Cheaper Alternatives to Postman for API Testing

Postman has long been a go-to tool for API testing, but its pricing can be a concern for many developers, especially small teams and individual users. If you're looking for cost-effective alternatives that offer powerful API testing features, here are some excellent options to consider.

Why Look for a Postman Alternative?

• Pricing Concerns: Postman's free tier has limitations, and the premium plans can be expensive.
• Feature Overload: Some users find Postman bloated with features they don’t use.
• Performance Issues: Postman can be slow, especially when handling large API collections.
• Limited Free API Calls: Free-tier users face restrictions on the number of API requests and collections they can create.

Best Affordable Alternatives to Postman

1. Apidog – All-in-One API Development & Testing Tool

Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans are cheaper than Postman.

Key Features:

• API design, documentation, mocking, and testing in one platform.
• Automated and manual API testing with detailed reports.
• Supports GraphQL, REST, WebSocket APIs, SSE and more.
• Collaboration features for teams with role-based access.

Why Choose Apidog?

• More affordable pricing compared to Postman.
• Seamless integration with CI/CD pipelines.
• Built-in API mocking without additional setup.

Try Apidog

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2. Hoppscotch – Open-Source API Testing Tool

Pricing: Free and open-source; cloud version available.

Key Features:

• Fast and lightweight with a browser-based UI.
• Supports WebSocket, GraphQL, and SSE.
• Real-time API collaboration.

Why Choose Hoppscotch?

• Completely free with an open-source community.
• Super lightweight compared to Postman.
• Great for quick API testing without installations.

Try Hoppscotch

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3. Thunder Client – API Testing Extension for VS Code

Pricing: Free with premium features at a lower cost than Postman.

Key Features:

• Runs inside VS Code, reducing the need for an external app.
• Supports REST, GraphQL, and environment variables.
• Lightweight and fast.

Why Choose Thunder Client?

• Ideal for VS Code users.
• No need to switch between applications.
• Cheaper than Postman for advanced features.

Try Thunder Client

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Conclusion

Postman is a powerful API testing tool, but its pricing may not suit everyone. If you’re looking for an affordable or free alternative, Apidog stands out as the best all-in-one API testing solution with a lower cost than Postman. Other tools like Hoppscotch, and Thunder Client provide great alternatives depending on your needs.