Side by side
json-server vs Mocki
Both stand on api mocking tools. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APISelf-hosted
Choose json-server for a free local REST API built from JSON or JSON5 files, with routes and query features for testing and prototyping. Look elsewhere if you need a version with no expected breaking changes or cannot use Node.js >=22.12.0.
Visit json-server Free plan APISelf-hostedWeb
Mocki combines configurable API behavior, local execution, and managed hosting for development and testing. Its free plan and 7-day trial offer a way to begin, while Starter adds a stated daily request allowance and monitoring dashboard.
Visit MockiThe facts
| json-server | Mocki | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Self-hosted | API, Self-hosted, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Starter: $15 a month |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | github.com | mocki.io |
| On api mocking tools | #6 of 26 | #10 of 26 |
json-server: what it does well
- Creates a fake REST API without coding.
- Reads JSON and JSON5 data files.
- Supports filtering, sorting and pagination.
- Can include related resources with `_embed`.
- Serves static files from `./public` by default.
What to know first
- Requires Node.js >=22.12.0.
- The displayed v1 documentation is beta and warns of breaking changes.
Mocki: what it does well
- Mocks can simulate errors, delays, and conditional responses.
- Runs locally, including offline, through its CLI.
- Supports REST and GraphQL.
- GitHub integration can update hosted mocks from repository changes.
- Free plan and 7-day trial are available.
What to know first
- Starter is $15 a month.
- Starter is limited to 1,000 requests per day.
- Privacy policy says absolute security cannot be guaranteed.
Alternatives to json-server Alternatives to Mocki The whole list