Insomnia

Insomnia is an API collaboration platform for designing, testing, debugging, mocking and governing APIs. Its client supports HTTP, REST, gRPC, GraphQL, WebSockets, SOAP and SSE. OpenAPI spec-first design includes live previews and generation of collections, tests and mocks; mocks can be created from collections, specifications, responses or natural-language descriptions, locally or in the cloud. The collection runner supports unlimited runs, JavaScript scripting before and after responses, chained requests and CI/CD execution through Inso CLI. Insomnia also connects to HTTP and STDIO MCP servers, with custom tool parameters and authentication event logs. API data can remain local, reside in a Git repository or be stored in Insomnia Cloud with optional end-to-end encryption. Teams can share projects, collections, mocks and specifications with organization controls and real-time collaboration indicators. Essentials is free; Pro costs $12 per user per month, and Enterprise costs $45 per user per month. It supports Linux, macOS, Windows and self-hosted use.

Insomnia combines API design and testing tools with mocking, team collaboration and CI/CD support. The free plan is available, while organization and enterprise features sit in paid tiers.

Insomnia suits developers and teams that design, test or govern APIs and want collaboration or CI/CD workflows. Its local, Git and cloud storage options also give teams different ways to manage API data.

Insomnia is a broad API workbench for developers and teams that design, exercise, and govern services across several protocols. It is best suited to organizations that want design artifacts, mocks, automated tests, and collaboration in one workflow; a basic request client will find its scope excessive.

Overview

Insomnia covers HTTP and REST alongside gRPC, GraphQL, WebSockets, SOAP, and SSE. Its OpenAPI-first approach provides live previews and can turn specifications into collections, tests, and mocks, keeping early design work connected to executable checks. The MCP client adds connections to HTTP and STDIO MCP servers, custom-parameter tool calls, and authentication event logs.

API data can remain on a machine, be kept in any Git repository, or be placed in Insomnia Cloud with optional end-to-end encryption. That range is useful when a team must balance local control, repository workflows, and shared cloud projects. Organizations can share projects, collections, mocks, and specifications, with role-based access control and indicators showing who is collaborating in real time.

Key features

Design, mocking, and testing

Mock services can be produced from collections, OpenAPI documents, API responses, or natural-language descriptions, either locally or in the cloud. This gives designers and testers a practical substitute for unfinished backends, although the free plan's request allowance can become restrictive for busy teams.

The collection runner allows unlimited runs, chained requests, and JavaScript both before a request and after a response. Inso CLI carries those checks into CI/CD, including pipelines built with GitHub, GitLab, Jenkins, Vercel, and other systems. The result is a stronger path from exploratory request work to repeatable quality gates than a client that stops at manual calls.

Collaboration, identity, and integrations

Pro adds organization-wide sharing, Git Sync for every user, unlimited organizations, and RBAC. Enterprise extends that with SAML or OIDC single sign-on, SCIM provisioning, invite and storage controls, and integrations with AWS, GCP, HashiCorp, and Azure vaults. Native Kong Konnect support keeps an API catalog synchronized as a source for endpoint discovery, design, testing, and debugging. SOC 2 access, worldwide support, professional services, enterprise agreements, and SLAs make the top tier relevant to governed deployments rather than casual use.

Pricing

Essentials — free, billed monthly, supports three users for Git Sync projects and 1,000 mock server requests per month. It is a sensible starting point for an individual or a small project, but the mock quota and three-user Git Sync limit constrain shared development.

Pro — $12 a month, billed per user / month, provides unlimited users, Git Sync for all users, unlimited organizations, RBAC, and 10,000 mock server requests per month. It fits teams that need routine collaboration and permissions; the per-user charge and finite mock quota remain material as usage or headcount grows.

Enterprise — $45 a month, billed per user* / month*, is self-serve up to 50 users. It includes unlimited mock requests, Kong Konnect, SAML/OIDC SSO, SCIM, storage and invite controls, enterprise support, SOC 2 access, cloud-vault integrations, and custom payment options. Larger or heavily regulated organizations should confirm commercial terms before committing. A 14-day trial provides a short evaluation window.

Platforms

Official support covers Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted deployments. Desktop downloads include macOS and Windows packages, NSIS, and other operating-system options, with Linux supplied through the other-downloads route.

Who it's for

Choose Insomnia for API teams that move from OpenAPI design to mocks, scripted collections, and CI/CD checks, especially when GraphQL, gRPC, SOAP, or MCP work appears alongside REST. It also suits organizations needing Git-based or local storage, shared projects, enterprise identity, or vault integrations. Developers who only send occasional requests, or who do not need collaboration and governance, can avoid paying for capabilities they will not use.

Pros and cons

• Pro: One workflow spans spec-first design, generated mocks, chained scripted tests, and CI/CD execution.
• Pro: Broad protocol coverage includes GraphQL, gRPC, WebSockets, SOAP, SSE, and MCP connections.
• Pro: Local, Git, and encrypted-cloud storage options accommodate different control requirements.
• Pro: Enterprise identity, provisioning, vaults, Kong Konnect, support, and SLAs address governed environments.
• Con: Essentials limits Git Sync projects to three users and mocks to 1,000 requests monthly.
• Con: Pro's 10,000-request mock allowance and per-user billing can raise costs for large or high-volume teams.
• Con: Its extensive collaboration and governance surface is unnecessary for simple request-and-response work.

Alternatives

Browse API Testing Tools or API clients for a wider field. Pick Parasoft SOAtest when tailored business pricing and broad platform coverage are preferable. Apidog is a freemium alternative with a time-unlimited four-user free plan. Choose Bruno for open-source tooling and a lower-cost Pro tier. Karate suits users wanting a free MIT-licensed framework that also covers browser and desktop UI automation. Kreya is a free option for individuals, with request history limited to the latest request. Pact provides free open-source tooling. PactumJS is a free, MIT-licensed REST API testing tool. Postman is another freemium API client with specs, mock servers, native Git, and collection running.

Verdict

Insomnia is a strong choice for developers and organizations that want API design, multi-protocol testing, mocks, collaboration, and pipeline automation together. Its main reason to choose it is the connected workflow from OpenAPI concepts to governed, CI/CD-ready execution. Look elsewhere if you need only lightweight manual requests or if mock-volume and per-user pricing make the paid tiers disproportionate to your team.