# Best free tools for HTTP API Testing
As a backend developer, we always need to do the API test. This article will introduce more than 10 tools to help us for HTTP API testing.
# SoapUI
SoapUI (opens new window) has lived for a long time, especially for Web Services(SOAP API).
ReadyAPI is the Pro version, it has more features but expensive.
# Postman
Postman (opens new window) is a awesome API test tool, it manages the API with Collections. It's also easy to manage environment, variables and response. We can also trigger the API in Collections level.
# Apache JMeter
jMeter (opens new window) is written by Java. It's also easy to manage the environment and variables. It's the best tool to do the performance test. It can run as UI or command line with generating the test report.
# httpie
httpie (opens new window) is a beautiful API test tool. We can use the web page tool or download the desktop client. What's more, command line tool is provided.
The client can render the html response:
AI feature:
# Swagger
Swagger (opens new window) is always integrated into the Java application to provide a swagger UI. People can get the information of the API and test.
# Hoppscotch
Hoppscotch (opens new window) is an open source API development ecosystem. It's lightweight and fast. You can deploy to any server you want.
# Apifox
Apifox is a Chinese tool support API docs, debugging, mock, and automation test. You can use the web-based or client. You need to pay for on-prem deployment.
# VSCode REST Client
REST Client (opens new window) is a VSCode plugin for HTTP request test. It's so friendly and easy to use.
BTW, the IDEA also provide similar feature for http request test.
# REST NG
REST NG (opens new window) is an automation test tool but need to sign up to use.
# Hurl
Hurl (opens new window) is a command-line tool:
If it's not allowed to install, you can use curl.
# In Summary
There are so many tools available for API testing, such as Insomnia (opens new window), ThunderClient (opens new window). But I think the key is design and implementation of the API.
References:
- https://geekflare.com/api-tools/
- https://www.guru99.com/top-6-api-testing-tool.html
- https://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/api-testing-tools/