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Does Postman Fail to Support HTTP/2? (The Best Alternative)

Since 2017, users have been anticipating Postman's support for the HTTP/2 protocol. After six years of waiting, Postman finally rolled out HTTP/2 support in August 2024. In this article, we will provide an overview of HTTP/2 and introduce a way to easily test HTTP/2 APIs.

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@apidog

Updated on November 5, 2024

Since 2017, users have been anticipating Postman's support for the HTTP/2 protocol. After six years of waiting, Postman finally rolled out HTTP/2 support in August 2024. This long-awaited update aligns with the growing popularity of HTTP/2, which has been widely adopted due to its improved speed, efficiency, and performance over HTTP/1.1.

With this rise in HTTP/2 usage, the demand for API testing tools supporting this protocol has grown significantly. In this article, we will provide an overview of HTTP/2, explore the advantages of testing APIs with HTTP/2 support, and introduce a better alternative approach for those looking to test HTTP/2 APIs efficiently.

What is HTTP/2?

HTTP/2, released in 2015, is a new version of the HTTP protocol designed to address the limitations of HTTP/1.1. It introduces several key features to enhance web communication:

  1. Header Compression: HTTP/2 implements header compression, significantly reducing communication overhead.
  2. Multiplexing: It allows multiple data streams to be transferred simultaneously over a single TCP connection, improving communication efficiency.
  3. Server Push: Server push enables the server to proactively send data it anticipates the client will need, leading to quicker data retrieval on the client side.

While HTTP/2 offers these advancements, it maintains backward compatibility with HTTP/1.1. Most major browsers and web servers have already embraced HTTP/2 support, gradually contributing to its adoption as the next-generation protocol for faster and more efficient web communication.

Does POSTMAN Support HTTP/2 Request in 2023?

No, Postman doesn't support HTTP/2 in 2023.

Postman has long been the go-to tool for API testing, but its lack of HTTP/2 support until August 2024 left many users frustrated. Despite growing demand since 2017, Postman only recently added support for HTTP/2, years after the protocol had become the standard for many APIs, such as Apple Push Notification Service (APNs). Before this update, attempting to test HTTP/2 APIs with Postman often resulted in errors like "Could not get a response," leading to failed tests and unreliable results when interacting with servers like https://api.sandbox.push.apple.com/.

Looking for a Better Postman Alternative? Try Apidog

While Postman has finally caught up with HTTP/2, Apidog has been ahead of the curve, offering robust support for HTTP/2 testing alongside a host of advanced features. Apidog not only handles HTTP/2 requests seamlessly but also provides:

  • Comprehensive API Testing: Execute and validate your HTTP/2 requests with detailed response insights.
  • Mocking Capabilities: Test your APIs before the backend is ready, speeding up your development cycle.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Enjoy an intuitive interface designed to simplify API management and testing.
  • Automatic Client Code Generation: Save time with built-in tools that generate client code directly from your API requests.

Check out more here at Apidog's Help Center.

Apidog: Your Premier Alternative to Postman for HTTP/2 API Testing

So, how can you test HTTP/2 APIs more effectively? We introduce Apidog, a comprehensive API client tool that simplifies the testing of HTTP/2 APIs. Apidog is a comprehensive API client tool designed to streamline the process of testing APIs, offering unique features and robust capabilities that set it apart.

Apidog product interface

Apidog is more than just an alternative; it's a complete API lifecycle management tool. It provides a wide range of functionalities, including API design, specification generation, sharing, testing, and API mocking, making it a one-stop solution for all your API-related needs. With its latest version, Apidog now fully supports the HTTP/2 protocol, allowing you to test HTTP/2 APIs seamlessly.

Here's how you can benefit from Apidog:

  1. Comprehensive API Testing: Apidog simplifies the testing of various APIs, whether they use HTTP/1.1 or the latest HTTP/2. With its intuitive interface, you can create and send requests effortlessly.
  2. Optimized Communication: Apidog's HTTP/2 support ensures that your API testing is efficient and responsive, reducing latency and enhancing overall performance.
  3. Flexible Connection Methods: Apidog offers the flexibility to choose between HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2 connections. You can switch between these protocols as needed, adapting to your API's requirements.
  4. User-Friendly Settings: Within the "Settings" tab, you can easily customize your connection preferences, ensuring a smooth testing experience.

Easily Test HTTP2 APIs with Apidog

The latest version of Apidog now fully supports the HTTP/2 protocol, enabling you to easily test HTTP/2 APIs just like you would with regular HTTP APIs.

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Here's how to get started:

  1. Open Apidog and create a new request.
Creating endpoint using apidog

2. Sending the endpoint URL, such as "https://api.sandbox.push.apple.com/," results in successful response retrieval without errors.

Additionally, within the "Settings," you can choose between HTTP and HTTPS connection methods to specify your preference for HTTP/2 support.

Apidog supports HTTP/2

3. You can successfully get the response without any error by clicking the "Send" button.

Send HTTP/2 API request susing Apidog

Selecting the HTTPS Connection Method

HTTP/1.1: Choose this option for the traditional HTTP/1.1 connection protocol, ideal for servers using HTTP 1.1 or earlier.

HTTP/2 ALPN: By selecting HTTP/2 ALPN, Apidog utilizes Application-Layer Protocol Negotiation to establish connections. It first attempts a connection over HTTP/2, and will seamlessly fall back to HTTP/1.1 if the server lacks HTTP/2 support. This adaptive approach enables Apidog to automatically determine and use the protocol supported by your API, allowing easy testing of HTTP/2 APIs.

Selecting the HTTP Connection Method

HTTP/1.1: Choosing HTTP/1.1 forces this protocol to be used for all connections. Only HTTP/1.1 servers will be reachable.

HTTP/2 Prior Knowledge: Choosing HTTP/2 Prior Knowledge ensures a direct HTTP/2 connection with no fallback option. If the server lacks support for HTTP/2, the connection will fail, and there will be no attempt to use HTTP/1.1.

Conclusion

Both Apidog and Postman support HTTP/2 now. Apidog's HTTP/2 ALPN connection automatically detects the server's protocol, ensuring optimal communication. It is also possible to specify HTTP/2 directly in the settings. As an API testing tool, Apidog presents itself as a robust alternative to Postman, offering the means to embrace the future of API testing with confidence.  

Apidog is more than just an alternative to Postman; it's a comprehensive and efficient tool that empowers you to test HTTP/2 APIs effectively and effortlessly. Get started for free and experience the future of API testing with Apidog.Get started with Apidog for free today!

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