTP handling
• Simple syntax that’s human-readable and doesn’t require learning complex scripting languages
• Perfect for CI/CD integration due to its command-line nature and exit codes
• Request chaining with response capturing for complex testing scenarios
• Advanced assertions supporting XPath and JSONPath for detailed response validation
• No GUI overhead - runs efficiently in headless environments

Hurl’s Cons

• Command-line only - no graphical interface available for users who prefer GUI tools
• Limited random data generation compared to GUI tools with built-in generators
• Steeper learning curve for users not comfortable with command-line tools
• No built-in collaboration features beyond standard file sharing and version control

Author’s Note on Hurl

Hurl represents a refreshing approach to API testing by embracing simplicity and the command line. If you’re a developer who lives in the terminal and wants to treat API tests as code, Hurl is an excellent choice. The plain text format makes it incredibly easy to version control your API tests alongside your application code, and the libcurl foundation ensures reliable HTTP handling. While it lacks the visual appeal of GUI tools, its simplicity and integration capabilities make it particularly valuable for DevOps workflows and automated testing pipelines. The learning curve is minimal if you’re already comfortable with command-line tools and curl syntax.