Happy Valley

Hoppscotch vs Stoplight

Hoppscotch and Stoplight are both API & developer docs tools. Hoppscotch is aimed at developers and small businesses, while Stoplight is aimed at developers and enterprise. Hoppscotch costs less, from $8/mo versus $56/mo for Stoplight. Both have a free plan.

Hoppscotch

Open-source API client for REST, GraphQL and realtime testing

Stoplight

API design, docs and governance

PricingOpen source · $8Freemium · $56
Starting price$8/mo$56/mo
Free planYesYes
Free trial—14 days
Built forDevelopers, Small businesses, EnterpriseDevelopers, Enterprise
Platformsweb, macos, windows, linuxweb
Country— · 2019US · 2015
Rating——

Choose Hoppscotch if

Developers and teams who want a fast open-source API client, with optional self-hosting and low per-user pricing.

  • Fast, lightweight interface that opens instantly in the browser
  • Generous free plan and fully free self-hosting
  • Supports realtime protocols that many clients skip

Look elsewhere if: Large organizations that need a full API lifecycle platform with extensive integrations (Postman, Apidog).

Choose Stoplight if

API-first organizations.

  • Design-first workflow
  • Spectral linting
  • Mocking

Look elsewhere if: Small projects.

Hoppscotch vs Stoplight pricing

Hoppscotch

  • Free$0Cloud or self-hosted Community edition, free forever
  • Business$8/user/mo$6/user/mo billed annually; team workspaces, mocking, docs
  • Enterprise Cloud$11/user/moBilled annually; SSO, SCIM, RBAC, audit logs, AI agent features
  • Enterprise Self-Host$19/user/mo$190/user/year billed annually; on-premises with admin controls

Stoplight

  • Free$01 user, 1 project
  • Basic$56/mo$44/mo billed annually; 3 users, unlimited projects
  • Startup$147/mo$113/mo billed annually; 8 users
  • Pro Team$453/mo$362/mo billed annually; 15 users, up to 20 teams
  • EnterpriseCustom

Hoppscotch · Key features

  • REST, GraphQL, WebSocket, SSE, Socket.IO and MQTT clients
  • Nested collections with environments and variables
  • Pre-request scripts, tests and a collection runner
  • CLI for running collections in CI pipelines
  • Desktop apps for macOS, Windows and Linux plus a web app
  • Team workspaces with real-time collaboration on Business

Cons

  • Smaller integration and plugin ecosystem than Postman
  • Mocking and published docs require a paid plan
  • Enterprise governance features arrived only recently

Stoplight · Key features

  • Visual API design
  • Mock servers
  • Style guides (Spectral)
  • Hosted docs
  • Git sync
  • Governance

Cons

  • Pricey tiers
  • SmartBear integration changes
  • UI heavier

Hoppscotch vs Stoplight: FAQ

Which is cheaper, Hoppscotch or Stoplight?

Hoppscotch starts at $8/mo and Stoplight at $56/mo. Both prices are checked on the vendors' own pricing pages.

Do Hoppscotch and Stoplight have a free plan?

Yes, both Hoppscotch and Stoplight have a free plan; paid plans add more usage and features.

Which is better for small businesses, Hoppscotch or Stoplight?

Hoppscotch lists small businesses as a core audience, while Stoplight is aimed more at developers and enterprise.

Not sure yet?