The 6 Best Bruno Alternatives in 2026 (API Clients)
Dušan Jovović
Founder of Tolodora. I hunt for smaller, lesser-known tools that punch above their weight — and I only recommend the ones I'd actually use.
Bruno won fans with its offline, git-friendly, open-source approach to API clients, but depending on whether you want a browser tool, in-editor testing, or the terminal, another fits better. Here are six Bruno alternatives I'd consider in 2026.
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Hoppscotch
- Pricing
- 9.7/10
- Functionality
- 8.6/10
- Ease of use
- 9.0/10
- Support
- 7.8/10
What I like
Fast, beautiful and open source, in the browser or self-hosted — a joy to use and free.
Best for
A fast, free, open-source web client.
Hoppscotch is a lightweight, open-source API client that runs in the browser or self-hosted. A snappy, free alternative to heavier tools.
Insomnia
- Pricing
- 8.4/10
- Functionality
- 9.0/10
- Ease of use
- 8.8/10
- Support
- 8.2/10
What I like
A clean, capable client with strong REST, GraphQL and gRPC support — Postman's lighter cousin.
Best for
A polished Postman-like client.
Insomnia is a streamlined API client with solid REST, GraphQL and gRPC support. A great middle ground between power and weight.
Yaak
- Pricing
- 9.2/10
- Functionality
- 8.6/10
- Ease of use
- 9.0/10
- Support
- 7.8/10
What I like
A fresh, fast, modern desktop client that's offline-friendly and genuinely pleasant — a rising gem.
Best for
A modern offline desktop client.
Yaak is a newer desktop API client focused on a clean, modern, offline-friendly experience. One of the most promising lesser-known options.
HTTPie
- Pricing
- 9.4/10
- Functionality
- 8.2/10
- Ease of use
- 8.4/10
- Support
- 7.8/10
What I like
Gorgeous, human-friendly requests from the terminal — plus a desktop app — fast and scriptable.
Best for
Terminal-first developers.
HTTPie offers a beautifully simple command-line HTTP client (and a desktop app). The pick when you want API testing in the terminal.
Thunder Client
- Pricing
- 8.8/10
- Functionality
- 8.4/10
- Ease of use
- 9.2/10
- Support
- 8.0/10
What I like
Lives right inside VS Code, so I can test APIs without ever leaving my editor.
Best for
Developers who live in VS Code.
Thunder Client is a lightweight API client built as a VS Code extension. Perfect if you want to test endpoints without switching apps.
Postman
- Pricing
- 7.2/10
- Functionality
- 9.4/10
- Ease of use
- 8.0/10
- Support
- 8.4/10
What I like
The established standard with the deepest feature set — mock servers, monitors, docs and collaboration.
Best for
Teams wanting the full platform.
Postman is the mature, feature-complete API platform with rich collaboration and lifecycle tools. Heavier, but the most complete option.
Want a fast browser/self-hosted client? Hoppscotch. A polished Postman-like feel? Insomnia. A modern offline desktop app? Yaak. The terminal? HTTPie. To stay in VS Code? Thunder Client. The established default? Postman. Pick by your workflow.
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