Whether you are a senior web developer or a student about to take your first computer science class, there is no better time to explore API (Application Programming Interface) tools.
One API tool you may have encountered during your search for "The One" could be Stoplight Studio, however, is Stoplight Studio worth the download?
What is Stoplight Studio?
Stoplight Studio is an API designing tool suited for modern API workflow. Stoplight has an intuitive design from the get-go, allowing anyone from any background to adjust quickly to the application.
Stoplight allows its users to create and collaborate on any API designs that have been shared among their teams, specializing in designs made in OpenAPI and JSON schema.
However, if you're unsure if Stoplight Studio is suitable for your API tool taste, take a look at these 10 alternatives to Stoplight Studio.
Best API Tool Alternatives to Stoplight Studio
#1 - Apidog
URL: https://apidog.com/
Key Features of Apidog
Apidog is a complete set of tools that includes every component of an API lifecycle. This includes features such as:
- API Developing Toolkit: Apidog API development tools allow developers to design and debug APIs visually in a variety of programming languages.
If you're clueless about how to begin, you can also use the code generator for any of the supported client languages. This includes the most popular languages such as JSON, Python, and Java. - Automated Testing Tool: Test scenarios (also called test cases) can be initialized to validate API requests and responses. By automating the testing stage, you can focus more on the outcome and quality of your responses.
- Online API Documentation: Struggling to remember what your API does? Apidog can help you create API documentation instantaneously, including all the little bits of details that each API that comprises your project.
- Smart Mock Server: If you need mock data, Apidog can provide it. The mock data will be generated with your API's parameters, making it usable immediately for testing.
- Tool Integration: Apidog integrates with a wide range of API tools, most notably GitHub.
- Simplicity and Intuitiveness: Apidog is extremely beginner-friendly, so anyone regardless of background can easily pick up and start utilizing Apidog.
- Free: Apidog has a free version that provides a lot of features that the paid version has, just minus advanced collaboration tools.
#2 - Postman
URL: https://www.postman.com/downloads/
Postman is a popular collaboration platform for API development that provides tools for building, testing, and documenting APIs. It is a popular API platform due to its user-friendliness.
Postman Features
User Interface: Postman provides a user-friendly and intuitive GUI (Graphics User Interface) that allows users to create, organize, and manage API requests easily.
Request Building: Users can easily create various types of HTTP requests, including GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, and others with Postman.
Collections: Requests can be organized into collections, making it easy to manage and group related API endpoints. Collections can be shared with team members for collaboration.
Environment Variables: Postman allows the use of environment variables, which makes it easy to manage different configurations for development, testing, and production environments.
Testing and Automation: Postman supports the creation of test scripts using JavaScript, which can be used for automating testing scenarios.
Postman Pros and Cons
Pros
- User-Friendly Interface: Postman provides an intuitive and easy-to-use graphical user interface, making it accessible to both experienced developers and those new to API testing.
- Versatile Request Building: Users can create various types of HTTP requests.
- Request History: Postman keeps a history of previous requests, making it easy to revisit and reuse requests that were sent in the past.
- Integration and Extensibility: Postman can be integrated with third-party tools and services. It supports the use of pre-built integrations and custom scripts, extending its functionality.
Cons
- Steep Learning Curve for Advanced Functions: While the basics are easy to grasp, some advanced features may have a steeper learning curve for users who are new to API testing or scripting. Time is required to master Postman.
- Performance Issues with Large Collections: Very large collections or environments may experience performance issues, especially when loading or syncing.
- Dependency on Cloud Services for Certain Features: Some advanced features, such as team collaboration and version control, are tied to Postman's cloud services. This may greatly affect the team's activity if internet services are not stable.
- Free Version Limitations: The free version of Postman has limitations on certain features and may not be sufficient for larger teams or organizations with advanced requirements.
#3 - Swagger UI
URL: https://swagger.io/tools/swagger-ui/
Swagger UI is an open-source API tool that provides a web-based interface for interacting with and visualizing APIs that follow the OpenAPI Specification (formerly known as Swagger Specification)
SwaggerUI Features
Try It Out Feature: Swagger UI often includes a "Try It Out" feature that allows users to execute API requests directly within the documentation. Users can modify parameters, click a button to send the request and see the live response.
Authentication Support: Swagger UI supports the display of authentication methods required for API access. This can include details on API keys, OAuth tokens, or other authentication mechanisms.
Real-Time Updates: As the API specification evolves, Swagger UI updates in real-time, ensuring users always have access to the latest and most accurate documentation.
Integration with OpenAPI Specification: Swagger UI integrates seamlessly with APIs that adhere to the OpenAPI Specification. The specification is written in JSON or YAML and describes the structure and behavior of the API.
SwaggerUI Pros and Cons
SwaggerUI Pros
- Large Community - SwaggerUI's popularity allows you to easily find communities that build on SwaggerUI. It will be easier to find guides and online assistance if you ever encounter any problems.
- Automated Features - SwaggerUI has amazing automated documentation, allowing users to focus on other aspects of API designing.
- Wide Client Language Support - SwaggerUI supports a wide range of programming languages, so it is almost guaranteed that the language you are proficient in is supported.
SwaggerUI Cons
- Steep Learning Curve - SwaggerUI's environment may be hard to understand and set up at first, so it is recommended to have someone familiar with the application to help you get started.
- Limited SOAP API Support - SOAP APIs are not as welcomed by SwaggerUI compared to other API platforms or tools.
#4 - SoapUI
URL: https://www.soapui.org/tools/soapui/
SoapUI is an open-source API testing tool for web services, mainly used for testing SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) and RESTful APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). It is developers' and testers' go-to choice for creating, executing, and analyzing API tests.
SoapUI Features
Support for SOAP and REST APIs: SoapUI is versatile and supports testing for both SOAP-based and RESTful APIs, making it suitable for a broad range of web services.
Scriptless Functional Testing - Drag and drop test steps for simple to complex scenarios.
Security Testing - SoapUI has many libraries for testing and scanning an API's security, allowing your services on websites to be protected against common security threats.
API Mocking - SoapUI is capable of creating mock data for your APIs, and can create replicas of your API to ensure that it works in real working situations.
SoapUI Pros and Cons
SoapUI Pros
- Data-Driven Testing: Data-driven testing capabilities allow users to associate test cases with various data sources, making it easy to test the same scenario with different input data.
- Rich Assertion Support: SoapUI provides a variety of assertion types for validating API responses, ensuring that the results meet the expected conditions.
- Scripting Support: For more advanced scenarios, SoapUI supports scripting using the Groovy scripting language, providing flexibility and extensibility.
SoapUI Cons
- Steep Learning Curve: SoapUI's user interface may not as be intuitive nor beginner-friendly compared to other API tools and platforms around.
- Resource Intensive: Testing scenarios may quickly become complex, which may lead to slower computer performance.
- Complexity in Load Testing Setup: Setting up and configuring load testing scenarios can be complex, especially for users who are beginners in testing APIs.
#5 - Testfully
Testfully is a multi-platform API client and testing tool that combines powerful features for teams and individuals working with APIs.
Testfully Key Features
API Client: Testfully can send API requests and manage API environments under its very own application.
Offline Mode: If in any case, you do not have an internet connection but still need to test your APIs, Testfully can go into offline mode.
Online Collaboration: Testfully allows you to share your test results with your developing team, allowing them to gain insights into the progress of your API.
Detailed Monitoring: Testfully provides details regarding your API's performance, such as error handling and uptime.
Simplified Testing: You can set up testing scenarios without understanding coding. On top of that, you can also validate responses and perform contract testing with Testfully.
Testfully Pros and Cons
Testfully Pros
- Ease of Use: Testfully focuses on a user-friendly interface, allowing even non-programmers to build and run tests effectively. Visual test building, pre-built assertions, and intuitive data management are considerably helpful features.
- Collaboration: Testfully facilitates seamless collaboration with features like shared workspaces, version control, and commenting on tests.
- Flexibility: Testfully offers various testing options, including contract testing, performance testing, and security testing. It also supports different authentication methods and data formats.
- Cloud and Offline Capabilities: Testfully allows users to choose between cloud storage for accessibility and offline storage for data security and privacy.
Testfully Cons
- Customer Support: Some user reviews mention occasional limitations in customer support response times and comprehensiveness.
- Limited Mobile App Testing: While Testfully supports API testing, its mobile app testing capabilities are still under development, making it less suitable for teams heavily focused on mobile apps.
- Limited Reporting: Compared to other alternatives, Testfully's reporting features might be considered basic. Advanced reporting with in-depth data analysis might be lacking for complex testing needs.
#6 - Yaak
URL: https://yaak.app/
Yaak is an API tool that specializes in REST and GraphQL. As it is relatively new, there are still features that may be lacking from Yaak, but it is computer performance-friendly and supports multiple environments. Overall, a very promising new API tool!
Yaak Key Features
Niche API Support: It specializes in RESTful and GraphQL-related APIs, with gRPC and Websocket support coming in soon.
Customizable Requests - Yaak supports multiple request types, and allows sending requests in batches (per folder).
Friendly Interface: The Yaak interface is dynamic, adapting to any window size, and provides clear visual responses.
Yaak Pros and Cons
Yaak Pros
- Light Performance: Most devices should be able to run Yaak as the minimum requirements for system specifications are not that high.
- Simple and Intuitive: The Yaak interface is very simple, and anyone from any working background should understand how to operate Yaak in no time.
- Supports Imports: You can import previous works from other apps onto Yaak.
Yaak Cons
- Limited Features and Functions: Due to Yaak being a relatively new API tool, not all the promised features are out yet, therefore some more advanced features may still be unavailable in the meantime.
- Missing Folder Authorization: Yaak may lack the authorization and room for personalization for folder management.
#7 - Bruno
URL: https://www.usebruno.com/
Bruno is a fast-rising Git-Friendly open-source API client. The developers of Bruno are keen on improving what Postman, Insomnia, and other API tools lack, providing the best user experience that developers can experience.
Bruno Key Features
Full Offline Mode: The creators of Bruno have made it clear that Bruno is offline-only, and it seems they will not make it offline. Their reason: they value data privacy, and whatever you create should remain solely on your device (unless you decide to distribute it of course!).
Git / Version Control-Friendly: Bruno's compatibility with Git or other available version controllers allows you and other developers to collaborate on API projects.
Bruno Pros and Cons
Bruno Pros
- Free and Fast: Many users love how light the app runs on their devices, and Bruno provides so many features while being free.
- Open-source and Community Growth: Bruno is well welcomed by the web development community, as it quickly replacing big API tool names like Postman and Insomnia. You can expect guides and online help for Bruno to be up and ready in no time.
- Version Control: Bruno is one of the few API tools that provide version control functionality. It allows API revision to be a lot smoother.
Bruno Cons
- App Only: If your device is running out of memory space, you might have to delete some existing files to make room for Bruno. No web version is available.
- No Cloud Sync: Your work stays in your device only, so unless you have a good understanding of Git, it is likely that you will need to bring your device wherever you go.
- Lack of Documentation: There might be a lack of a documentation system for Bruno, so you will have to document your API as you develop it.
#8 - Insomnia
Insomnia is a sleek API Platform app that caters to local, cloud, or Git storage for API design and collaboration.
Insomnia Key Features
Open Source Driven: Insomnia is an open-source API tool that provides lots of capabilities and room for extensibility.
Multiple-Protocol Support: Insomnia supports various protocol support, where developers can create and execute HTTP, REST, GraphQL, SOAP, and other popular protocols in web development.
Online and Offline Collaboration: With Insomnia, users can choose to work entirely locally or work online with a team with the help of Git support.
Insomnia Pros and Cons
Insomnia Pros
- Intuitive UI Design: Insomnia has an easy-to-understand UI design, so navigation is easy to learn.
- Fast Loading Speed: When compared to other API platforms, Insomnia may perform faster than others.
- Customizable: You can organize several API services together with collections, and create random values for requests using Insomnia.
Insomnia Cons
- Incomplete Testing Functions: In Insomnia, testing is only available for their exclusive Design Documents.
- Lack of Advanced Scenarios: Insomnia provides basic functions and scenarios, so more complicated scenarios may not be supported.
#9 - TestSigma
TestSigma is an AI-driven, cloud-based platform for automated software testing. It offers features to help teams of various technical backgrounds create and run automated tests for web, mobile, and desktop applications, as well as APIs.
TestSigma Key Features:
1. Codeless and AI-powered: TestSigma Allows creating tests using plain English descriptions instead of needing programming knowledge, while the AI assists in test maintenance and suggesting improvements over time.
2. Unified platform: TestSigma offers features for all stages of the software testing lifecycle (STLC) within one platform. They also include modules for requirements management, test creation, test execution, reporting, and data management.
3. Cross-platform testing: TestSigma supports testing of web applications, mobile apps (Android and iOS), desktop applications, and APIs by providing access to cloud-based devices and browsers for execution.
4. Integrations: TestSigma integrates with other popular tools like CI/CD pipelines, bug-tracking systems, and collaboration platforms.
TestSigma Pros and Cons
TestSigma Pros
- Efficient Automation: TestSigma is a suitable choice if you have a lot of repetitive tests or have API lifecycle processes that do not require much configuration.
- Fast Creation and Execution: With AI helping you out on TestSigma, you can easily get your API lifecycle processes going.
- Increased Team Collaboration: TestSigma has a unified platform for all team members of the development team to work together.
TestSigma Cons
- Limited Customization: TestSigma may lack flexibility for details due to its codeless approach.
- Limited Mobile App Testing: As of the time of writing, TestSigma's mobile app testing features are still under development.
#10 - JMeter
URL: https://jmeter.apache.org/
JMeter, also known as Apache JMeter, is an open-source, Java-based tool specifically designed for performance testing and load testing. It helps you analyze and measure the performance of various services, primarily focusing on web applications.
JMeter Key Features
Various Protocol Support: JMeter can load and support various protocol types, such as HTTP, REST, and SOAP.
Extensibility: JMeter allows various extensions, many created by the community.
Java-Specialized: JMeter excels in loading and testing Java applications for testing functional behavior loading and performance measurement.
JMeter Pros and Cons
JMeter Pros
- Free and open-source: Accessible to everyone and customizable with its open-source nature.
- Cross-platform: Works on Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
- Highly extensible: Offers extensive plugin support for various features and integrations.
- Large user community: Plenty of resources, tutorials, and support available online.
JMeter Cons
- Steep Learning Curve: JMeter requires some technical knowledge of protocols and testing concepts for effective use.
- Java-Driven: JMeter is primarily a Java-based tool, though alternatives exist for non-Java environments. This limits its capabilities and compatibility with other client languages.
- Additional Plugins: JMeter has complex testing scenarios that may require advanced scripting or plugin development.
