Softwr

API Management · head to head

Akana vs Insomnia

Akana logo

Akana

API Management

Enterprise API lifecycle management platform

From
$2500/monthly
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Insomnia logo

Insomnia

Testing & QA

REST and GraphQL API client for development and testing

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Insomnia has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Akana owned by Perforce and sold within their portfolio rather than independently, and akana.com redirects to perforce.com; Insomnia git Sync on the free tier covers up to 3 users only
  • They diverge on capability: Akana covers API Lifecycle Management, Insomnia covers REST API Client.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Akana and Insomnia actually diverge.

Attributes where Akana and Insomnia differ
AttributeAkanaInsomnia
Starting price$2500/monthlyFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsCloud, On-premise, HybridWindows, MacOS, Linux, Web
CategoryAPI ManagementTesting & QA
Founded20012010

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Akana

  • API Lifecycle Management
  • API Security
  • Governance Controls
  • OAuth
  • SAML
  • LDAP
  • Active Directory
  • Cloud support

Only in Insomnia

  • REST API Client
  • GraphQL Support
  • gRPC Support
  • GitHub
  • GitLab
  • Slack
  • Windows support
  • MacOS support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Akana

  • API lifecycle management across REST, SOAP and GraphQLnot Insomnia
  • Applying OAuth, JWT and SAML policies at the gatewaynot Insomnia
  • Running the same platform on-premises, in Kubernetes or across cloudsnot Insomnia
  • Developer portal and API monetisationnot Insomnia
  • Monitoring API traffic and enforcing quotasnot Insomnia

Insomnia

  • Sending and debugging HTTP, GraphQL and gRPC requestsnot Akana
  • Storing collections in Git rather than a vendor cloudnot Akana
  • Mocking an API endpoint before it existsnot Akana
  • Running collections in CI with the Inso CLInot Akana
  • Environment management across staging and productionnot Akana

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Akana

  • Owned by Perforce and sold within their portfolio rather than independently, and akana.com redirects to perforce.com
  • Pricing is not published; only a 30 day trial is offered

Insomnia

  • Git Sync on the free tier covers up to 3 users only
  • Mock servers are capped at 1,000 requests a month on free, then $10 per 25,000
  • Role-based access control requires Pro at $12 per user per month
  • SSO, SCIM and vault integrations are Enterprise only at $45 per user per month
  • Working without an account is limited to the local-only Scratch Pad

Pricing, plan by plan

Akana

$2500/monthly
  • Professional$2500/monthly
    • API Gateway
    • Developer Portal
    • Basic analytics
  • Enterprise$5000/monthly
    • Advanced governance
    • Multi-cloud support
    • Premium support
  • Custom$undefined/monthly
    • Custom solutions
    • Dedicated support
    • SLA guarantee

Insomnia

Free
  • FreeFree
    • REST, GraphQL, gRPC support
    • Local data
  • Pro$5/monthly
    • Cloud sync
    • Team collaboration
    • Advanced features
  • Team$30/monthly
    • Team management
    • Advanced analytics
    • Priority support

Which should you pick?

Choose Akana if

  • You need api lifecycle management.
  • You work on Cloud, On-premise, Hybrid.
  • You also want api security.
Akana review

Choose Insomnia if

  • You need rest api client.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux, Web.
  • You also want graphql support.
Insomnia review

Questions people ask

Is Akana or Insomnia better?
Neither clearly leads. Akana starts at $2500/monthly and Insomnia at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Akana or Insomnia?
Insomnia has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $2500/monthly for Akana and Free for Insomnia.
Does Akana or Insomnia run on more platforms?
Akana runs on Cloud, On-premise, Hybrid. Insomnia runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux, Web.
Can I use Insomnia for free?
Yes. Insomnia has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Akana starts at $2500/monthly.
What is Akana best used for?
Akana is most often used for api lifecycle management across rest, soap and graphql, applying oauth, jwt and saml policies at the gateway, running the same platform on-premises, in kubernetes or across clouds, developer portal and api monetisation. Of those, api lifecycle management across rest, soap and graphql and applying oauth, jwt and saml policies at the gateway are not what Insomnia is typically brought in for.
What can Akana do that Insomnia cannot?
Akana covers API Lifecycle Management, API Security, Governance Controls, OAuth. Insomnia covers REST API Client, GraphQL Support, gRPC Support, GitHub.
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