Open-source alternatives to Postman
Looking to replace Postman with something free and open-source? These 2 tools are the best open alternatives in 2026 — most are self-hostable, so you keep full control of your data and pay no subscription.
At a glance: how they compare
Click a column to sort — the best one depends on what matters to you.
| Alternative | Stars | Language | License | Last commit | In one line |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoppscotch | — | — | MIT | — | Lightweight, fast API testing in the browser or self-hosted. |
| Bruno | — | — | MIT | — | Git-friendly API client that stores collections as files. |
Which one should you pick?
Hoppscotch
Lightweight, fast API testing in the browser or self-hosted. Its MIT license is permissive — free to use commercially, embed and modify. Because it is self-hostable, your data can stay entirely on your own infrastructure.
Bruno
Git-friendly API client that stores collections as files. Its MIT license is permissive — free to use commercially, embed and modify. Because it is self-hostable, your data can stay entirely on your own infrastructure.
Switching from Postman without the drama
- Export your data from Postman first — most tools above can import standard formats.
- Run your top pick in parallel for a week or two before committing; self-hosted options can be tried locally in minutes.
- Migrate one team or one project at a time, keeping the old account read-only until everything checks out.
FAQ
What is the best open-source alternative to Postman?
The top open-source alternative is Hoppscotch — Lightweight, fast API testing in the browser or self-hosted. The full ranked list is above.
Are these Postman alternatives free?
Yes. Every tool listed is open-source and free to use; most can be self-hosted so you keep full control of your data.
Can I self-host an alternative to Postman?
Most of these tools are designed to run on your own server or machine, giving you privacy and no subscription fees.
More open-source alternatives
Browse open-source replacements for dozens of popular tools — design, productivity, dev, analytics and more.
See all alternatives →