Is It Time to Leave Postman in 2026? Secure API Testing and Migration After the Axios npm Attack

TL;DR

Postman’s forced cloud accounts, rising pricing, and dependence on npm packages like Axios (which was compromised in March 2026) are pushing teams toward alternatives. This guide compares Bruno, Hoppscotch, Insomnia, Yaak, and Apidog on features, pricing, Git support, and supply chain security, then walks through a practical Postman migration.

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Introduction

Something shifted in the API testing landscape in 2026, and it wasn’t a new feature release. It was a security breach.

On March 31, 2026, Axios, the HTTP client library that powers millions of API testing scripts, was compromised through a stolen npm maintainer account. A cross-platform RAT was deployed to developers running npm install. The attack lasted roughly three hours across 83 million weekly downloads.

If your API testing workflow depends on npm packages for HTTP requests, you were in the blast radius. That includes Postman-based workflows that use Axios in pre-request scripts, test scripts, or Newman integrations.

This is not the only reason teams are leaving Postman. Pricing increases, forced cloud accounts, and the removal of local-only Scratch Pad mode have been pushing developers toward alternatives since 2023. But the supply chain security angle changes how you should evaluate your next API testing platform.

Apidog provides a complete API development platform with a built-in HTTP client, zero npm dependencies for core functionality, and full offline capability. Use the migration steps below to test it with your existing Postman collections.

This guide compares the top five Postman alternatives on the criteria that matter in 2026:

• Core API testing features
• Git and version-control support
• Pricing model
• Offline and cloud behavior
• npm and supply chain exposure
• Migration effort from Postman

Why teams are leaving Postman

1. Pricing is harder to justify

Postman’s free tier once covered most solo developer needs. That’s no longer the case.

The free plan now restricts collection runs, monitoring, and collaboration features. The Basic plan starts at $12/user/month. The Professional plan runs $23/user/month.

For many teams, API testing is a core workflow, not a premium add-on. If your team has dozens of developers, QA engineers, and platform engineers using the tool daily, per-seat pricing becomes a real budget item.

2. Local-only workflows are harder

In 2023, Postman removed Scratch Pad, its local-only mode. Every user now needs a Postman account, and collections sync to Postman’s cloud by default.

That matters if you work with:

• Healthcare APIs
• Fintech APIs
• Government systems
• Internal-only services
• Air-gapped environments
• Regulated customer data

Postman Vault can store secrets locally, but the default architecture is still cloud-first. If your policy requires offline API testing, you need to evaluate alternatives.

3. npm supply chain exposure is now part of the risk model

Postman’s ecosystem depends on npm packages in several places:

• Newman, the CLI collection runner, pulls from npm
• Pre-request scripts and test scripts can import npm packages
• Custom visualizers can use npm dependencies
• CI jobs often install Postman-related tooling dynamically

The Axios compromise exposed a structural risk: if your API testing workflow depends on npm packages for HTTP communication, you inherit the supply chain risk of those packages.

A compromised HTTP client library can potentially intercept, modify, or exfiltrate:

• API tokens
• Session cookies
• Request bodies
• Response payloads
• Internal API URLs
• Environment variables

This does not mean Postman is insecure. It means you should now ask a new question when choosing an API testing tool:

How many third-party dependencies does this tool introduce into my API testing security perimeter?

The five Postman alternatives compared

Apidog

Philosophy: All-in-one API lifecycle platform. Design, test, debug, mock, and document APIs in one tool.

Apidog is not just an API client. It combines API design, testing, mocking, documentation, and collaboration into one workflow.

Strengths

• Built-in HTTP client with zero npm dependencies
• Visual test builder with no-code assertions
• Smart mock server with dynamic responses
• Auto-generated documentation from API specs
• Full OpenAPI/Swagger support with visual designer
• Team collaboration with real-time sync
• CI/CD integration via Apidog CLI
• Import from Postman, Swagger, OpenAPI, cURL, and HAR
• Branch support for API versioning
• Offline desktop app available

Weaknesses

• Full platform has a learning curve if you only need a simple HTTP client
• Cloud sync is default, though offline mode is available
• Less established open-source community than Bruno or Hoppscotch

Pricing

Free tier with generous limits. Team plans are available for advanced collaboration.

Supply chain profile

Apidog is a self-contained platform. Its HTTP client is built in, not sourced from npm. Apidog CLI is the only npm-distributed component, and it does not handle HTTP requests through third-party libraries.

Bruno

Philosophy: Offline-first, Git-native, no cloud.

Bruno stores API collections as plain text .bru files directly on your filesystem. Collections live next to your application code and can be committed to Git.

Strengths

• Collections are human-readable files in Git
• No cloud account required
• Open-source core under the MIT license
• One-time purchase for advanced features through Golden Edition
• Supports REST, GraphQL, and WebSocket
• Imports from Postman, Insomnia, and OpenAPI

Weaknesses

• Desktop-only, with no web or mobile client
• No built-in encryption for secrets in Git unless using Golden Edition
• Smaller ecosystem than Postman
• Performance can lag on large collections
• No built-in mock server

Pricing

Free open-source core. Golden Edition is a one-time purchase for secret management, performance testing, and advanced features.

GitHub stars

30,000+

Supply chain profile

Bruno is a desktop app with no npm dependency chain for core HTTP functionality. Collections are stored locally.

Hoppscotch

Philosophy: Fast, browser-first, open-source.

Hoppscotch runs as a progressive web app. Open your browser, start testing APIs, and avoid installing a desktop client.

Strengths

• Zero install
• Runs in the browser
• Supports REST, GraphQL, WebSocket, SSE, and Socket.IO
• Generous free tier with unlimited workspaces
• Self-hostable for enterprise usage
• Lightweight and fast
• Open-source under the MIT license

Weaknesses

• Browser-based workflows inherit browser security model limitations
• Self-hosting requires infrastructure
• Fewer integrations than desktop-native tools
• Team features require Hoppscotch Cloud or a self-hosted instance
• No official CLI runner for CI/CD, though community alternatives exist

Pricing

Free open-source version. Enterprise self-hosting is available.

GitHub stars

67,000+

Supply chain profile

Hoppscotch is browser-based, so local API requests do not rely on npm dependencies. Self-hosted deployments still require auditing server-side dependencies.

Insomnia

Philosophy: Powerful desktop client for complex API workflows.

Insomnia, by Kong, has been one of the most popular Postman alternatives for years. It offers deep protocol support and plugin extensibility.

Strengths

• Mature desktop client
• Git Sync for version-controlled collections
• Inso CLI for CI/CD integration
• Plugin ecosystem
• Supports REST, GraphQL, gRPC, and WebSocket
• Design-first workflow with OpenAPI support

Weaknesses

• Required cloud account since 2023
• Owned by Kong, a commercial API gateway company
• Plugin system introduces third-party dependency risks
• Heavier resource usage than lightweight alternatives
• Community trust was affected by the cloud account change

Pricing

Free tier available. Team plans start at $12/user/month.

GitHub stars

35,000+

Supply chain profile

Insomnia is a desktop app with a plugin system. Plugins can pull from npm. Git Sync adds a cloud dependency. Inso CLI also has npm dependencies.

Yaak

Philosophy: Developer-first, no corporate bloat, built by the Insomnia creator.

Yaak was created by Gregory Schier, the original founder of Insomnia, after Kong’s cloud-first pivot. It returns to the local-first principles that made Insomnia popular.

Strengths

• Built-in encryption for secrets in Git commits
• Zero telemetry
• Supports REST, GraphQL, gRPC, and WebSocket
• Fast startup and low resource usage
• Imports from Postman, Insomnia, and OpenAPI
• Free and open-source, with no paid tiers

Weaknesses

• Newest tool on this list
• Smallest community
• Fewer advanced features than mature competitors
• No built-in CI/CD runner yet
• No mock server
• Limited team collaboration features

Pricing

Free. No paid tiers.

GitHub stars

Growing, as it is a newer project.

Supply chain profile

Yaak is a desktop app with minimal dependencies. It is local-first and supports encrypted Git storage.

Feature comparison table

Feature	Postman	Bruno	Hoppscotch	Insomnia	Yaak	Apidog
REST	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
GraphQL	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
gRPC	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
WebSocket	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Mock server	Yes	No	No	Plugin	No	Yes
Auto docs	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes
Visual test builder	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes
Git-native storage	No	Yes	No	Git Sync	Yes	Branch support
Offline mode	Limited	Yes	No	Limited	Yes	Yes
CI/CD runner	Newman	No	Community	Inso	No	Apidog CLI
Open source	No	Yes	Yes	Partial	Yes	No
No cloud account	No	Yes	Self-host	No	Yes	Free tier works offline
No npm HTTP deps	No	Yes	Yes, browser	No	Yes	Yes
Secret encryption	Vault	Golden Edition	N/A	No	Built-in	Built-in

The supply chain security angle

Supply chain exposure is now a core evaluation criterion for API tools.

When reviewing an API testing platform, check:

1. Does the core HTTP engine depend on npm packages?
2. Does the CLI runner install from npm?
3. Can test scripts import arbitrary npm packages?
4. Do plugins execute third-party code?
5. Are secrets stored locally, in Git, or in a vendor cloud?
6. Can you run the tool fully offline?

Dependency exposure by tool

Tool	Core HTTP engine	npm dependencies in workflow	CI/CD npm exposure
Postman	Built-in	Scripts can import npm packages	Newman via npm
Bruno	Built-in	Minimal	None
Hoppscotch	Browser fetch	None for browser usage	Community runners
Insomnia	Built-in	Plugins via npm	Inso via npm
Yaak	Built-in	Minimal	None
Apidog	Built-in	None for core workflow	Apidog CLI, self-contained

What the Axios attack means for each tool

Postman

If your test scripts use require('axios') or any npm HTTP library, the Axios compromise could have executed in your Postman runner. Newman also pulls from npm, so CI/CD runs during the attack window were exposed.

Bruno

Bruno was not affected in its core request execution path. Its HTTP client is built into the desktop app, and no npm packages are involved in request execution.

Hoppscotch

Hoppscotch browser usage was not affected in the same way because the browser’s native fetch handles HTTP requests. Self-hosted deployments still have server-side dependencies to audit.

Insomnia

Insomnia is partially exposed through plugins and Inso CLI. Core HTTP requests use the built-in client, but plugins can introduce npm dependencies.

Yaak

Yaak was not affected in the core workflow. It is a self-contained desktop app with minimal dependencies.

Apidog

Apidog was not affected in its core request execution path. It uses a built-in HTTP client with no npm dependency chain for request execution. Apidog CLI is the only npm-distributed component, and it handles orchestration rather than HTTP execution through third-party libraries.

How to migrate from Postman

Step 1: Export your Postman collections

In Postman:

1. Open the collection.
2. Click the three-dot menu.
3. Select Export.
4. Choose Collection v2.1 format.
5. Save the JSON file.

For bulk export, use the Postman API:

curl -X GET "https://api.getpostman.com/collections" \
  -H "X-Api-Key: YOUR_POSTMAN_API_KEY" | jq '.collections[].uid'

Then export each collection by UID:

curl -X GET "https://api.getpostman.com/collections/COLLECTION_UID" \
  -H "X-Api-Key: YOUR_POSTMAN_API_KEY" \
  -o collection.json

Step 2: Export environments

If your collections depend on variables, export environments too.

In Postman:

1. Go to Environments.
2. Select the environment.
3. Click the export option.
4. Save the environment JSON file.

You should migrate:

• Base URLs
• Auth tokens
• API keys
• Tenant IDs
• User IDs
• Feature flags
• Service-specific variables

Before importing, review the exported JSON and remove any secrets you do not want stored in the new tool.

Step 3: Import into your chosen alternative

Bruno

Use:

File > Import Collection > Postman Collection

Bruno converts Postman JSON into .bru files on your filesystem.

Hoppscotch

Use:

Settings > Import > Postman

Upload the exported JSON file.

Insomnia

Use:

Application > Preferences > Data > Import Data > From File

Yaak

Use:

File > Import

Then select your Postman export file.

Apidog

Use:

Project Settings > Import > Postman Collection

Apidog preserves environments, variables, and test scripts during import. It also supports imports from:

• OpenAPI specs
• Swagger files
• cURL commands
• HAR files

Step 4: Verify requests after import

After importing, do not assume everything works. Run a focused verification pass.

Check:

• Request URLs
• Path parameters
• Query parameters
• Headers
• Auth configuration
• Body payloads
• Environment variables
• Pre-request scripts
• Test scripts
• File uploads
• Generated examples

Start with a small group of high-value endpoints:

• Login/auth
• Health check
• Create resource
• Read resource
• Update resource
• Delete resource
• Error responses

Step 5: Convert test scripts

Postman test scripts use the pm.* API. Each alternative has its own scripting or assertion model.

A typical Postman test looks like this:

pm.test("Status code is 200", () => {
  pm.response.to.have.status(200);
});

pm.test("Response has user data", () => {
  const json = pm.response.json();
  pm.expect(json.name).to.exist;
});

In Apidog, common assertions can be created visually without scripting:

• Response status equals 200
• JSON path $.name exists
• Response time is less than 500ms
• Header content-type contains application/json
• Body field equals an expected value

For complex logic, Apidog supports custom scripts with a similar API.

Step 6: Rebuild environment strategy

Most Postman alternatives support familiar variable scopes:

• Global variables
• Environment variables
• Collection variables
• Request-level variables

A common environment structure is:

Local
  base_url=http://localhost:3000
  auth_token=...

Staging
  base_url=https://staging-api.example.com
  auth_token=...

Production
  base_url=https://api.example.com
  auth_token=...

Apidog also adds branch support, so you can maintain different API versions with separate environment configurations.

For example:

main
  Production API

develop
  Staging API

feature/new-billing-api
  Experimental billing endpoints

Step 7: Update CI/CD pipelines

If you use Newman today, replace it with the CLI runner for your new tool.

Current Postman/Newman command:

newman run collection.json -e environment.json

Apidog CLI example:

apidog run --test-scenario-id YOUR_SCENARIO_ID

Insomnia/Inso example:

inso run test "My Test Suite" --env "Production"

When updating CI/CD, verify:

• Exit codes fail the pipeline correctly
• Environment variables are injected securely
• Secrets are not printed in logs
• Reports are archived as build artifacts
• Test runs are scoped to the right environment

Step 8: Remove unused npm dependencies

After migration, audit your API testing repository and CI config.

Look for dependencies such as:

{
  "dependencies": {
    "axios": "...",
    "newman": "...",
    "request": "...",
    "node-fetch": "..."
  }
}

If the new workflow does not need them, remove them:

npm uninstall axios newman request node-fetch

Then regenerate your lockfile:

npm install

Finally, run your package audit process:

npm audit

Which alternative is right for your team?

Choose Apidog if:

• You want the complete API lifecycle in one platform
• You need mock servers, auto-generated docs, and visual testing
• Supply chain security matters
• You want no npm HTTP dependencies in core request execution
• You are migrating a team from Postman and want feature parity
• You need branch support for API versioning

Choose Bruno if:

• You want Git-native collections with zero cloud dependency
• Your team values open-source and file-based workflows
• You do not need mock servers or auto-generated docs
• Budget is a concern
• You want free core features

Choose Hoppscotch if:

• You want zero installation
• You prefer browser-based access
• Your team is distributed and needs instant access
• You are comfortable self-hosting for team features
• You prefer a lightweight tool over a full platform

Choose Insomnia if:

• You need gRPC support alongside REST and GraphQL
• Git Sync is important for your team workflow
• You already use the Kong ecosystem
• You need plugin extensibility
• You are comfortable with its cloud account requirement

Choose Yaak if:

• Privacy is your top priority
• You want zero telemetry
• You want built-in secret encryption for Git
• You prefer minimal, fast tools over feature-rich platforms
• You trust the Insomnia creator’s design philosophy

Migration checklist

Use this checklist before fully switching away from Postman.

[ ] Export all Postman collections
[ ] Export all Postman environments
[ ] Remove or rotate sensitive exported secrets
[ ] Import collections into the new tool
[ ] Import environments
[ ] Verify auth flows
[ ] Verify core CRUD endpoints
[ ] Convert pm.* test scripts
[ ] Recreate monitors or scheduled runs
[ ] Update CI/CD pipeline
[ ] Remove Newman if no longer needed
[ ] Remove unused npm HTTP libraries
[ ] Validate reports and pipeline failures
[ ] Train the team on the new workflow
[ ] Archive old Postman exports securely

FAQ

Can I use Postman collections in other tools?

Yes. All five alternatives listed here support importing Postman Collection v2.1 format. Environments, variables, and basic test scripts transfer with varying degrees of fidelity. Complex Postman scripts using the pm.* API may need manual conversion.

Is Postman still a good tool?

Postman remains feature-rich and well-documented. For solo developers who do not mind cloud accounts and can afford the pricing, it is still capable.

The concerns are about pricing trajectory, cloud dependency, and npm supply chain exposure, not core functionality.

Does the Axios attack affect Postman directly?

The Axios compromise does not affect Postman’s built-in HTTP client.

However, if your Postman test scripts, pre-request scripts, or Newman-based CI/CD pipelines import Axios or other npm packages, those components were exposed during the attack window.

Which alternative has the best CI/CD integration?

Apidog CLI and Insomnia’s Inso both offer mature CI/CD integration.

Apidog CLI is self-contained and does not rely on npm packages for HTTP execution. Inso has npm dependencies. Bruno and Yaak do not have official CLI runners yet.

Can I self-host any of these tools?

Hoppscotch offers self-hosting for team deployments. Apidog offers on-premise deployment for enterprise customers.

Bruno, Yaak, and Insomnia are desktop-first with optional cloud features.

How long does migration from Postman take?

For a small team with fewer than 50 collections, expect 1-2 hours for import and basic verification.

Complex test scripts with heavy pm.* API usage may take longer to convert. Environment and variable migration is typically straightforward across all tools.

Is open-source always more secure than proprietary?

Not automatically.

Open-source tools benefit from community code review, but they also expose their attack surface publicly. Proprietary tools benefit from controlled access but lack transparency.

The better security posture is to minimize your dependency surface, understand where code executes, and control where API data is stored.

The Axios incident is also a reminder that install tooling is part of your attack surface, which is one reason Aube, the fastest Node.js package manager, has been drawing attention from teams rethinking their npm workflow.

If the security angle alone has not convinced you to switch, the performance and bloat case against Postman in 2026 covers the day-to-day slowdowns that affect developer experience regardless of security posture.

Key takeaways

• Postman’s pricing, cloud requirements, and npm ecosystem exposure are driving teams toward alternatives in 2026
• The Axios supply chain attack adds a new evaluation criterion: how many third-party dependencies your API testing tool introduces
• Bruno and Yaak offer strong offline-first, Git-native workflows
• Hoppscotch provides the lowest barrier to entry with zero installation
• Apidog offers strong Postman feature parity while avoiding npm HTTP dependencies in core request execution
• Migration from Postman is straightforward because all five alternatives support collection import
• Your API testing tool should reduce operational risk, not add another dependency chain to audit

Your API testing platform is part of your security perimeter. Evaluate the dependency chain, storage model, offline support, and CI/CD execution path before choosing your next tool.