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Hoppscotch

Open Source

Open-source, web-based API client — a lightweight Postman alternative.

Visit websiteGitHub

Pricing

Free / Open source

Type

Manual & Automation

// VERDICT

Reach for Hoppscotch when you want a quick, free, browser-based client that's easy to self-host. Skip it when you need a heavyweight desktop platform or enterprise-scale collaboration and governance.

Best for

A fast, open-source, browser-based API client for REST, GraphQL and real-time protocols, with a lightweight self-hostable option.

Avoid when

You need a full desktop platform, deep enterprise collaboration, or extensive offline-first workflows.

CI/CD fit

Hopp CLI · GitHub Actions · GitLab CI · Self-hosted

Team fit

API teams · Developers wanting a browser client · Teams self-hosting tooling

Setup

Easy

Maintenance

Low

Learning

Beginner

Licence

Free / Open source

// BEST FOR

  • Testing REST, GraphQL and WebSocket/SSE endpoints from the browser
  • Teams wanting a free, open-source client with nothing to install
  • Self-hosting the client for control over data and access
  • Quick exploratory API checks during development
  • Running collections in CI via the Hopp CLI
  • Lightweight needs where a full desktop platform is overkill

// AVOID WHEN

  • You need a full-featured desktop application
  • Enterprise collaboration, roles and governance are central
  • Deep offline-first workflows matter
  • You depend on a large marketplace of integrations
  • Advanced scripting beyond the client's capabilities is required
  • You want vendor-backed enterprise support as a priority

// QUICK START

npm install -g @hoppscotch/cli
hopp test collection.json

// ALTERNATIVES TO CONSIDER

ToolChoose it when
BrunoYou want an offline-first client that stores collections as Git files.
InsomniaYou want a polished desktop client with REST and GraphQL support.
PostmanYou want the broadest collaboration and marketplace features.

// FEATURES

  • REST, GraphQL, WebSocket, MQTT, and SSE support
  • Browser-first — no desktop install required
  • Workspaces and team collaboration
  • Self-hostable via Docker
  • Hoppscotch CLI for CI integration
  • Environment variables and pre-request scripts

// PROS

  • Fast, lightweight, runs in any browser
  • Fully open-source and self-hostable
  • Active development and modern UI

// CONS

  • Smaller ecosystem than Postman
  • Some features still maturing
  • Team collaboration features less polished than incumbents

// EXAMPLE QA WORKFLOW

  1. Open Hoppscotch in the browser or self-host it

  2. Define environments per stage

  3. Build and explore REST, GraphQL or real-time requests

  4. Add assertions to key requests

  5. Run collections headless in CI via the Hopp CLI

  6. Keep credentials in CI secrets

// RELATED QA.CODES RESOURCES

Glossary