Softwr

API Management · head to head

Microsoft Azure API Management vs Insomnia

Microsoft Azure API Management logo

Microsoft Azure API Management

API Management

Hybrid, multi-cloud API management service on Azure

From
Free
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

  • Each has a real cost: Microsoft Azure API Management prices are not shown on the pricing page itself; every tier renders as a placeholder and routes to the calculator or sales; Insomnia git Sync on the free tier covers up to 3 users only
  • They diverge on capability: Microsoft Azure API Management covers API Gateway, Insomnia covers REST API Client.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Microsoft Azure API Management and Insomnia actually diverge.

Attributes where Microsoft Azure API Management and Insomnia differ
AttributeMicrosoft Azure API ManagementInsomnia
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
PlatformsCloud, Hybrid, Multi-cloudWindows, MacOS, Linux, Web
CategoryAPI ManagementTesting & QA
Founded19752010

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Microsoft Azure API Management

  • API Gateway
  • Developer Portal
  • API Policies
  • Azure services
  • AWS
  • Google Cloud
  • On-premises
  • 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.

Microsoft Azure API Management

  • API gateway and lifecycle management on Azurenot Insomnia
  • Throttling, keys and policies in front of backend servicesnot Insomnia
  • Developer portal for internal and partner APIsnot Insomnia
  • Hybrid deployments using self-hosted gatewaysnot Insomnia

Insomnia

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

Where each one falls short

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

Microsoft Azure API Management

  • Prices are not shown on the pricing page itself; every tier renders as a placeholder and routes to the calculator or sales
  • Two parallel generations of tiers, classic and v2, so the choice is which lineage before which size
  • The Developer tier is explicitly not for production
  • Self-hosted gateways and workspace gateways are charged separately from the service

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

Microsoft Azure API Management

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1M calls/month
    • Community support
  • Developer$50/monthly
    • 10M calls/month
    • Email support
  • Premium$500/monthly
    • Unlimited calls
    • Priority support
    • SLA

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 Microsoft Azure API Management if

  • You need api gateway.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Cloud, Hybrid, Multi-cloud.
  • You also want developer portal.
Microsoft Azure API Management 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 Microsoft Azure API Management or Insomnia better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Azure API Management starts at Free and Insomnia at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Azure API Management or Insomnia?
Microsoft Azure API Management starts at Free and Insomnia at Free.
Does Microsoft Azure API Management or Insomnia run on more platforms?
Microsoft Azure API Management runs on Cloud, Hybrid, Multi-cloud. Insomnia runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux, Web.
Can I use Microsoft Azure API Management for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Microsoft Azure API Management best used for?
Microsoft Azure API Management is most often used for api gateway and lifecycle management on azure, throttling, keys and policies in front of backend services, developer portal for internal and partner apis, hybrid deployments using self-hosted gateways. Of those, api gateway and lifecycle management on azure and throttling, keys and policies in front of backend services are not what Insomnia is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft Azure API Management do that Insomnia cannot?
Microsoft Azure API Management covers API Gateway, Developer Portal, API Policies, Azure services. Insomnia covers REST API Client, GraphQL Support, gRPC Support, GitHub.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Microsoft Azure API Management

More on Insomnia

Keep looking

Other head to heads