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Best Api 1 in 2026

API tools in this list help teams design, publish, secure, test, and manage APIs through gateways, portals, and related developer tools. They run on platforms such as web, Linux, Windows, macOS, self-hosted systems, or API services.

  1. 1

    Bruno

    Free plan Open source APIExtensionLinux+3

    Bruno pairs API testing and automation with Git-friendly plain-text collections and companion tools.

    9.2 Free plan · paid from $6/user/mo (annual) · 14-day trial Visit site
  2. 2

    Fern

    Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+3

    Fern combines API documentation publishing with client library generation and offers a defined Free plan.

    9.1 Free plan Visit site
  3. 3

    Scalar

    Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+3

    Scalar brings several API documentation and management tools together, with hosted and self-hosted options.

    8.7 Free plan · paid from $150/mo Visit site
  4. 4

    Amazon API Gateway

    Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+1

    Amazon API Gateway brings API creation, traffic controls, monitoring, and authorization into a managed cloud service.

    7.7 From $1 Visit site
  5. 5

    Apidog

    Free plan APIExtensionLinux+4

    Apidog combines API design, testing, mocking, and documentation with specification-driven workflows and deployment choices. Check the plan details and database limits against your team's requirements.

    7.6 Free plan · paid from $9/user/mo (annual) · 14-day trial Visit site
  6. 6

    Fusio

    Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1

    Fusio combines a self-hosted gateway with schema tools, a developer portal, and API monetization features.

    7.5 Open source Visit site
  7. 7

    Insomnia

    Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1

    Insomnia covers API design and client workflows alongside mocking, CI/CD execution, and team collaboration.

    7.3 Free plan · paid from $12/user/mo · 14-day trial Visit site
  8. 8

    KrakenD API Gateway

    Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1

    KrakenD brings API composition, traffic controls, and multiple authentication options into a self-hosted gateway.

    7.3 Free plan Visit site
  9. 9

    Apache APISIX

    Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted

    APISIX combines API and AI gateway functions with broad protocol and plugin support. Its self-managed model and separate commercial support are important considerations for teams evaluating it.

    7.2 Free plan Visit site
  10. 10

    Mockoon

    Free plan APILinuxMac+3

    Mockoon covers local mock creation as well as automated, serverless, and private deployment workflows.

    7.2 Free plan · paid from $100/mo (annual) Visit site
  11. 11

    Postman

    by Postman
    Free plan ExtensionLinuxMac+2

    Postman combines API creation, testing, documentation, and monitoring in one platform, with a free plan and paid options. Check plan availability and the annual billing terms before choosing a tier.

    7.2 Free plan · paid from $9/mo (annual) Visit site
  12. 12

    Speakeasy

    Free plan APILinuxMac+2

    Speakeasy brings MCP governance, workflow assistants, and API tooling into one platform. Teams evaluating the Enterprise plan will need to request pricing.

    7.1 Free plan · pricing on request · 14-day trial Visit site
  13. 13

    Redocly

    by Redocly
    Free plan APIExtensionWeb

    Redocly brings API references, collaboration, governance, and monitoring into one product set, with an open-source CLI and VS Code extension.

    7.0 From $10/user/mo · 30-day trial Visit site
  14. 14

    Tyk API Management

    Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1

    Tyk suits teams seeking API gateway controls alongside lifecycle management, analytics, and deployment choice.

    6.9 Pricing on request · 2-day trial Visit site
  15. 15

    Gravitee API Management

    Free plan LinuxWebWindows
    6.7 Free plan · paid from $2,500/mo · 14-day trial Visit site
  16. 16

    ReadMe

    by ReadMe
    Free plan Web
    6.7 Free plan · paid from $250/mo (annual) · 14-day trial Visit site
  17. 17

    Stoplight Elements

    Free plan Self-hostedWeb

    Stoplight Elements covers core interactive API documentation needs with OpenAPI support, code examples, and an embedded console.

    6.7 Free plan Visit site
  18. 18

    SwaggerHub

    by SwaggerHub
    Free plan Self-hostedWeb

    SwaggerHub brings API design, documentation, testing, and governance into a set of team tools.

    6.7 Pricing on request Visit site
  19. 19

    Bump.sh

    Free trial APISelf-hostedWeb

    Bump.sh combines API documentation workflows with MCP server generation and release checks. Review its hosting model, certification status, and plan limits before choosing a tier.

    6.3 From $50/mo · 14-day trial Visit site
  20. 20

    Spectral

    Free plan LinuxMacWindows
    5.9 Free plan Visit site
  21. 21

    Kong Konnect

    Free trial APILinuxMac+3

    Kong Konnect brings gateway management together with API lifecycle, catalog and analytics capabilities.

    5.1 From $25/mo · 30-day trial Visit site
  22. 22

    Azure API Management

    Paid Web

    Azure API Management offers a broad API management feature set with tiers for serverless, evaluation, production, and enterprise use.

    4.8 Pricing on request Visit site
  23. 23

    Google Apigee

    Paid Web

    Apigee offers several API management capabilities alongside pricing tiers based on proxy type, calls, and environments. Review the relevant usage and regional costs before choosing a plan.

    4.8 From $13 · 60-day trial Visit site
  24. 24

    IBM API Connect

    Paid Web
    4.7 From $83/mo (annual) · 30-day trial Visit site
  25. 25

    WSO2 API Manager

    Paid LinuxMacWeb+1
    4.3 Open source · 30-day trial Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

Compare free plans with paid starting prices, trial periods, deployment choices, API gateway features, API specification support, rate limiting, free-tier API calls, and developer portals. If you need to read or change code, check the licence for open-source tools.

Questions

Which API tools have a free plan?

Apache APISIX, Apidog, Bruno, Fern, Fusio, Gravitee API Management, Insomnia, and Amazon API Gateway list a free plan.

Which tools offer a free trial?

Apidog, Bruno, Bump.sh, Gravitee API Management, and Insomnia list 14-day trials. Google Apigee lists 60 days, and IBM API Connect lists 30 days.

Which API tools are open source?

Apache APISIX, Bruno, Fern, Fusio, and Scalar are listed as open source. Check the licence before reading, changing, or redistributing code.

What is the lowest listed paid starting price?

Amazon API Gateway lists pricing from $1. Other listed starts include Apidog at $9 per user per month annually and Bruno at $6 per user per month annually.

Which platforms do these tools support?

Platforms represented in the list include web, Linux, self-hosted, Windows, macOS, and API services.

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