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Software · head to head

Insomnia vs Parse Server

Insomnia logo

Insomnia

Software

REST and GraphQL API client for development and testing

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Parse Server logo

Parse Server

Software

Open-source Backend as a Service platform with REST and GraphQL APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Insomnia git Sync on the free tier covers up to 3 users only; Parse Server deployment complexity and scaling challenges require operational expertise
  • They diverge on capability: Insomnia covers REST API Client, Parse Server covers REST API.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Insomnia and Parse Server actually diverge.

Attributes where Insomnia and Parse Server differ
AttributeInsomniaParse Server
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, Linux, WebNode.js, Express, REST API, GraphQL API
Founded20102011

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Insomnia

  • REST API Client
  • GraphQL Support
  • gRPC Support
  • GitHub
  • GitLab
  • Slack
  • Windows support
  • MacOS support

Only in Parse Server

  • REST API
  • GraphQL API
  • Authentication
  • Node.js
  • Cloud functions
  • File storage
  • Webhooks
  • Node.js support

What people use each for

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

Insomnia

  • Sending and debugging HTTP, GraphQL and gRPC requestsnot Parse Server
  • Storing collections in Git rather than a vendor cloudnot Parse Server
  • Mocking an API endpoint before it existsnot Parse Server
  • Running collections in CI with the Inso CLInot Parse Server
  • Environment management across staging and productionnot Parse Server

Parse Server

  • API Developmentnot Insomnia
  • API Gatewaynot Insomnia
  • API Testingnot Insomnia
  • API Documentationnot Insomnia
  • Microservicesnot Insomnia

Where each one falls short

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

Insomnia

  • Git Sync on the free tier covers up to 3 users only
  • Mock servers are capped at 1,000 requests a month on free, then $10 per 25,000
  • Role-based access control requires Pro at $12 per user per month
  • SSO, SCIM and vault integrations are Enterprise only at $45 per user per month
  • Working without an account is limited to the local-only Scratch Pad

Parse Server

  • Deployment complexity and scaling challenges require operational expertise
  • Requires database management skills for MongoDB or PostgreSQL administration
  • Smaller community and ecosystem compared to Firebase or cloud alternatives
  • Query depth bypass vulnerability allowing denial-of-service attacks via complex REST/GraphQL queries
  • Stored XSS vulnerability through SVG file uploads requires patching

Pricing, plan by plan

Insomnia

Free
  • FreeFree
    • REST, GraphQL, gRPC support
    • Local data
  • Pro$5/monthly
    • Cloud sync
    • Team collaboration
    • Advanced features
  • Team$30/monthly
    • Team management
    • Advanced analytics
    • Priority support

Parse Server

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Self-hosted Parse Server
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

Choose Insomnia if

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

Choose Parse Server if

  • You need rest api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Node.js, Express, REST API, GraphQL API.
  • You also want graphql api.
Parse Server review

Questions people ask

Is Insomnia or Parse Server better?
Neither clearly leads. Insomnia starts at Free and Parse Server at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Insomnia or Parse Server?
Insomnia starts at Free and Parse Server at Free.
Does Insomnia or Parse Server run on more platforms?
Insomnia runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux, Web. Parse Server runs on Node.js, Express, REST API, GraphQL API.
Can I use Insomnia for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Insomnia best used for?
Insomnia is most often used for sending and debugging http, graphql and grpc requests, storing collections in git rather than a vendor cloud, mocking an api endpoint before it exists, running collections in ci with the inso cli. Of those, sending and debugging http, graphql and grpc requests and storing collections in git rather than a vendor cloud are not what Parse Server is typically brought in for.
What can Insomnia do that Parse Server cannot?
Insomnia covers REST API Client, GraphQL Support, gRPC Support, GitHub. Parse Server covers REST API, GraphQL API, Authentication, Node.js.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Parse Server: Is Parse Server self-hosted or cloud-managed?

Parse Server is entirely self-hosted and open-source, running on your own infrastructure with no monthly subscription required; you manage the MongoDB or PostgreSQL database and deployment.

Parse Server: What databases does Parse Server support?

Parse Server works with MongoDB and PostgreSQL as data stores, giving you flexibility to choose your preferred database system for your application.

Parse Server: What APIs does Parse Server provide?

Parse Server automatically generates both REST and GraphQL APIs based on your application schema, and you can extend these with custom queries, mutations, and remote schemas.

Source
Parse Server: What SDKs are available for Parse Server?

Parse provides native SDKs for iOS (Swift/Objective-C), Android, JavaScript/Node.js, PHP, and .NET, plus REST and GraphQL access for any other platform.

Source
Parse Server: Does Parse Server include user authentication?

Yes. Parse Server includes out-of-the-box user management with support for email/password authentication, OAuth providers (Facebook, Twitter, Google, GitHub, LDAP), push notifications, and campaigns.

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Related pages

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