Yaak
What it is
Yaak is a desktop API client for sending requests, debugging APIs, and keeping API work on a local machine. It supports HTTP/REST, GraphQL, gRPC, WebSocket, and server-sent events, and is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Requests can be organized into workspaces and folders, with environments, authentication, and variables available for reuse. Directory sync saves requests, folders, and environments as individual YAML files that fit Git workflows. Yaak can bring in existing work from Postman, Insomnia, Bruno, OpenAPI, and curl. Plugins extend it with authentication, importers, and template functions; a 1Password plugin retrieves passwords. The app sends requests directly to chosen servers and has no built-in analytics or tracking. Optional workspace secret encryption uses XChaCha20-Poly1305, with its master key protected by the operating system keychain. Yaak has no built-in AI, though its CLI and MCP server plugin can let external agents work with existing requests. Free personal use is available; commercial use requires a license. A 30-day trial is offered, and paid plans start at $79/user/yr.
For and against
For
- Supports five API protocols, including GraphQL and gRPC.
- Directory sync saves work as individual YAML files.
- Imports work from Postman, Insomnia, Bruno, OpenAPI, and curl.
- Optional workspace secret encryption uses XChaCha20-Poly1305.
- Available on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Against
- Free plan is for personal use only.
- Individual licenses cannot be transferred.
- No scheduled runs or mock server.
- No built-in AI.
The verdict
Yaak combines broad protocol support with local storage and a Git-based way to organize API work. Check the license terms if you need commercial use or transferable seats.
Who it suits
Yaak suits API developers who need to send and debug requests, and teams that organize shared API work through Git. Its local storage may also suit people who want control over private or local API data.
Plans and prices
Individual Annual
One person · commercial use · lifetime fallback license · email support
Read 7 Oct 2026 · yaak.app
Business Annual
Commercial use · Lifetime fallback license · Priority email support · SSO and user provisioning
Read 21 Sep 2026 · yaak.app
Free personal use
Personal use · commercial use requires a license
Read 7 Oct 2026 · yaak.app
Business
Per user · commercial use · lifetime fallback license · priority email support
Read 7 Oct 2026 · yaak.app
Individual Lifetime
One person · commercial use · lifetime updates · email support
Read 7 Oct 2026 · yaak.app
On the record
- AI agents
- Yaak has no built-in AI, but its CLI and MCP server plugin can let external agents work with existing requests.yaak.app · read 7 Oct 2026
- Audience
- Yaak is aimed at API developers, teams sharing requests through Git, and people who need control over private or local API data.yaak.app · read 7 Oct 2026
- Compliance
- Yaak says it does not process protected health information on users’ behalf and does not sign HIPAA business associate agreements.yaak.app · read 7 Oct 2026
- Git collaboration
- Directory sync stores requests, folders, and environments as individual YAML files for use with Git workflows.yaak.app · read 7 Oct 2026
- GraphQL support
- Yesyaak.app · read 21 Sep 2026
- Imports
- Yaak can import existing work from Postman, Insomnia, Bruno, OpenAPI, and curl.yaak.app · read 7 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Yaak supports plugins for authentication, importers, and template functions, and has a 1Password plugin for retrieving passwords.yaak.app · read 7 Oct 2026
- Notable limit
- An Individual license is assigned to one person and cannot be transferred; a license can be used on up to three devices by that person.yaak.app · read 7 Oct 2026
- Organization
- Users can group requests into workspaces and folders, switch environments, and reuse authentication and variables.yaak.app · read 7 Oct 2026
- Product
- Yaak is a local-first desktop API client for sending requests, debugging APIs, and collaborating through Git.yaak.app · read 7 Oct 2026
- Protocols
- It supports HTTP/REST, GraphQL, gRPC, WebSocket, and server-sent events.yaak.app · read 7 Oct 2026
- Secret encryption
- Optional workspace secret encryption uses XChaCha20-Poly1305, with a master key protected by the operating system keychain.yaak.app · read 7 Oct 2026
- Security
- The desktop app stores data locally, sends API requests directly to chosen servers, and has no built-in analytics or tracking.yaak.app · read 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- Paid licenses include email support, while Business licenses include priority support and migration help.yaak.app · read 7 Oct 2026
- Team features
- Business licenses provide company-managed seats, seat reassignment, single sign-on, and user provisioning.yaak.app · read 7 Oct 2026
