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Best API Generation Software in 2026

API generation software helps produce APIs and related code from defined inputs. This list is for developers and teams choosing a tool on a budget.

  1. 1

    Fern

    Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+3

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

    9.2 Free plan Visit site
  2. 2

    Swagger Codegen

    Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+3

    Swagger Codegen can turn API specifications into client libraries, server stubs, and documentation, with both GitHub and SwaggerHub availability. Review untrusted definitions before generating code.

    8.6 Open source Visit site
  3. 3

    DreamFactory

    Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted

    DreamFactory combines API generation, access controls, auditing, scripting, and AI gateway features in a self-hosted platform.

    7.5 Free plan · paid from $1,500/mo (annual) Visit site
  4. 4

    Hasura

    Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1

    Hasura offers multiple API types, database connections, and deployment paths.

    7.5 Free plan · paid from $5/mo Visit site
  5. 5

    Directus

    Free plan Web
    7.3 Free plan · paid from $499/mo (annual) · 14-day trial Visit site
  6. 6

    OpenAPI Generator

    Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2

    OpenAPI Generator covers client, server-stub, and documentation generation, with options to customize output and integrate with common build workflows.

    7.2 Free plan Visit site
  7. 7

    PocketBase

    Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5
    7.2 Free plan Visit site
  8. 8

    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
  9. 9

    oapi-codegen

    Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted

    oapi-codegen covers several Go server backends and client generation, with customization for generated output. Its OpenAPI 2.0 exclusion and version requirements are key limits to check.

    7.0 Open source Visit site
  10. 10

    PostGraphile

    Free plan APISelf-hostedWeb

    PostGraphile offers an open-source route to PostgreSQL-backed GraphQL APIs, with Pro protections and replica scaling for V4 Core.

    7.0 Free plan · paid from $25/mo Visit site
  11. 11

    Supabase

    Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4

    Supabase brings a Postgres database and several backend services together, with client libraries and self-hosting documentation.

    7.0 Free plan · paid from $25/mo Visit site
  12. 12

    Parse Platform

    Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+3

    Parse Platform offers a broad, deployable backend with APIs, Cloud Code, authentication, real-time features, and multiple storage choices.

    6.9 Open source Visit site
  13. 13

    Stainless

    Free plan LinuxMacWeb

    Stainless brings SDK generation, API documentation, and code-mode MCP servers together around OpenAPI.

    6.9 Free plan · 30-day trial Visit site
  14. 14

    TypeSpec

    Free plan ExtensionLinuxMac+2

    TypeSpec combines API modeling with generation of several common schema and specification formats.

    6.9 Open source Visit site
  15. 15

    Xano

    Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+2
    6.9 Free plan · paid from $85/mo (annual) Visit site
  16. 16

    Microsoft Data API Builder

    Free plan LinuxMacWindows
    6.1 Free plan Visit site
  17. 17

    FastAPI Code Generator

    Free plan
    5.9 Free plan Visit site
  18. 18

    GraphQL Code Generator

    Free plan
    5.9 Free plan Visit site
  19. 19

    gRPC-Gateway

    Free plan
    5.8 Free plan Visit site
  20. 20

    Hey API

    Free plan
    5.7 Free plan Visit site
  21. 21

    ogen

    Free plan
    5.6 Free plan Visit site
  22. 22

    tsoa

    Free plan
    5.3 Free plan Visit site
  23. 23

    Microsoft Kiota

    Paid LinuxMacWindows
    4.5 Open source Visit site
  24. 24

    liblab

    Paid Web
    4.3 Pricing on request Visit site
  25. 25

    GraphQL Mesh

    Paid
    4.2 Open source 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

Assess accepted inputs, output formats, API styles, generated languages and deployment choices. Check free-plan limits, trial length, paid pricing and the licence when open-source code matters.

Questions

What should I compare in API generation software?

Review free-plan terms, paid pricing, generation inputs, output formats, API styles, generated languages and deployment choices.

Do these tools offer free plans?

Examples with free plans include Directus, DreamFactory, Hasura, Fern and Microsoft Data API Builder.

Which tools list open-source code?

Open-source code is identified for GraphQL Mesh and Microsoft Kiota. Check the licence before reading or changing code for a project.

Are free trials available?

Some listed tools provide trial access, and Directus specifies a 14-day trial.

Which platforms are supported?

Check whether a tool supports web, Linux, self-hosted, macOS, API or Windows environments; support depends on the tool.

What paid prices are listed?

Hasura shows paid plans starting at $5 per month. Directus lists $499 per month and DreamFactory $1,500 per month on annual billing. liblab provides pricing on request.

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