Free and open first
Best Apis in 2026
- 26 apps
- Research read 10 Oct 2026
- How the order is worked out
- 1
Scalar
Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+3Scalar brings several API documentation and management tools together, with hosted and self-hosted options.
- 2
Amazon API Gateway
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+1Amazon API Gateway brings API creation, traffic controls, monitoring, and authorization into a managed cloud service.
- 3
Apidog
Free plan APIExtensionLinux+4Apidog 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.
- 4
Checkly
Free plan APILinuxWebCheckly combines uptime monitors, browser-based checks, and scheduled Playwright suites with a code-oriented workflow.
- 5
Google Cloud Endpoints
Free plan APILinuxMac+2Google Cloud Endpoints combines API lifecycle management, access policies, and analytics in a hybrid deployment. Consider the listed API-call ranges and prices when choosing a tier.
- 6
Assertible
Free plan APIWebChoose Assertible if you need HTTP service checks, deployment smoke tests, or API test synchronization with common specification formats and Postman collections.
- 7
Insomnia
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1Insomnia covers API design and client workflows alongside mocking, CI/CD execution, and team collaboration.
- 8
Kong Gateway
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1Choose Kong Gateway if you need an API gateway with open-source availability and deployment options spanning on-premises, cloud, Kubernetes, and serverless environments.
- 9
Apache APISIX
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hostedAPISIX 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.
- 10
KrakenD API Gateway
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1KrakenD brings API composition, traffic controls, and multiple authentication options into a self-hosted gateway.
- 11
Google Cloud API Gateway
Free plan APIWebChoose Google Cloud API Gateway when you need a managed API layer for supported backends, with authentication, traffic controls, and request monitoring.
- 12
- 13
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Container Registry
Free plan APILinuxWeb - 14
- 15
Tyk API Management
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1Tyk suits teams seeking API gateway controls alongside lifecycle management, analytics, and deployment choice.
- 16
Stoplight Elements
Free plan Self-hostedWebStoplight Elements covers core interactive API documentation needs with OpenAPI support, code examples, and an embedded console.
- 17
SwaggerHub
by SwaggerHubFree plan Self-hostedWebSwaggerHub brings API design, documentation, testing, and governance into a set of team tools.
- 18
Gravitee API Management
Free plan LinuxWebWindows - 19
API7 Enterprise
Free trial APILinuxSelf-hosted+1API7 Enterprise combines lifecycle management, gateway policies, developer documentation, analytics, and multi-cluster organization.
- 20
ReadyAPI
Free trial APILinuxMac+3ReadyAPI covers several API testing needs, with distinct plans for testing, performance, and virtualization.
- 21
Google Apigee
Paid WebApigee 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.
- 22
Azure API Management
Paid WebAzure API Management offers a broad API management feature set with tiers for serverless, evaluation, production, and enterprise use.
- 23
IBM API Connect
Paid Web - 24
F5 NGINX App Protect DoS
Paid Linux - 25
MuleSoft Omni Gateway
Paid LinuxWebMuleSoft Omni Gateway covers a wide protocol set with several authentication and traffic-management controls. The trial can help teams assess fit before requesting pricing.
#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price