20 Best API Design Tools for Mac in 2024

API design is a crucial component of modern software development, facilitating seamless communication between various applications. For Mac users, finding the right tools to design, develop, and manage APIs is essential for productivity and quality. Here, we present the 20 best API design software for Mac in 2024, including their introductions, features, pricing, and websites.

1. Apidog

Apidog is a comprehensive API design, development, and management platform that supports the entire API lifecycle, making it ideal for teams looking to streamline their API development process.

Features:

• Design-first approach with visual product interface
• Integrated testing and auto-generating documentation
• Collaboration features
• Supports various API specifications
• Pre-configured code for various frameworks ready for immediate deployment

Pricing: Free plan available; contact for pricing of premium plans

Website: Apidog

2. Postman

Postman is a widely used API development tool that simplifies the process of designing, testing, and sharing APIs.

Features:

• Intuitive UI
• Automated testing
• Mock servers
• Collaboration tools

Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $14/user/month

Website: Postman

3. SwaggerHub

SwaggerHub is an API design and documentation platform that integrates seamlessly with the Swagger/OpenAPI specifications, providing an all-in-one solution for API development.

Features:

• OpenAPI support
• Collaborative editing
• API versioning
• Integrated documentation

Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $75/user/month

Website: SwaggerHub

4. Insomnia

Insomnia is a powerful REST API client that also supports GraphQL, providing a clean and intuitive interface for designing and testing APIs.

Features:

• GraphQL support
• Environment variables
• Scriptable request workflows
• Plugin support

Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $50/year

Website: Insomnia

5. Stoplight Studio

Stoplight Studio offers a visual interface for designing APIs, enabling users to create and edit OpenAPI and JSON Schema documents effortlessly.

Features:

• Visual API design
• OpenAPI and JSON Schema support
• Mock servers
• Integrated testing

Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $8/user/month

Website: Stoplight Studio

6. Paw

Paw is a full-featured API client designed specifically for Mac, supporting REST, GraphQL, and SOAP APIs.

Features:

• Native Mac app
• Comprehensive request editor
• Dynamic values
• Extensions and integrations

Pricing: $49.99 for a one-time purchase

Website: Paw

7. API Blueprint

API Blueprint is a powerful API design tool that uses a markdown-based language to describe APIs.

Features:

• Markdown-based API description
• Tool and service integrations
• Collaborative features
• Detailed documentation generation

Pricing: Free

Website: API Blueprint

8. RAML Workbench

RAML Workbench is an API modeling tool that supports the RAML (RESTful API Modeling Language) specification.

Features:

• RAML support
• Visual editor
• Real-time collaboration
• API documentation generation

Pricing: Free

Website: RAML

9. Apiary

Apiary offers a comprehensive platform for designing, testing, and documenting APIs, supporting the API Blueprint format.

Features:

• API Blueprint support
• Mock servers
• Collaborative editing
• Integrated documentation

Pricing: Free plan available; contact for premium plan pricing

Website: Apiary

10. OpenAPI Generator

OpenAPI Generator is a versatile tool for generating API clients, servers, and documentation from OpenAPI specifications.

Features:

• Multi-language support
• Server and client generation
• Customizable templates
• Command-line interface

Pricing: Free

Website: OpenAPI Generator

11. Mockoon

Mockoon is a simple and fast tool for creating mock APIs, providing a straightforward interface for defining API endpoints and responses.

Features:

• Easy-to-use interface
• Quick setup
• Customizable responses
• Supports multiple environments

Pricing: Free

Website: Mockoon

12. Redocly

Redocly is an advanced tool for creating API documentation from OpenAPI specifications.

Features:

• OpenAPI support
• Customizable themes
• Interactive documentation
• CLI and SaaS options

Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $75/month

Website: Redocly

13. Dredd

Dredd is an API testing tool that validates API documentation against the actual API implementation.

Features:

• Documentation validation
• Multiple API formats
• Automated testing
• CI/CD integration

Pricing: Free

Website: Dredd

14. Restlet Studio

Restlet Studio is a cloud-based API design tool that offers a visual editor for creating and managing APIs.

Features:

• Visual API editor
• OpenAPI and RAML support
• Integrated testing
• Documentation generation

Pricing: Free plan available; contact for premium plan pricing

Website: Restlet Studio

15. Balsamiq Mockups

Balsamiq Mockups is useful for creating UI/UX designs that can help visualize how an API might be used in an application.

Features:

• Drag-and-drop interface
• Extensive component library
• Collaborative features
• Export options

Pricing: Plans start at $9/month

Website: Balsamiq Mockups

16. GraphQL Playground

GraphQL Playground is a powerful IDE for exploring and testing GraphQL APIs.

Features:

• GraphQL query editor
• Interactive documentation
• Real-time query execution
• Schema exploration

Pricing: Free

Website: GraphQL Playground

17. SoapUI

SoapUI is a functional testing tool for both SOAP and REST APIs, providing comprehensive testing capabilities.

Key Features:

• Test automation and scripting.
• Load and performance testing.
• Security testing for vulnerabilities.

Pricing: Open-source version available, with Pro version starting at $749/year.

Website: SoapUI

18. Firecamp

Firecamp is an API development suite that supports REST, GraphQL, WebSocket, and gRPC protocols.

Features:

• Multi-protocol support
• Intuitive interface
• Collaboration tools
• Request and response visualization

Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $10/month

Website: Firecamp

19. HoppScotch

HoppScotch is a lightweight and fast API request builder that supports REST, GraphQL, and WebSocket APIs.

Features:

• Minimalist design
• Multi-protocol support
• Environment variables
• Request history

Pricing: Free

Website: HoppScotch

20. Thundra

Thundra is an observability and debugging tool for serverless applications, which can also be used to monitor and manage APIs.

Features:

• Serverless observability
• API performance monitoring
• Real-time debugging
• Trace and log analysis

Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $50/month

Website: Thundra

Conclusion

Choosing the right API design software is crucial for ensuring efficient and effective API development. Whether you're looking for a tool with advanced features, a user-friendly interface, or robust collaboration options, this list of the 20 best API design software for Mac in 2024 has something to suit your needs. Explore these tools today to elevate your API development process!