If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably got a graveyard of apps and tools installed “just to try them out.” Developers love experimenting with shiny new software but we don’t always love paying for it. The good news? There’s an incredible range of free dev tools that can supercharge your productivity without draining your wallet.
In this article, we’ll walk through 10 of the best free tools for developers right now. These tools cover everything from code editors and API testing to knowledge management, databases, and CI/CD. I’ll also sprinkle in some personal insights - like common mistakes to avoid and how to get the most out of each tool.
1. Visual Studio Code
If there’s a king of free dev tools, it’s still VS Code. Microsoft’s lightweight yet ridiculously powerful editor has become the default choice for developers across languages and frameworks.
Why it’s useful:
- Massive extension ecosystem: ESLint, Prettier, Docker, Python, React… you name it.
- Built-in Git and terminal mean you rarely leave the editor.
- Debugging is straightforward, and the new AI integrations (Copilot, GitHub Copilot Chat) are shaping how devs write code.
Pro Tip:
Customize your workflow with Workspaces. They save extensions, themes, and settings per projectno more clutter.
Common Mistake:
Many devs overload VS Code with too many extensions. A bloated editor slows everything down. Stick to essentials.
2.Insomnia (API Design & Testing)
APIs are the backbone of modern development, and testing them shouldn’t be a hassle. Enter Insomnia - a free, open-source API client that makes designing, debugging, and testing APIs simple.
Why it’s useful:
- Clean UI with support for REST, GraphQL, and gRPC requests.
- Organize environments, collections, and authentication in one place.
- Lightweight and cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux).
Pro Tip:
Use environment variables for your API keys and base URLs. It makes switching between dev, staging, and production painless.
Common Mistake:
Not taking advantage of request chaining or workspace organization. Without it, testing multiple endpoints quickly becomes chaotic.
3. Obsidian (Knowledge Management)
Every dev eventually needs a second brain. That’s where Obsidian comes in. It’s a note-taking app built around Markdown files, but its graph view and plugin ecosystem make it special.
Why it’s useful:
- Local-first (your data stays on your machine).
- Perfect for snippets, personal documentation, and tracking ideas.
- Plugins: Kanban, calendar, Git integration, and more.
Pro Tip:
Use Obsidian for personal wikis. For example, I keep a “Dev Cookbook” where I save tricky commands or Docker setups I always forget.
4. DBeaver (Database Tool)
Databases are unavoidable, and while CLI tools work, sometimes you just want a UI. DBeaver Community Edition is one of the best free database clients out there.
Why it’s useful:
- Works with SQL (Postgres, MySQL, SQLite) and even NoSQL (MongoDB).
- Query editor, ER diagrams, schema comparison.
- Cross-platform and regularly updated.
Pro Tip:
Install the Dark Theme and configure query shortcuts early. Saves tons of time during debugging.
Common Mistake:
Using DBeaver with production DBs without read-only safeguards. Always double-check before running DELETE.
5. Apidog (API Design & Testing)
If Hoppscotch is the lightweight tester, Apidog is the full-stack API companion. Think of it as Postman + Swagger + Mock Server rolled into one.
Why it’s useful:
- Free plan lets you design, test, and mock APIs.
- Built-in documentation generator - shareable with your team.
- Supports OpenAPI specs, making it easy to keep docs and tests in sync.
Pro Tip:
Use the mock server to test frontend apps before your backend is ready. It speeds up development like crazy.
Common Mistake:
Many devs ignore documentation until the end. With Apidog, you can auto-generate docs as you build - don’t skip it.
6. Excalidraw (Diagramming Tool)
Whiteboarding isn’t just for architects. Excalidraw is a free, open-source diagramming tool that feels like doodling on paper.
Why it’s useful:
- Create ERDs, flowcharts, system architecture diagrams.
- Simple, shareable links for collaboration.
- Integrates with Obsidian and VS Code.
Pro Tip:
Use Excalidraw for system design interviews or brainstorming. Its hand-drawn feel makes it less intimidating than polished UML diagrams.
7. ngrok (Tunneling Tool)
Ever needed to show your local project to a teammate - or test a webhook from Stripe or GitHub? ngrok makes it painless.
Why it’s useful:
- Instantly expose your localhost to the internet.
- Essential for testing webhooks and API integrations.
- Free tier allows basic tunnels.
Pro Tip:
Pair ngrok with a task runner (like npm scripts) so your tunnel starts automatically when you boot your app.
Common Mistake:
Sharing ngrok URLs carelessly. Remember: they’re public, and anyone with the link can hit your local machine.
8. Penpot (Design for Developers)
Not every developer is a designer, but we often need to mock up a UI. Penpot is a free, open-source design tool made with developers in mind.
Why it’s useful:
- Browser-based, collaborative design.
- Open-source alternative to Figma.
- Great for UI mockups, prototyping, and quick wireframes.
Pro Tip:
Use it for hand-off friendly designs—Penpot exports clean assets developers can plug directly into projects.
9. TablePlus (Database Client – Free Tier)
If you want something sleeker than DBeaver, TablePlus is a beautiful database client. Its free tier is limited but plenty for small dev projects.
Why it’s useful:
- Modern UI, super fast.
- Supports MySQL, Postgres, SQLite, Redis, and more.
- Easy to view and edit tables.
Pro Tip:
Use TablePlus for day-to-day queries, and keep DBeaver for heavier work like schema diffs.
10. Jenkins (CI/CD Automation)
CI/CD doesn’t have to cost a dime. Jenkins is the veteran of automation tools, and it’s still free and powerful in 2025.
Why it’s useful:
- Automate testing, builds, deployments.
- Plugins for everything under the sun.
- Self-hosted = full control.
Pro Tip:
Set up pipeline as code with Jenkinsfile. Makes your builds reproducible and version-controlled.
Common Mistake:
Treating Jenkins like a black box. Document your pipelines, or onboarding new teammates becomes a nightmare.
Wrapping Up
Productivity doesn’t have to come with a subscription fee. Tools like VS Code, Apidog, Hoppscotch, Obsidian, DBeaver, and Jenkins prove that free solutions are often more than enough to power serious development workflows.
Of course, every dev has their own toolkit. Some swear by Excalidraw for diagrams, others can’t live without ngrok tunnels. The best part? You don’t need to choose - these tools are free, so try them out and see which ones click with your workflow.
Question for you: What’s one free tool you use every single day that I missed here? Drop it in the comments - I’m always looking for new gems to try.
Top comments (19)
That's a comprehensive list, I've always been obsessed with productivity and it helps me a lot. Thx Emmanuel!
You are welcome.. As dev we really need all the productivty software we can get.
Something suggested for frontend dev?
Penpot is a Good Start
If you like self made work, look at this: genimage.
Juste copy and paste the source.That is the beauty of Juris :-).
Look at this other simpler example: Demo
Enjoy
definitely v0.dev
This is a good, beginner friendly list, and I can see your writing style improving. Good article.
Thank you Gary for the compliment. Glad you find the article interesting.
Good list!
Thank you
great list! i'd suggest adding Raycast.
for me, it's a time machine. it reduces context switching and connects tools. it makes my days more productive — and fun.
recommend 11/10.
Thx OP! It would be awesome if you include more Open Source tools!
Great list!!!
I’d add one more: Haveto. It lets you deploy AI models directly on-chain in your own language (Python, Go, Rust), no Solidity, no cloud lock-ins.
The best part? Your AI becomes an asset with its own wallet, earning as it runs.
Apidog’s design-first approach really stands out especially for teams juggling documentation, mocking, and testing in one place. The ability to auto-generate test cases and schedule runs makes it a solid choice for CI/CD pipelines. For devs who want less visual clutter than Postman Flow and more automation than Insomnia, Apidog hits a sweet spot.
yeahhh dbeaver is goood as heaven
Nice!
But How Insomnia is different from postman? What u think
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