Best API Documentation Tools in 2026
Updated
In short: Palt is ranked #1 of 28 as of 3 October 2026, ahead of PilotDocs and Scalar. The best-ranked option with a free plan is PilotDocs. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Redocly at $10/mo.
Good API reference material can help developers understand endpoints and put them to use. Compare Scalar, Redocly, and Fern on interactive API reference, code samples, and OpenAPI import. API versioning is useful to assess as an interface changes, while custom domain and hosting model help you consider how documentation will be published. Free plans and paid-from prices provide additional comparison points. The ranking begins with Scalar, Redocly, and Fern, followed by ApiNotes, ReadMe, Theneo, Apiary, and PilotDocs. Consider which authoring, reference, and hosting features match the API you need to document.
28 API documentation tools ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 Palt No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4$19/mo OpenAPI import: YesInteractive API reference: YesCode samples: Yes
- 2 PilotDocs No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4$49/mo OpenAPI import: YesInteractive API reference: YesCode samples: Yes
- 3 Scalar No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4$150/mo OpenAPI import: YesInteractive API reference: YesCode samples: Yes
- 4 Apiary No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free OpenAPI import: YesInteractive API reference: YesCode samples: Yes
- 5 ApiNotes No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3$19/mo OpenAPI import: YesInteractive API reference: YesCode samples: Yes
- 6 Stoplight Elements No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free OpenAPI import: YesInteractive API reference: YesCode samples: Yes
- 7 Zudoku No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free OpenAPI import: YesInteractive API reference: YesCode samples: Yes
- 8 Doxygen No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2Free Code samples: Yes
- 9 ReadMe No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2$250/mo
- 10 Fern No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.1Free
- 11 Bump.sh No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.8$50/mo OpenAPI import: YesInteractive API reference: YesCode samples: Yes
- 12 Redocly No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.8$10/mo
- 13 Javadoc No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.4Free OpenAPI import: NoInteractive API reference: NoCode samples: Yes
- 14 Theneo No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.4 OpenAPI import: YesInteractive API reference: YesCode samples: Yes
- 15 Endrel No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 OpenAPI import: YesInteractive API reference: Yes
- 16 Miredot No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3
- 17 phpDocumentor No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 OpenAPI import: NoInteractive API reference: NoCode samples: No
- 18 RapiDoc No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3Free OpenAPI import: YesInteractive API reference: YesCode samples: Yes
- 19 Swagger Codegen No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 OpenAPI import: YesInteractive API reference: YesCode samples: Yes
- 20 DapperDox No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 OpenAPI import: YesInteractive API reference: YesCode samples: Yes
- 21 JSDoc No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Code samples: Yes
- 22 Swagger2Markup No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 OpenAPI import: YesInteractive API reference: NoCode samples: Yes
- 23 TypeDoc No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2
- 24 Widdershins No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 OpenAPI import: YesInteractive API reference: NoCode samples: Yes
- 25 Mihari No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1€19/mo
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which API documentation tool is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
Palt is ranked #1 of 28 with a score of 6.4. PilotDocs is second and Scalar third.
How many of these have a free plan?
13 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Redocly has the lowest first paid tier we found: $10/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.