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The 6 Best Bruno Alternatives in 2026 (API Clients)

Tolodora Editorial Team

Tolodora's editorial team — we research, compile and regularly update these software guides from public sources and product documentation.

Published Jun 27, 2026·Last updated Jun 27, 2026·1 min read

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.

Bruno logo

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#ToolBest forRating
1HoppscotchA fast, free, open-source web client.4.4/5
2InsomniaA polished Postman-like client.4.3/5
3YaakA modern offline desktop client.4.3/5
4HTTPieTerminal-first developers.4.2/5
5Thunder ClientDevelopers who live in VS Code.4.3/5
6PostmanTeams wanting the full platform.4.1/5
Hoppscotch logo

Hoppscotch

4.4/ 5 overall
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. For a your business setup, it's well worth a closer look.

Insomnia logo

Insomnia

4.3/ 5 overall
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. Among your business, it earns its spot for the reasons above.

Yaak logo

Yaak

4.3/ 5 overall
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.

If you run this kind of your busines operation, it belongs on your list. Yaak is a newer desktop API client focused on a clean, modern, offline-friendly experience. One of the most promising lesser-known options.

HTTPie logo

HTTPie

4.2/ 5 overall
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. It's a common pick among your business comparing their choices.

Thunder Client logo

Thunder Client

4.3/ 5 overall
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. Among your business, it earns its spot for the reasons above.

Postman logo

Postman

4.1/ 5 overall
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. For a your business setup, it's well worth a closer look.

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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