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Software · head to head

Insomnia vs Strapi

Insomnia logo

Insomnia

Software

REST and GraphQL API client for development and testing

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Strapi logo

Strapi

Software

Headless CMS 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; Strapi cloud pricing is per project, not per account, so a second project doubles the bill
  • They diverge on capability: Insomnia covers REST API Client, Strapi covers REST API.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Insomnia and Strapi actually diverge.

Attributes where Insomnia and Strapi differ
AttributeInsomniaStrapi
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, Linux, WebNode.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker
Founded20102015

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 Strapi

  • REST API
  • GraphQL API
  • Content management
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • MongoDB
  • AWS
  • Webhooks

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

Strapi

  • Running a self hosted headless CMS with a REST or GraphQL APInot Insomnia
  • Giving editors a content admin panel over a custom content modelnot 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

Strapi

  • Cloud pricing is per project, not per account, so a second project doubles the bill
  • Starter at $35 a month allows 100,000 API requests, and overage is $1.50 per 25,000
  • Extra bandwidth is $30 per 100 GB and extra asset storage $0.60 per GB
  • Backups start at the Pro plan, weekly, and only become daily at Business
  • An uptime SLA is Business only, at $450 a month per project
  • Additional environments cost $60 a month on Pro and $300 a month on Business

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

Strapi

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Self-hosted Strapi
    • Community support
  • Pro$99/monthly
    • Cloud hosting
    • Advanced features
    • Priority support
  • Business$undefined/monthly
    • Enterprise features
    • Custom SLA
    • Dedicated 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 Strapi if

  • You need rest api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker.
  • You also want graphql api.
Strapi review

Questions people ask

Is Insomnia or Strapi better?
Neither clearly leads. Insomnia starts at Free and Strapi at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Insomnia or Strapi?
Insomnia starts at Free and Strapi at Free.
Does Insomnia or Strapi run on more platforms?
Insomnia runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux, Web. Strapi runs on Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker.
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 Strapi is typically brought in for.
What can Insomnia do that Strapi cannot?
Insomnia covers REST API Client, GraphQL Support, gRPC Support, GitHub. Strapi covers REST API, GraphQL API, Content management, PostgreSQL.
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