Postman Fails to Support HTTP2 (The Best Alternative)

HTTP/2 is a protocol that is becoming increasingly popular and widely adopted by many users. With this rise in HTTP/2 usage, the demand for API testing with HTTP/2 support has also grown.

Since 2017, users have been anticipating Postman's support for the HTTP/2 protocol. However, even after six years, Postman has yet to implement this support. In this article, we will provide an overview of HTTP/2 and introduce a way to easily test HTTP/2 APIs.

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 still doesn't support HTTP/2 now. Since 2017, users have been eager for Postman to support the HTTP/2 protocol. Unfortunately, even after six years, Postman still does not offer HTTP/2 support.

Source: https://github.com/postmanlabs/postman-app-support/issues/2701

As a result of Postman's lack of HTTP/2 support, testing HTTP/2 APIs with Postman results in errors such as "Could not get a response," leading to test failures.

For instance, Apple Push Notification Service (APNs) is the push API for iPhones. https://api.sandbox.push.apple.com/ has adopted HTTP/2, but using Postman to send these requests to this server leads to unresponsive results due to Postman's incompatibility with HTTP/2.

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

So, how can you test HTTP/2 APIs 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 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.

Here's how to get started:

1. Open Apidog and create a new request.

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.

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

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

In summary, while Postman currently lacks HTTP/2 support, Apidog provides a user-friendly solution for testing HTTP/2 APIs. 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!