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Bruno vs Insomnia

Bruno logo

Bruno

Software

Open-source IDE for API exploration with git-friendly collections

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Insomnia logo

Insomnia

Software

REST and GraphQL API client for development and testing

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Bruno native Git integration, the feature that distinguishes it from cloud API clients, is Pro only at $6 per user per month; Insomnia git Sync on the free tier covers up to 3 users only
  • They diverge on capability: Bruno covers API Testing, Insomnia covers REST API Client.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bruno and Insomnia actually diverge.

Attributes where Bruno and Insomnia differ
AttributeBrunoInsomnia
Pricing modelopen-sourcefreemium
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxWindows, MacOS, Linux, Web
Founded20222010

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

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 Bruno

  • API Testing
  • Environment management
  • Git-friendly storage
  • Git repositories
  • Local file system

Only in Insomnia

  • REST API Client
  • GraphQL Support
  • gRPC Support
  • GitLab
  • Slack
  • Web support

Both cover

  • GitHub
  • Windows support
  • MacOS support
  • Linux support

What people use each for

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

Bruno

  • Sending and testing HTTP requests from a local clientnot Insomnia
  • Keeping API collections in Git rather than a vendor cloudnot Insomnia
  • Offline API development without an accountnot Insomnia
  • Importing and syncing OpenAPI specificationsnot Insomnia

Insomnia

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

Where each one falls short

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

Bruno

  • Native Git integration, the feature that distinguishes it from cloud API clients, is Pro only at $6 per user per month
  • OpenAPI syncs are capped at 5 a month on the free tier
  • SSO, SCIM and user management require Ultimate at $11 per user per month
  • Private workspaces are a paid feature
  • Advertised prices are annual rates

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

Bruno

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full IDE features
    • Git integration
    • Local storage

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 Bruno if

  • You need api testing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want environment management.
Bruno 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 Bruno or Insomnia better?
Neither clearly leads. Bruno 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, Bruno or Insomnia?
Bruno starts at Free and Insomnia at Free.
Does Bruno or Insomnia run on more platforms?
Bruno runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. Insomnia runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux, Web.
Can I use Bruno for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Bruno best used for?
Bruno is most often used for sending and testing http requests from a local client, keeping api collections in git rather than a vendor cloud, offline api development without an account, importing and syncing openapi specifications. Of those, sending and testing http requests from a local client and keeping api collections in git rather than a vendor cloud are not what Insomnia is typically brought in for.
What can Bruno do that Insomnia cannot?
Bruno covers API Testing, Environment management, Git-friendly storage, Git repositories. Insomnia covers REST API Client, GraphQL Support, gRPC Support, GitLab. Both handle GitHub, Windows support, MacOS support, Linux support.
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