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Insomnia vs Sanity

Insomnia logo

Insomnia

Software

REST and GraphQL API client for development and testing

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Sanity logo

Sanity

Software

Headless CMS with real-time collaborative editing and structured content 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; Sanity free plan limited to 10,000 documents and 100GB assets
  • They diverge on capability: Insomnia covers REST API Client, Sanity covers Content API.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Insomnia and Sanity actually diverge.

Attributes where Insomnia and Sanity differ
AttributeInsomniaSanity
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, Linux, WebWeb
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 Sanity

  • Content API
  • Collaborative editing
  • Structured content
  • Webhooks
  • Third-party services
  • GROQ query language
  • Cloud support
  • JavaScript SDK 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 Sanity
  • Storing collections in Git rather than a vendor cloudnot Sanity
  • Mocking an API endpoint before it existsnot Sanity
  • Running collections in CI with the Inso CLInot Sanity
  • Environment management across staging and productionnot Sanity

Sanity

  • Headless CMS for structured content managementnot Insomnia
  • Collaborative content editing with real-time multiplayer supportnot Insomnia
  • API-driven content delivery with GROQ query languagenot 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

Sanity

  • Free plan limited to 10,000 documents and 100GB assets
  • Free plan supports only public datasets
  • Growth plan capped at 50 seats maximum
  • Private datasets, scheduled drafts, and comments/tasks require paid plans
  • Annual billing unavailable for Growth plan; Enterprise-only

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

Sanity

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Sanity 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 Sanity if

  • You need content api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want collaborative editing.
Sanity review

Questions people ask

Is Insomnia or Sanity better?
Neither clearly leads. Insomnia starts at Free and Sanity at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Insomnia or Sanity?
Insomnia starts at Free and Sanity at Free.
Does Insomnia or Sanity run on more platforms?
Insomnia runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux, Web. Sanity runs on Web.
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 Sanity is typically brought in for.
What can Insomnia do that Sanity cannot?
Insomnia covers REST API Client, GraphQL Support, gRPC Support, GitHub. Sanity covers Content API, Collaborative editing, Structured content, Webhooks.
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