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Software · head to head

Insomnia vs PocketBase

Insomnia logo

Insomnia

Software

REST and GraphQL API client for development and testing

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PocketBase logo

PocketBase

Software

Open-source backend with REST API, real-time subscriptions and Admin UI

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; PocketBase not recommended for production critical applications until reaching v1.0.0
  • They diverge on capability: Insomnia covers REST API Client, PocketBase covers REST API.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Insomnia and PocketBase actually diverge.

Attributes where Insomnia and PocketBase differ
AttributeInsomniaPocketBase
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, Linux, WebLinux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD
Founded20102021

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 PocketBase

  • REST API
  • Real-time subscriptions
  • Admin UI
  • SQLite
  • Webhooks
  • File storage
  • Go support
  • Docker 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 PocketBase
  • Storing collections in Git rather than a vendor cloudnot PocketBase
  • Mocking an API endpoint before it existsnot PocketBase
  • Running collections in CI with the Inso CLInot PocketBase
  • Environment management across staging and productionnot PocketBase

PocketBase

  • Embedded realtime database with REST APInot Insomnia
  • Backend-as-a-service for single-file deploymentsnot Insomnia
  • Rapid application development with email/OAuth2 authenticationnot Insomnia
  • File storage and media attachment managementnot Insomnia
  • Lightweight alternative to Firebase or traditional backend infrastructurenot Insomnia
  • Go and JavaScript customisable application frameworknot 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

PocketBase

  • Not recommended for production critical applications until reaching v1.0.0
  • Full backward compatibility not guaranteed before v1.0.0 (breaking changes possible with version updates)
  • Pull requests for new features are disabled due to spam concerns (feature contributions limited)

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

PocketBase

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the PocketBase review.

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 PocketBase if

  • You need rest api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD.
  • You also want real-time subscriptions.
PocketBase review

Questions people ask

Is Insomnia or PocketBase better?
Neither clearly leads. Insomnia starts at Free and PocketBase at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Insomnia or PocketBase?
Insomnia starts at Free and PocketBase at Free.
Does Insomnia or PocketBase run on more platforms?
Insomnia runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux, Web. PocketBase runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD.
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 PocketBase is typically brought in for.
What can Insomnia do that PocketBase cannot?
Insomnia covers REST API Client, GraphQL Support, gRPC Support, GitHub. PocketBase covers REST API, Real-time subscriptions, Admin UI, SQLite.
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