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APIs · head to head

Bruno vs Ory Kratos

Bruno logo

Bruno

APIs

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Ory Kratos logo

Ory Kratos

Cybersecurity

Headless identity and user management API

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; Ory Kratos headless means you build every screen, which is significant work compared with a hosted login page
  • They diverge on capability: Bruno covers API Testing, Ory Kratos covers Headless API.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bruno and Ory Kratos actually diverge.

Attributes where Bruno and Ory Kratos differ
AttributeBrunoOry Kratos
Pricing modelfreemiumOpen-source self-hosted, with a paid managed network
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxLinux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted
CategoryAPIsCybersecurity
Founded2022Unknown

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 Bruno

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

Only in Ory Kratos

  • Headless API
  • Self-service flows
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • Pluggable identity schemas

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

Ory Kratos

  • Products needing complete control over the look and flow of authenticationnot Bruno
  • Applications that must not hand user identity data to a third partynot Bruno
  • Teams building identity as infrastructure across several servicesnot 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

Ory Kratos

  • Headless means you build every screen, which is significant work compared with a hosted login page
  • More moving parts than a monolithic IAM: Kratos handles identity, and OAuth2 needs Ory Hydra alongside
  • Documentation assumes real familiarity with identity concepts and is not a gentle introduction
  • Self-hosting identity carries the security and availability burden that hosted providers absorb

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

Ory Kratos

Free
  • Self-hostedFree
    • Full identity server
    • All flows
    • Community 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 Ory Kratos if

  • You need headless api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
  • You also want self-service flows.
Ory Kratos review

Questions people ask

Is Bruno or Ory Kratos better?
Neither clearly leads. Bruno starts at Free and Ory Kratos at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bruno or Ory Kratos?
Bruno starts at Free and Ory Kratos at Free.
Does Bruno or Ory Kratos run on more platforms?
Bruno runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. Ory Kratos runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
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 Ory Kratos is typically brought in for.
What can Bruno do that Ory Kratos cannot?
Bruno covers API Testing, Environment management, Git-friendly storage, GitHub. Ory Kratos covers Headless API, Self-service flows, Multi-factor authentication, Pluggable identity schemas.

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
Ory Kratos: Is Ory Kratos free?

Yes, open source and free to self-host. Ory Network is a paid managed service.

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
Ory Kratos: What does headless mean here?

Kratos provides identity flows as APIs and no user interface. You build the login, registration and recovery screens yourself.

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
Ory Kratos: Does Kratos do OAuth2?

No. Kratos handles user identity; OAuth2 and OpenID Connect provider functionality is Ory Hydra, a separate component.

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