Softwr

API Management · head to head

HTTPie vs Akana

HTTPie logo

HTTPie

API Management

Command-line HTTP client with intuitive interface and syntax

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Akana logo

Akana

API Management

Enterprise API lifecycle management platform

From
$2500/monthly
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only HTTPie has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: HTTPie the desktop application is in public beta rather than a finished release; Akana owned by Perforce and sold within their portfolio rather than independently, and akana.com redirects to perforce.com
  • They diverge on capability: HTTPie covers REST Client, Akana covers API Lifecycle Management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which HTTPie and Akana actually diverge.

Attributes where HTTPie and Akana differ
AttributeHTTPieAkana
Starting priceFree$2500/monthly
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsLinux, MacOS, Windows, WebCloud, On-premise, Hybrid
Founded20122001

Identical on both: 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 HTTPie

  • REST Client
  • JSON support
  • Colored output
  • CI/CD
  • Shell scripting
  • Automation
  • Linux support
  • MacOS support

Only in Akana

  • API Lifecycle Management
  • API Security
  • Governance Controls
  • OAuth
  • SAML
  • LDAP
  • Active Directory
  • Cloud support

What people use each for

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

HTTPie

  • Sending and inspecting HTTP requests from the terminalnot Akana
  • A readable alternative to curl for API debuggingnot Akana
  • Testing APIs through a graphical clientnot Akana
  • Installing through apt, brew or pip in a development environmentnot Akana

Akana

  • API lifecycle management across REST, SOAP and GraphQLnot HTTPie
  • Applying OAuth, JWT and SAML policies at the gatewaynot HTTPie
  • Running the same platform on-premises, in Kubernetes or across cloudsnot HTTPie
  • Developer portal and API monetisationnot HTTPie
  • Monitoring API traffic and enforcing quotasnot HTTPie

Where each one falls short

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

HTTPie

  • The desktop application is in public beta rather than a finished release
  • Pricing for the desktop and web products is not published, while the terminal client is free and open source
  • The graphical versions are newer than the CLI, so parity between them is not guaranteed

Akana

  • Owned by Perforce and sold within their portfolio rather than independently, and akana.com redirects to perforce.com
  • Pricing is not published; only a 30 day trial is offered

Pricing, plan by plan

HTTPie

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full HTTPie CLI
    • Community support
  • HTTPie for Web$10/monthly
    • Web interface
    • Cloud storage
    • Team collaboration

Akana

$2500/monthly
  • Professional$2500/monthly
    • API Gateway
    • Developer Portal
    • Basic analytics
  • Enterprise$5000/monthly
    • Advanced governance
    • Multi-cloud support
    • Premium support
  • Custom$undefined/monthly
    • Custom solutions
    • Dedicated support
    • SLA guarantee

Which should you pick?

Choose HTTPie if

  • You need rest client.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, MacOS, Windows, Web.
  • You also want json support.
HTTPie review

Choose Akana if

  • You need api lifecycle management.
  • You work on Cloud, On-premise, Hybrid.
  • You also want api security.
Akana review

Questions people ask

Is HTTPie or Akana better?
Neither clearly leads. HTTPie starts at Free and Akana at $2500/monthly, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HTTPie or Akana?
HTTPie has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for HTTPie and $2500/monthly for Akana.
Does HTTPie or Akana run on more platforms?
HTTPie runs on Linux, MacOS, Windows, Web. Akana runs on Cloud, On-premise, Hybrid.
Can I use HTTPie for free?
Yes. HTTPie has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Akana starts at $2500/monthly.
What is HTTPie best used for?
HTTPie is most often used for sending and inspecting http requests from the terminal, a readable alternative to curl for api debugging, testing apis through a graphical client, installing through apt, brew or pip in a development environment. Of those, sending and inspecting http requests from the terminal and a readable alternative to curl for api debugging are not what Akana is typically brought in for.
What can HTTPie do that Akana cannot?
HTTPie covers REST Client, JSON support, Colored output, CI/CD. Akana covers API Lifecycle Management, API Security, Governance Controls, OAuth.
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