5 Best Postman Alternatives in 2025

1. DevBook

DevBook is a browser-based API workbench built around two ideas: a template builder with {{fillable fields}} and an API key vault that auto-fills credentials by matching variable names.

There's no desktop app to download — you open a browser tab and start working. Templates turn your API requests into reusable forms. The key vault means you store your Stripe/OpenAI/Twilio keys once and they auto-fill everywhere.

Strengths

• Zero setup — loads in 2 seconds in any browser
• Template builder is unique and genuinely useful
• $19/mo flat for unlimited team members
• API keys encrypted with AES-256-GCM at rest
• Minimal learning curve (~30 seconds)

Weaknesses

• No scripting or test automation
• No GraphQL-specific tooling
• Newer tool with a smaller community

2. Bruno

Bruno stores your API collections as plain files on your filesystem — no cloud sync, no proprietary format. You can version-control your collections with Git alongside your code.

Strengths

• Collections stored as files (Git-friendly)
• No cloud lock-in — your data stays local
• One-time purchase (no subscription)
• Scripting support for request chaining

Weaknesses

• Desktop app required (Electron-based)
• Smaller plugin ecosystem
• UI is functional but not polished

3. Hoppscotch

Hoppscotch is the closest thing to "Postman in the browser." It has collections, environments, scripting, WebSocket support, GraphQL, and real-time collaboration. If you want Postman's feature set without the desktop app, Hoppscotch is the answer.

Strengths

• Most feature-complete alternative
• Browser-based — no download
• Self-hostable (Enterprise plan)
• WebSocket, SSE, and GraphQL support

Weaknesses

• Per-seat pricing on team plan ($9/user/mo)
• More complex UI — steeper learning curve
• Cloud-synced by default

4. Thunder Client

Thunder Client is a VS Code extension that gives you a lightweight API client right in your editor's sidebar. If you already have VS Code open all day, it's the fastest way to test an endpoint without context-switching.

Strengths

• Zero context-switching if you use VS Code
• Lightweight — doesn't slow down VS Code
• Supports environment variables and collections
• Clean, minimal UI

Weaknesses

• Locked to VS Code (not for JetBrains, Vim, etc.)
• Limited scripting compared to Postman
• Not open source

5. HTTPie

HTTPie is "curl for humans." The CLI version uses intuitive syntax (http POST api.example.com name=John) and produces colorized, readable output. The desktop app adds a visual interface with request history.

Strengths

• Best CLI experience for API testing
• Intuitive syntax — much cleaner than curl
• Beautiful colorized output
• Available everywhere (Python package)

Weaknesses

• CLI-first — not ideal for visual learners
• Desktop app is a separate paid product
• No template/reuse system in the CLI