Karate

Windows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API · Extension · paid plans from $8.33/mo

Freedom report

Three barsScore 6.6

Free tierA free tier is on its own pricing page
Open codeNo open-source code on record
Runs widely3 of 6 device platforms
DocumentedPlans, terms and facts published

Karate is ranked #6 of 35 in API testing tools on Freedom251. It runs on API, Browser extension, Linux, macOS, Self-hosted, Windows. There is a free plan. Paid plans start at $8.33/mo.

Karate plans and pricing

All plans

Free Free forever MIT-licensed framework · REST, GraphQL, SOAP API testing · browser and desktop UI automation · Gatling performance testing · mocks and stubs · CI/CD integration · Xplorer free tier · community support karatelabs.io · 3 Oct 2026

IDE Plus $100/yr per user / year Syntax highlighting · run from IDE · structure view · formatting karatelabs.io · 3 Oct 2026

Xplorer Premium $200/yr per user / year Premium features for the Xplorer desktop API client karatelabs.io · 3 Oct 2026

Pro $640/yr per user / year Everything in Free · IntelliJ and VS Code Pro plugins · debugging and step-through · enhanced autocomplete · Xplorer Premium · async protocol testing for development · priority email support karatelabs.io · 3 Oct 2026

Karate Enterprise Not published annual Custom commercial license · Async Protocol Pack · Enterprise IDE · Karate Agent · API Coverage and Governance · commercial support and SLA karatelabs.io · 3 Oct 2026

Compared on API testing tools

Free plan: Yes
CI/CD integration: Yes

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The record

Purpose: Karate combines API, UI, mock, and performance testing in one framework with readable syntax.
API testing: The framework supports REST, GraphQL, and SOAP testing with JSON/XML assertions and schema validation.
UI automation: Karate automates browsers and desktop apps, and supports combining UI and API steps in one test.
Performance: Karate can reuse API tests as performance tests through built-in Gatling integration.
Integrations: The integrations page lists tools and platforms including AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, Jenkins, GitHub Actions, Maven, Gradle, Docker, IntelliJ, VS Code, and Gatling.
Protocols: The site lists Kafka, gRPC, and WebSocket testing in its enterprise async protocol offering; production CI/CD execution requires an Enterprise runtime license.
Security: Karate Labs says its products run locally or in customer infrastructure, store no customer test data, and ship with zero telemetry.
Offline use: Enterprise customers can activate licenses offline, and the site describes the product as suitable for fully air-gapped environments.
SSO: The trust page lists OIDC sign-in with Google Identity and Microsoft Entra ID, plus dedicated SAML or OIDC connections through WorkOS for enterprise customers.
Support: The free tier includes community support, Pro includes priority email support, and Enterprise includes commercial support with an SLA and dedicated Slack channel.
License: The open-source Karate framework is offered under the MIT license, with the core framework available free for commercial projects.
Trial: The pricing page says enterprise trials are offered when the scope and expected outcome are clearly defined.
Company: Karate Labs Inc. was co-founded in November 2021 by Peter Thomas and Kapil Bakshi.
Founded: 2021
Price from: $8.33/mo

Where it ranks on Freedom251

Best API Testing Tools in 2026#6 of 35
Best BDD Testing Tools in 2026#6 of 29
Best Integration Testing Tools in 2026#6 of 26
Best Contract Testing Tools in 2026#6 of 22
Best API Governance Software in 2026#5 of 22

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Sources

karatelabs.io/product· checked 3 Oct 2026
karatelabs.io· checked 3 Oct 2026
karatelabs.io/integrations· checked 3 Oct 2026
karatelabs.io/pricing· checked 3 Oct 2026
karatelabs.io/trust· checked 3 Oct 2026
karatelabs.io/company· checked 3 Oct 2026