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APIs · head to head

Bruno vs Lithic

Bruno logo

Bruno

APIs

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Lithic logo

Lithic

APIs

API-first card issuing platform with direct Visa, Mastercard and Amex network connections

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Bruno has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; Lithic pricing is entirely undisclosed, so a company cannot compare total cost against Marqeta, Galileo or Highnote without a sales conversation.
  • They diverge on capability: Bruno covers API Testing, Lithic covers Direct network connections.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bruno and Lithic actually diverge.

Attributes where Bruno and Lithic differ
AttributeBrunoLithic
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxWeb, API
Founded2022Unknown

Identical on both: 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 Bruno

  • API Testing
  • Environment management
  • Git-friendly storage
  • GitHub
  • Git repositories
  • Local file system
  • Windows support
  • MacOS support

Only in Lithic

  • Direct network connections
  • Processor Client mode
  • Lithic Program Management
  • Card lifecycle APIs
  • Sandbox environment
  • Real-time authorization controls

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

Lithic

  • A fintech wanting direct Visa or Mastercard network access rather than routing through a third-party processornot Bruno
  • A company that already holds its own issuing licence and wants API access without full programme managementnot Bruno
  • A neobank or expense platform wanting Lithic to manage bank and network relationships end to endnot Bruno
  • A product team prototyping a card programme in sandbox before committing to a launchnot 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

Lithic

  • Pricing is entirely undisclosed, so a company cannot compare total cost against Marqeta, Galileo or Highnote without a sales conversation.
  • Choosing Processor Client mode still leaves the company responsible for holding its own issuing licence and managing the regulatory relationship, which is a substantial undertaking many teams underestimate.
  • As with any card infrastructure provider, an outage or network issue at Lithic becomes a direct outage for every card programme built on it, and a customer has limited visibility into root cause during an incident.
  • Building a card programme on API infrastructure requires real engineering investment; it is not a plug-and-play product for a non-technical team.
  • Switching card infrastructure providers after launch is a major undertaking involving card reissuance and programme migration, so the initial choice carries lasting lock-in.

Pricing, plan by plan

Bruno

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Core API Client
    • Limited Git integration
    • 2 Workspaces
  • Pro$6/month
    • Core API Client
    • Native Git integration
    • Unlimited Workspaces
  • Ultimate$11/month
    • Core API Client
    • Full Git integration
    • Unlimited Workspaces

Lithic

On request
  • Lithic$undefined/year
    • Volume and interchange-based pricing, not published
    • Separate Processor Client and Program Management pricing tracks
    • Custom quote required via sales

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 Lithic if

  • You need direct network connections.
  • You work on Web, API.
  • You also want processor client mode.
Lithic review

Questions people ask

Is Bruno or Lithic better?
Neither clearly leads. Bruno starts at Free and Lithic at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bruno or Lithic?
Bruno has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Bruno and On request for Lithic.
Does Bruno or Lithic run on more platforms?
Bruno runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. Lithic runs on Web, API.
Can I use Bruno for free?
Yes. Bruno has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Lithic starts at On request.
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 Lithic is typically brought in for.
What can Bruno do that Lithic cannot?
Bruno covers API Testing, Environment management, Git-friendly storage, GitHub. Lithic covers Direct network connections, Processor Client mode, Lithic Program Management, Card lifecycle APIs.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Bruno: What is included in Bruno's free tier?

The Open Source plan includes the core API client, limited Git integration, and up to 2 workspaces at no cost. A 14-day free trial of the Ultimate plan is also available without requiring a credit card.

Source
Lithic: Does Lithic publish pricing?

No, pricing is volume-based and requires a sales conversation.

Bruno: What is the difference between Bruno Pro and Ultimate plans?

Pro ($6/month) includes native Git integration and unlimited workspaces. Ultimate ($11/month) adds SSO/SCIM support, audit logs, 24-hour support (vs. 48-hour), and an account manager. Ultimate supports unlimited OpenAPI syncs while Pro is limited to 5 per month.

Source
Lithic: What is the difference between Processor Client and Program Management?

Processor Client suits companies with their own issuing licence and bank relationships; Program Management is for companies wanting Lithic to coordinate those relationships on their behalf.

Bruno: How much does Bruno Pro save compared to other API tools?

The vendor claims Ultimate saves teams more than 70% versus Postman, though this comparison is promotional rather than a specific cost metric.

Source
Lithic: Which networks does it connect to?

Visa, Mastercard and American Express directly.

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