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API Management · head to head

Bruno vs Kong

Bruno logo

Bruno

API Management

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Kong logo

Kong

API Management

Cloud-native API gateway and service connectivity platform

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; Kong the Plus plan includes 1M API requests a month and charges $200 a month for each additional million
  • They diverge on capability: Bruno covers API Testing, Kong covers API Gateway.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bruno and Kong actually diverge.

Attributes where Bruno and Kong differ
AttributeBrunoKong
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxLinux, Docker, Kubernetes
Founded20222010

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (open-source), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (API Management).

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
  • GitHub
  • Git repositories
  • Local file system
  • Windows support
  • MacOS support

Only in Kong

  • API Gateway
  • Authentication & Authorization
  • Rate Limiting
  • Kubernetes
  • Consul
  • Eureka
  • PostgreSQL
  • Docker support

Both cover

  • 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 Kong
  • Keeping API collections in Git rather than a vendor cloudnot Kong
  • Offline API development without an accountnot Kong
  • Importing and syncing OpenAPI specificationsnot Kong

Kong

  • Running an API gateway in front of internal and public servicesnot Bruno
  • Publishing and governing APIs through a developer portalnot 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

Kong

  • The Plus plan includes 1M API requests a month and charges $200 a month for each additional million
  • Plus is capped at 10M requests a month, so growth past that forces an Enterprise contract
  • Plus limits published APIs to 20 and includes one Developer Portal, with a second at $200 a month
  • SSO and audit logging are Enterprise only
  • Enterprise pricing is custom and billed annually

Pricing, plan by plan

Bruno

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

Kong

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Core API gateway
    • Community support
  • Enterprise$undefined/monthly
    • Advanced features
    • Priority support
    • SLA

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 Kong if

  • You need api gateway.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes.
  • You also want authentication & authorization.
Kong review

Questions people ask

Is Bruno or Kong better?
Neither clearly leads. Bruno starts at Free and Kong at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bruno or Kong?
Bruno starts at Free and Kong at Free.
Does Bruno or Kong run on more platforms?
Bruno runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. Kong runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes.
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 Kong is typically brought in for.
What can Bruno do that Kong cannot?
Bruno covers API Testing, Environment management, Git-friendly storage, GitHub. Kong covers API Gateway, Authentication & Authorization, Rate Limiting, Kubernetes. Both handle Linux support.
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