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Hoverfly
What it is
Hoverfly is an API simulation and mocking platform. Hoverfly Cloud runs as a hosted service so teams can test without depending on live API services. It supports HTTP/S systems, including REST, SOAP, XML, JSON, and GraphQL. Users can capture and replay traffic, create simulations from OpenAPI specifications, and match requests using methods, headers, parameters, and bodies. Simulations can delay responses, inject faults or errors, and change responses. A command-line interface supports scripted configuration and testing-process integration. Hoverfly and hoverctl binaries are available for macOS, Linux, and Windows, while documentation covers Docker and Kubernetes installation. The underlying Hoverfly framework is open source under the Apache 2 license, with a REST API, CLI, and Java and Python bindings, but it has no graphical interface. Cloud plans start at $10 a month for Developer, which includes two simulation instances and a 14-day trial without a credit card.
For and against
For
- Supports REST, SOAP, XML, JSON, and GraphQL
- Captures and replays API traffic
- Generates simulations from OpenAPI specifications
- Injects delays, faults, and errors
- Offers CLI and pipeline integration
Against
- No free plan
- Open-source framework has no GUI
- Database testing is not supported
The verdict
Hoverfly combines hosted API simulation with an open-source framework for local or self-managed use. Its protocol coverage, request matching, fault injection, and CLI integration suit teams that need controlled API behavior during testing.
Who it suits
Hoverfly suits development, functional testing, performance testing, contract testing, and service virtualization teams working with APIs. It fits organizations wanting hosted deployment or a self-managed open-source framework.
Plans and prices
Developer
2 API simulation instances · 20 requests per second per instance · 14 day free trial · no credit card required
Read 3 Oct 2026 · hoverfly.io
Professional
5 API simulation instances · simulates latency and random failures · 14 day free trial
Read 3 Oct 2026 · hoverfly.io
Enterprise
Fully customisable · unlimited API simulation instances · up to 2,000 requests per second per instance · load-balanced instance clusters
Read 3 Oct 2026 · hoverfly.io
On the record
- API access
- The open-source framework provides a REST API and CLI, with native language bindings for Java and Python.hoverfly.io · read 3 Oct 2026
- Dynamic behavior
- Hoverfly Cloud can delay responses, inject faults or errors, and modify responses while simulating requests.hoverfly.io · read 3 Oct 2026
- License
- The open-source Hoverfly framework is distributed under the Apache 2 license.hoverfly.io · read 3 Oct 2026
- Open source
- The underlying Hoverfly framework is open source, has no GUI, and is typically used locally or in a user's own network and infrastructure.hoverfly.io · read 3 Oct 2026
- Pipeline integration
- Hoverfly Cloud provides a CLI for scripted configuration and integration into testing processes.hoverfly.io · read 3 Oct 2026
- Protocols
- Hoverfly Cloud supports HTTP/S services including REST, SOAP, XML, JSON, and GraphQL.hoverfly.io · read 3 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Hoverfly Cloud is a hosted API simulation and mocking platform for testing without relying on live API dependencies.hoverfly.io · read 3 Oct 2026
- Scale
- The pricing page lists Enterprise capacity of up to 2,000 requests per second per instance and load-balanced instance clusters.hoverfly.io · read 3 Oct 2026
- Security and privacy
- The privacy policy says iOCO uses technical controls to protect personal details and does not share them with third parties for marketing; it does not state a named security certification.hoverfly.io · read 3 Oct 2026
- Simulation features
- Users can capture and replay API traffic, generate simulations from OpenAPI specifications, and match requests by methods, headers, parameters, and bodies.hoverfly.io · read 3 Oct 2026
- Support
- iOCO offers Hoverfly Cloud team support by email and support portal with a guaranteed response within one business day during 9am–6pm GMT.hoverfly.io · read 3 Oct 2026
- Supported systems
- Hoverfly and hoverctl binaries are available for macOS, Linux, and Windows, and the documentation describes Docker and Kubernetes installation.docs.hoverfly.io · read 3 Oct 2026
- Use cases
- The maker describes performance testing, functional testing, and development as primary use cases for Hoverfly Cloud.hoverfly.io · read 3 Oct 2026
