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Stoplight Elements
What Stoplight Elements is
Stoplight Elements creates interactive API documentation from OpenAPI documents using web components that you can embed in an existing site. Its customizable navigation and three-column layout help readers browse documentation, while an embedded console lets them try requests and view responses. Elements supports OpenAPI, including version 3.1, and JSON Schema, and can show code samples in Curl, Python, Ruby, and Java. Its Markdown format supports tabs, callouts, and embedded JSON examples. The components need no build steps and can be used with any framework or HTML project. Documentation can be hosted anywhere, including S3 or GitHub, and Elements can connect to an OpenAPI document or a Stoplight Workspace. The free, open-source product is listed for web and self-hosted use. Compared with Elements DevPortal, it does not list multiple API listings, mocking, Markdown articles, branch version selection, or search. Stoplight identifies SmartBear as its parent company.
Who it suits
Elements suits teams that want to embed interactive API references in an existing web project and work with OpenAPI documents. Its framework flexibility and self-hosting option may also suit teams choosing where to host their documentation.
What it does well
- Free, open-source API documentation components
- Supports OpenAPI 3.1 and JSON Schema
- Interactive console for requests and responses
- Works with any framework or HTML project
- Can be hosted anywhere, including S3 or GitHub
What to know first
- Does not list multiple API listings
- Does not list mocking or Markdown articles
- Does not list branch version selection or search
Limits
The free plan is open-source API documentation building blocks for embedding and hosting. Elements does not list multiple API listings, mocking, Markdown articles, branch version selection, or search; its feature list also says there is no mock server or API versioning.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Stoplight Elements | Open-source API documentation building blocks · Embed into existing CMS · Host anywhere · Interactive API console · OpenAPI 3.1 support | Free |
As stoplight.io lists them, read 2 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the Stoplight Elements website.
- Choose web or self-hosted use.
- Provide an OpenAPI document or point Elements to a Stoplight Workspace.
- Embed the web components in a CMS, framework, or HTML project.
- Host the documentation, including on S3 or GitHub.
Verdict
Stoplight Elements covers core interactive API documentation needs with OpenAPI support, code examples, and an embedded console. Check whether its missing DevPortal features, such as search or multiple API listings, matter for your documentation setup.
Questions
How much does Stoplight Elements cost?
The listed Stoplight Elements plan costs nothing.
Is there a free plan?
Yes. The free plan provides open-source API documentation building blocks that can be embedded in an existing CMS and hosted anywhere.
Which platforms does Elements support?
The listed platforms are web and self-hosted.
Which API specifications does Elements support?
It supports OpenAPI, including OpenAPI 3.1, and JSON Schema. AsyncAPI support is also listed.
Can it import an OpenAPI document and show an interactive reference?
Yes. OpenAPI import and an interactive API reference are listed, and Elements can use an OpenAPI document or a Stoplight Workspace.
Who makes Stoplight Elements?
The Stoplight site identifies SmartBear as Stoplight’s parent company.
Facts from Stoplight Elements's own pages
- Code samples
- Elements provides code samples in languages including Curl, Python, Ruby, and Java. · stoplight.io, 2 Oct 2026
- Developer layout
- It offers customizable left navigation and a three-column layout for browsing API documentation. · stoplight.io, 2 Oct 2026
- Examples
- The product page says Spotify uses Elements for its “Get Artist” documentation on Spotify for Developers. · stoplight.io, 2 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · stoplight.io, 20 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Somerville, Massachusetts, United States · stoplight.io, 28 Sept 2026
- Hosting
- The product page says Elements can be hosted anywhere, including S3 or GitHub. · stoplight.io, 2 Oct 2026
- Integration
- Elements can use any OpenAPI editor and optionally point to an OpenAPI document or a Stoplight Workspace. · stoplight.io, 2 Oct 2026
- Interactive console
- The embedded API console lets readers test requests and responses within the documentation. · stoplight.io, 2 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The Stoplight site identifies SmartBear as its parent company. · stoplight.io, 2 Oct 2026
- Markdown
- Stoplight-flavored Markdown supports tabs, callouts, and embedded JSON examples. · stoplight.io, 2 Oct 2026
- Notable limits
- Compared with Elements DevPortal, Elements does not list multiple APIs, mocking, Markdown articles, branch version selection, or search. · stoplight.io, 2 Oct 2026
- Security
- Stoplight says it uses industry-standard technologies and services to protect data and conducts employee background checks and recurring security training. · stoplight.io, 2 Oct 2026
- Setup and frameworks
- Elements requires no build steps, is built on web components, and can be used with any framework or HTML project. · stoplight.io, 2 Oct 2026
- Standards
- Elements uses OpenAPI and JSON Schema, including OpenAPI 3.1 support. · stoplight.io, 2 Oct 2026
- What it does
- Stoplight Elements builds customized, interactive API documentation from OpenAPI documents using embeddable web components. · stoplight.io, 2 Oct 2026
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