10 Best Insomnia APP Alternatives

Insomnia app is a popular open-source REST API client available for Mac, Windows, and Linux. It provides useful features for API testing and development like cookie management, environment variables, code generation, and authentication.

However, following the release of version 8.0, numerous bugs have surfaced, with Insomnia app data loss being the most significant issue. Personally, I lost all my data after Insomnia automatically updated. Other users have encountered problems like errors importing data and non-functional double-click renaming.

Furthermore, the offline support that was once a feature in Insomnia has been replaced by an online-only usage model. These issues in the 8.0 version have significantly impacted the user experience. In this article, we will explore the top 10 Insomnia alternatives, providing a comprehensive overview of their features, advantages, and drawbacks.

1. Apidog

While there are many alternative API clients, Apidog is an emerging insomnia alternative that distinguishes itself from the competition with a unique blend of features and benefits. It offers a comprehensive solution to address the challenges of insomnia, making it an attractive choice for those seeking a more effective API tool.

Apidog stands out as the premier all-in-one API solution. With Apidog at your disposal, you gain the ability to seamlessly enhance your API development process. It not only simplifies the design and debugging of APIs but also automates the generation of documentation, mock data, and tests, resulting in a significantly more efficient and productive development workflow.

The Key Features of Apidog:

• User-Friendly Interface: Apidog prides itself on an intuitive and user-friendly interface, ensuring that developers of all skill levels can efficiently work with APIs.
• API Debugging: Apidog's "Debug Mode" is a handy tool for backend development, enabling direct API debugging without prior documentation. This mode seamlessly syncs with "Design Mode" for flexible workflow.
• Automated Testing: Apidog streamlines the testing process by automatically generating tests, validating responses, and aiding in continuous integration, thereby automating tasks and ensuring the synchronization of API definitions.
• API Documentation: Apidog effortlessly generates visually appealing API documentation, with the added benefit of supporting online sharing. This makes it easy to share your API documentation with partners, clients, and other stakeholders, promoting a more collaborative development ecosystem.
• Mocking Data: Apidog eases the testing process by creating mock data.
• Strong Compatibility: Apidog offers robust compatibility with popular tools like Postman and Swagger, allowing for seamless one-click imports.

Apidog Pricing:

Apidog provides a free version with no time restrictions, granting full access to all the features of the professional version at no charge.  As for pricing, Apidog offers flexible options to cater to your team management needs.

2. Postman

Postman is an API client similar to Insomnia app, providing features for API testing, and more. Compared to Insomnia, Postman offers additional capabilities like monitoring, runbook automation, and enterprise-grade collaboration features. However, Insomnia provides a more streamlined interface for basic API testing needs. You can check it for details to know the Postman.

Pros of Postman:

• Comprehensive features: Postman offers a wide range of features for API development including testing, mocking, monitoring, documentation, and automation.
• Intuitive interface: The UI is user-friendly and easy to navigate when creating requests, viewing responses, and generating code snippets.

Cons of Postman:

• Postman Collection Limitation: Postman enforces limitations on the number of times a collection can be executed within specific time frames. These limitations may require users with multiple collections that need frequent running to consider upgrading to higher Postman plans.
• Price Increase: The Basic plan's cost has recently increased from $12 to $14, which may be a drawback for some users.

3. Paw

Paw is an API client for macOS only, offering similar features to Insomnia such as code generation, collections, and API documentation. Unlike the cross-platform Insomnia, Paw is restricted to the Mac operating system. However, Paw provides a native macOS design and may offer better integration for Mac users.

Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using Paw below, as well as you can check it for details.

Pros of Paw:

• Native macOS experience: Paw provides a polished UI designed specifically for macOS.
• Code generation: Paw can generate code snippets in over 10 programming languages.

Cons of Paw:

• Mac-only: Paw is restricted to macOS, with limited support for Windows and Linux.
• Cost: Paw is a paid tool starting at $50 for a license.

4. Restlet Client

Restlet Client is a Chrome extension for API testing, providing an in-browser alternative to desktop apps like Insomnia. It offers similar core features like collections and code generation. However, as a browser addon it provides quicker, more lightweight API interactions compared to Insomnia's desktop app experience.

Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using Restlet Client below:

Pros of Restlet Client:

• In-browser interface: As a Chrome extension, Restlet provides fast API testing directly in the browser.
• Custom workspaces: Environments can be segmented into isolated workspaces.

Cons of Restlet Client:

• Chrome-dependent: Functionality is limited to the Chrome browser.
• Steeper learning curve: The extensive features may have a more difficult learning curve.

Pricing: Free and paid tiers

5. Swagger UI

Unlike Insomnia's general API client capabilities, Swagger UI specifically focuses on auto-generating interactive API documentation from OpenAPI specifications, providing seamless API testing directly within the docs themselves. Here are some of its pros and cons:

Pros of Swagger UI:

• Auto-generated docs: Automatically creates interactive docs from OpenAPI specifications.
• Seamless API testing: Testing works directly within the generated documentation.

Cons of Swagger UI:

• Limited customization: Provides limited styling and branding customization options.
• OpenAPI dependence: Functionality depends heavily on OpenAPI contracts.

Pricing: Free and open source

6. SoapUI

As one of the oldest API testing tools, SoapUI provides testing capabilities for both SOAP and REST APIs. Compared to Insomnia's focus on modern API protocols like REST, GraphQL, and gRPC, SoapUI caters specifically to developers working with legacy SOAP interfaces. Here is a brief introduction to SoapUI.

Pros of SoapUI:

• Broad protocol support: Supports testing SOAP, REST, OpenAPI, and more.
• Automation capabilities: Allows for automated API monitoring and testing.

Cons of SoapUI:

• Steep learning curve: Can have a more difficult learning curve than modern alternatives.
• Dated interface: The UI is dated compared to more modern alternatives.

Pricing: Free and paid versions

7. Apicurio Studio

Apicurio Studio is an open-source API editor like Insomnia, focused specifically on OpenAPI document design and API mocking. It offers automated API testing like Insomnia but lacks extensive features for request editing, visualizing responses, etc. provided by Insomnia's graphical interface.

Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of Apicurio Studio:

Pros of Apicurio Studio:

• Open source: Apicurio is completely free and open-source.
• Automated testing: Tests can be auto-generated from OpenAPI contracts.

Cons of Apicurio Studio:

• Limited features: It lacks some robust capabilities of paid alternatives like monitoring and mocking.
• Steep learning curve: The tool may require an adjustment period, especially for less technical users.

Pricing: Free and open source

8. API Fuzzer

Unlike the broad API clients like Insomnia, API Fuzzer is specifically focused on automated API testing and fuzzing. It allows auto-generating randomized test cases rather than manual scripting of requests and scenarios like Insomnia. This makes it suitable for automated testing, while Insomnia provides a fuller-featured general API toolkit.

Here are some of the pros and cons of API Fuzzer:

Pros of API Fuzzer:

• Automated testing: API Fuzzer automatically generates and runs randomized test cases to catch edge cases.
• Integration: It integrates with CI/CD pipelines for DevOps workflows.

Cons of API Fuzzer:

• Limited scope: API Fuzzer focuses specifically on automated testing unlike Insomnia's breadth of capabilities.
• Scripting required: Writing custom fuzzing scripts requires some technical expertise.

Pricing: Free and paid tiers

9. Hoppscotch

Like Insomnia, Hoppscotch is an open-source API toolkit providing features like code generation and API testing. Compared to Insomnia, Hoppscotch offers a visual drag-and-drop interface for request chaining but has less robust collaboration tools.

Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using Hoppscotch below, as well as you can check it for detail.

Pros of Hoppscotch:

• Free plan available: Hoppscotch offers a fully-featured free tier making it easy to get started.
• Intuitive visual interface: Hoppscotch provides a drag and drop interface for sequencing API requests.

Cons of Hoppscotch:

• Limited collaboration features: The free plan lacks some team collaboration capabilities.
• Smaller community: As a newer tool, Hoppscotch has a smaller user base and community support.

Pricing: Free and paid plans

10. Postwoman

Postwoman offers a simplified open-source API client compared to Insomnia, focused on ease of use and quick interactions. It provides a stripped down set of core features like request editing and code generation. Insomnia provides more advanced capabilities but a higher learning curve; Postwoman lowers barriers for entry.

Here are some of the pros and cons of Postwoman:

Pros of Postwoman:

• Ease of use: Postwoman has an intuitive interface requiring minimal setup.
• Cross-device syncing: Workflows are synced across devices automatically.

Cons of Postwoman:

• Limited capabilities: Postwoman offers a lightweight feature set compared to Insomnia.
• New project: As a newer project, long-term support is unproven.

Pricing: Free and open source

FAQs of Insomnia App Alternatives

What is the alternative to Insomnia API testing?

Some alternatives to Insomnia for API testing include Apidog, Postman, and Paw.

Is there a free version of Insomnia?

Yes, Insomnia offers a free version that provides basic API testing and management capabilities.

What is the difference between Postman and Insomnia?

Postman and Insomnia are both API testing tools, but they have differences in terms of user interface, features, and pricing. Postman is known for its user-friendly interface and collaboration features, while Insomnia is preferred by developers for its simplicity and open-source nature.

Postman vs Insomnia: Which API Testing Tool is Right for You

In this post, we will compare the features and functionality of Postman and Insomnia, as well as their pros and cons, to help you choose the right API testing tool for your needs.

Apidog BlogKim Haewon

What is the difference between SoapUI and Insomnia?

SoapUI is primarily designed for testing SOAP-based web services, whereas Insomnia is focused on REST API testing. They differ in their protocol support and the types of APIs they are best suited for.