Best API Testing Tools in 2026
Updated
In short: Apidog is ranked #1 of 35 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Postman and Bruno. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Postman. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Thunder Client at $3/mo.
API testing tools help you check how APIs behave, validate contracts, and fit tests into development workflows. Compared on CI/CD integration and contract testing, the entries also differ in GraphQL and SOAP support, mock servers, and scheduled runs. Consider which protocols and test workflows matter for the APIs you maintain, then look at included requests, free-plan availability, and paid-from pricing. Apidog, Postman, and Bruno are among the options shown, alongside Hoppscotch and Insomnia. The listed criteria give you a practical basis for matching capabilities to your testing needs.
35 API testing tools ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
14 of the 25 here have a free tier you can use, 0 have open-source code on record, and 0 have full bars: free, open, on most of your devices and documented.
| # | App | Signal | Free tier | Open code | Devices | From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ApidogWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API · Extension | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | $9/mo | 6.7 | |
| 2 | PostmanWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Extension | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | $9/mo | 6.7 | |
| 3 | BrunoWindows · Mac · Linux · API · Extension | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | $6/mo | 6.6 | |
| 4 | HoppscotchWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | $6/mo | 6.6 | |
| 5 | InsomniaWindows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | $12/mo | 6.6 | |
| 6 | KarateWindows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API · Extension | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | $8.33/mo | 6.6 | |
| 7 | KreyaWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | $5/mo | 6.6 | |
| 8 | PactWindows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | $115.42/mo | 6.6 | |
| 9 | SchemathesisWindows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 10 | SoapUIWindows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 11 | PactFlowWeb · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | $115.42/mo | 6.4 | |
| 12 | Thunder ClientWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | $3/mo | 6.4 | |
| 13 | ApiaryWeb · API | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | |
| 14 | Stoplight ElementsWeb · Self-hosted | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | |
| 15 | Parasoft SOAtestWindows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | — | — | 5 of 6 | — | 5.7 |
| 16 | HTTPieWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 4 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 17 | KeployWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 4 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 18 | YaakWindows · Mac · Linux | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | $6.58/mo | 5.4 |
| 19 | EvoMasterWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 20 | EvoMasterWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 21 | HurlWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 22 | RESTlerWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 23 | AssertibleWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 24 | CitrusNo platforms listed | No signal | — | — | 0 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 25 | HttpMasterWindows | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which API testing tool is ranked first on Freedom251?
Apidog is ranked #1 of 35 with a score of 6.7. Postman is second and Bruno third.
How many of these have a free plan?
14 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Thunder Client has the lowest first paid tier we found: $3/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked free-and-open first: a usable free tier and open-source code, then the platforms it runs on and its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.