Softwr

Software · head to head

Insomnia vs Stoplight

Insomnia logo

Insomnia

Software

REST and GraphQL API client for development and testing

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Stoplight logo

Stoplight

Software

API design, documentation, and governance platform

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; Stoplight the free plan allows one project and one user
  • They diverge on capability: Insomnia covers REST API Client, Stoplight covers API Design.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Insomnia and Stoplight actually diverge.

Attributes where Insomnia and Stoplight differ
AttributeInsomniaStoplight
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, Linux, WebWeb, Cloud
Founded20102014

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), 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
  • Slack
  • Windows support
  • MacOS support
  • Linux support

Only in Stoplight

  • API Design
  • API Documentation
  • Governance
  • Jenkins
  • Azure DevOps
  • Cloud support

Both cover

  • GitHub
  • GitLab
  • Web 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 Stoplight
  • Storing collections in Git rather than a vendor cloudnot Stoplight
  • Mocking an API endpoint before it existsnot Stoplight
  • Running collections in CI with the Inso CLInot Stoplight
  • Environment management across staging and productionnot Stoplight

Stoplight

  • Designing and documenting OpenAPI specifications visuallynot Insomnia
  • Serving interactive API docs and instant mock servers from a specnot 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

Stoplight

  • The free plan allows one project and one user
  • Private projects, multi branch support and custom domains start at the Startup plan, $113 a month billed annually
  • SSO and shared style guides are Pro Team only, at $362 a month billed annually
  • Seats beyond each plan's allowance are $11 to $27 each per month depending on tier and billing period

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

Stoplight

Free
  • FreeFree
    • API design
    • Documentation
    • Community support
  • Pro$75/monthly
    • Governance
    • Advanced testing
    • Team collaboration
  • Enterprise$undefined/monthly
    • Custom deployment
    • SLA
    • Priority 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 Stoplight if

  • You need api design.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Cloud.
  • You also want api documentation.
Stoplight review

Questions people ask

Is Insomnia or Stoplight better?
Neither clearly leads. Insomnia starts at Free and Stoplight at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Insomnia or Stoplight?
Insomnia starts at Free and Stoplight at Free.
Does Insomnia or Stoplight run on more platforms?
Insomnia runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux, Web. Stoplight runs on Web, Cloud.
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 Stoplight is typically brought in for.
What can Insomnia do that Stoplight cannot?
Insomnia covers REST API Client, GraphQL Support, gRPC Support, Slack. Stoplight covers API Design, API Documentation, Governance, Jenkins. Both handle GitHub, GitLab, Web support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Insomnia

More on Stoplight

Keep looking

Other head to heads