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APIs · head to head

Apidog vs Stoplight

Apidog logo

Apidog

APIs

All-in-one platform for API design, documentation, testing, and mocking

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Stoplight logo

Stoplight

APIs

API design, documentation, and governance platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Apidog free plan is capped at 4 users, limiting larger teams from using it at no cost.; Stoplight the free plan allows one project and one user
  • They diverge on capability: Apidog covers API design and documentation, Stoplight covers API Design.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apidog and Stoplight actually diverge.

Attributes where Apidog and Stoplight differ
AttributeApidogStoplight
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Platformsweb, windows, mac, linuxWeb, Cloud
FoundedUnknown2014

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (APIs).

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 Apidog

  • API design and documentation
  • Mock servers
  • Automated testing
  • Team collaboration
  • Scheduled imports
  • Branded documentation

Only in Stoplight

  • API Design
  • API Documentation
  • Governance
  • GitHub
  • GitLab
  • Jenkins
  • Azure DevOps
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Apidog

  • Designing and documenting APIs in a shared team workspacenot Stoplight
  • Mocking API responses for frontend development before backend is readynot Stoplight
  • Running automated API test suitesnot Stoplight
  • Replacing separate Postman, Swagger, and mock-server tools with one platformnot Stoplight

Stoplight

  • API design and documentationnot Apidog
  • API governance and standardsnot Apidog
  • Team collaboration on API developmentnot Apidog
  • API mocking and testingnot Apidog

Where each one falls short

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

Apidog

  • Free plan is capped at 4 users, limiting larger teams from using it at no cost.
  • Faster scheduled imports and unlimited projects require the Professional tier or higher.
  • Smaller community and plugin ecosystem compared to long-established tools like Postman.
  • Advanced enterprise security controls require the top-tier Enterprise plan.

Stoplight

  • The free plan allows one project and one user
  • Private projects, multi branch support and custom domains start at the Startup plan, $113 a month billed annually
  • SSO and shared style guides are Pro Team only, at $362 a month billed annually
  • Seats beyond each plan's allowance are $11 to $27 each per month depending on tier and billing period

Pricing, plan by plan

Apidog

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 4 users
    • Core design, mock, and testing features
  • Basic$9/month
    • Per-seat pricing billed annually
    • Expanded team collaboration
  • Professional$18/month
    • Unlimited projects
    • Team-level shared variables
    • Faster scheduled imports
  • Enterprise$27/month
    • Advanced admin and security controls
    • Priority support

Stoplight

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1 project
    • 1 user
    • Basic API design and documentation features
  • Basic$56/month
    • Annual: $44/user/year
    • 3 included users; $14 per additional user (monthly)
    • Unlimited projects
  • Startup$147/month
    • Annual: $113/user/year
    • 8 included users; $14 per additional user (monthly)
    • Private projects
  • Pro Team$453/month
    • Annual: $362/user/year
    • 15 included users; $27 per additional user (monthly)
    • Up to 20 teams

Which should you pick?

Choose Apidog if

  • You need api design and documentation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web, windows, mac, linux.
  • You also want mock servers.
Apidog review

Choose Stoplight if

  • You need api design.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Cloud.
  • You also want api documentation.
Stoplight review

Questions people ask

Is Apidog or Stoplight better?
Neither clearly leads. Apidog starts at Free and Stoplight at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apidog or Stoplight?
Apidog starts at Free and Stoplight at Free.
Does Apidog or Stoplight run on more platforms?
Apidog runs on web, windows, mac, linux. Stoplight runs on Web, Cloud.
Can I use Apidog for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Apidog best used for?
Apidog is most often used for designing and documenting apis in a shared team workspace, mocking api responses for frontend development before backend is ready, running automated api test suites, replacing separate postman, swagger, and mock-server tools with one platform. Of those, designing and documenting apis in a shared team workspace and mocking api responses for frontend development before backend is ready are not what Stoplight is typically brought in for.
What can Apidog do that Stoplight cannot?
Apidog covers API design and documentation, Mock servers, Automated testing, Team collaboration. Stoplight covers API Design, API Documentation, Governance, GitHub.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Apidog: What does Apidog cost?

Apidog offers a free plan for up to 4 users, with paid per-seat plans at roughly $9/month for Basic, $18/month for Professional, and $27/month for Enterprise when billed annually.

Source
Stoplight: How much does Stoplight cost?

Stoplight starts with a free plan (1 project, 1 user), then Basic at $56/month per user (or $44/year), Startup at $147/month per user (or $113/year), Pro Team at $453/month per user (or $362/year), and Enterprise at custom pricing.

Source
Apidog: Is there a free plan, and what are its limits?

The free plan supports up to 4 users with access to core design, documentation, mocking, and testing features.

Source
Stoplight: How many included users are in each Stoplight plan?

Basic includes 3 users, Startup includes 8 users, and Pro Team includes 15 users. Additional users beyond the included count cost $14/month for Basic and Startup, or $27/month for Pro Team.

Source
Apidog: Can I try paid plans before subscribing?

Paid plans include a 14-day free trial, giving teams full access to premium features before committing to a subscription.

Source
Stoplight: Does Stoplight offer a free trial?

Yes, all paid Stoplight plans include a 14-day free trial. The free plan has no trial period as it is always available.

Source
Stoplight: Does Stoplight's free plan have limitations?

Yes, the free plan includes only 1 project and 1 user. Users viewing public documentation anonymously are not counted toward the 1-user limit.

Source
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