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Bruno vs Paw

Bruno logo

Bruno

Software

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Paw logo

Paw

Software

Full-featured REST client for macOS with powerful scripting and testing

From
$99/one-time
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; Paw now distributed as RapidAPI for Mac; the vendor's own page states it is "exclusively built for macOS" and requires macOS 10.15+, with no Windows or Linux client
  • They diverge on capability: Bruno covers API Testing, Paw covers REST Client.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bruno and Paw actually diverge.

Attributes where Bruno and Paw differ
AttributeBrunoPaw
Starting priceFree$99/one-time
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxMacOS
Founded20222013

Identical on both: 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
  • Windows support
  • Linux support

Only in Paw

  • REST Client
  • Scripting
  • Dynamic Values
  • Slack
  • Custom extensions

Both cover

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

Paw

  • API Developmentnot Bruno
  • API Gatewaynot Bruno
  • API Testingnot Bruno
  • API Documentationnot Bruno
  • Microservicesnot 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

Paw

  • Now distributed as RapidAPI for Mac; the vendor's own page states it is "exclusively built for macOS" and requires macOS 10.15+, with no Windows or Linux client

Pricing, plan by plan

Bruno

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

Paw

$99/one-time
  • Standard$99/one-time
    • Full REST client
    • Advanced scripting
    • Extensions
  • Annual License$49/yearly
    • All features
    • Updates
    • 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 Paw if

  • You need rest client.
  • You work on MacOS.
  • You also want scripting.
Paw review

Questions people ask

Is Bruno or Paw better?
Neither clearly leads. Bruno starts at Free and Paw at $99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bruno or Paw?
Bruno has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Bruno and $99/one-time for Paw.
Does Bruno or Paw run on more platforms?
Bruno runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. Paw runs on MacOS.
Can I use Bruno for free?
Yes. Bruno has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Paw starts at $99/one-time.
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 Paw is typically brought in for.
What can Bruno do that Paw cannot?
Bruno covers API Testing, Environment management, Git-friendly storage, Git repositories. Paw covers REST Client, Scripting, Dynamic Values, Slack. Both handle GitHub, MacOS support.
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