Insomnia
Open-source API client for REST, GraphQL, gRPC and MCP from Kong
Insomnia is a aPI & developer docs tool for Developers and Small businesses, offered as open source ($12/mo). Founded in United States in 2015.
About Insomnia
Insomnia is an open-source desktop API client and design tool. Gregory Schier created it in 2015, and Kong, the San Francisco API gateway company, acquired it in 2019. The core is Apache 2.0 licensed on GitHub, where the repository has around 40,000 stars. Its core job is to let developers send, debug and test API requests, design OpenAPI specs and mock endpoints from one app.
It supports REST, GraphQL, gRPC, WebSocket, Server-Sent Events and Socket.IO, plus an MCP client for testing Model Context Protocol servers. Projects can live locally, in Git or in Kong's cloud with optional end-to-end encryption, and a Scratch Pad works without an account. Scripts, an unlimited collection runner, mock servers and the Inso CLI round it out. Essentials is free with Git Sync for up to 3 users, Pro adds unlimited users and RBAC, and Enterprise adds SSO, SCIM and storage policies.
Insomnia fits developers who want a lighter, local-first alternative to Postman and teams already using Kong Gateway or Konnect. Collaboration and documentation features are thinner than Postman's, and the 2023 decision to require accounts for syncing upset part of its community. Postman remains the broadest platform, Apidog bundles design, docs and testing in one workspace, and Stoplight is stronger for design-first API governance.
Insomnia 13 shipped in June 2026 with native Kong Konnect integration, which pulls routes, endpoints and configuration from Konnect into the app. Pro is $12 per user a month or $10 billed annually, and Enterprise comes with a 14-day free trial.
Key features of Insomnia
- Requests for REST, GraphQL, gRPC, WebSocket, SSE and Socket.IO
- MCP client for testing Model Context Protocol servers
- OpenAPI design editor with live preview and linting
- Local, Git or end-to-end encrypted cloud storage per project
- Collection runner with pre- and post-request scripts and tests
- Mock servers built from specs, responses or plain-language prompts
- Inso CLI to lint specs and run test suites in CI/CD
- Scratch Pad that works offline without an account
Pros and cons
Pros
- Open-source core under the Apache 2.0 license
- Local-first storage keeps sensitive requests off the cloud
- Clean, fast interface that is lighter than Postman
- Free tier includes unlimited collection runs
- Tight integration with Kong Gateway and Konnect
Cons
- Collaboration and API documentation features trail Postman
- Free Git Sync is limited to 3 users
- Past login and sync changes hurt community trust
- Plugin ecosystem is smaller than Postman's
- Enterprise tier at $45 per user is expensive
Insomnia pricing
Insomnia uses a open source model. A 14-day free trial is available.
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials | $0 | Local, Git and cloud projects; Git Sync for up to 3 users |
| Pro | $12 / user/mo | $10 billed annually; unlimited users, RBAC, 10K mock requests |
| Enterprise | $45 / user/mo | Self-serve up to 50 users; SSO, SCIM, storage policies |
Source: insomnia.rest · checked on Oct 20, 2026
How Insomnia compares in API & developer docs
- Rank by votes
- #2 / 16
- Starting price
- $12
- Free alternatives
- 4
0 votes from members
68% below the category median ($38/mo)
Free or open-source tools in API & developer docs
Insomnia ranks #2 of 16 api & developer docs tools by community votes and is priced below most tools in the category.
Common use cases
- 1Debugging REST and GraphQL endpoints during local development
- 2Testing gRPC services and WebSocket streams
- 3Validating an MCP server's tools before connecting AI agents
- 4Linting OpenAPI specs in a CI pipeline with Inso
- 5Mocking a backend so front-end work can start early
- 6Keeping API collections in Git next to the code
Best for
Developers who want a fast, local-first, open-source API client with Git-based collaboration.
Not ideal for
Teams that need a full API platform with published docs and broad workspace collaboration (Postman, Apidog, Stoplight).
Integrations
- GitHub
- GitLab
- Bitbucket
- Kong Konnect
- Kong Gateway
- OpenAPI
- GitHub Actions (Inso CLI)
- Postman import
Our take
Insomnia is the best Postman alternative for developers who value local storage and open source, and the free tier covers most individuals. Teams on Kong should look hard at Pro; teams that need published docs and broad collaboration are better served by Postman or Apidog.
FAQ
- What is Insomnia?
- Insomnia is a API & developer docs tool: Open-source API client for REST, GraphQL, gRPC and MCP from Kong.
- How much does Insomnia cost?
- Insomnia is Open source; there is no mandatory paid plan.
- Does Insomnia have a free trial?
- Yes, Insomnia offers a 14-day free trial.
- What does Insomnia integrate with?
- Insomnia integrates with GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Kong Konnect, Kong Gateway, OpenAPI and more.
- Which platforms does Insomnia support?
- Insomnia is available on macos, windows, linux.
- Who is Insomnia for?
- Developers who want a fast, local-first, open-source API client with Git-based collaboration.
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