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Testing · head to head

Insomnia vs Playwright

Insomnia logo

Insomnia

Testing

REST and GraphQL API client for development and testing

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Playwright logo

Playwright

Testing

Open-source web automation framework for testing and scripting across browsers

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; Playwright requires programming language knowledge; not suitable for non-technical QA staff
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Insomnia and Playwright actually diverge.

Attributes where Insomnia and Playwright differ
AttributeInsomniaPlaywright
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, Linux, WebWindows, macOS, Linux
Founded2010Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Testing).

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 Playwright

Nothing recorded that Insomnia does not also cover.

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

Playwright

  • End-to-end testing for web applicationsnot Insomnia
  • Cross-browser compatibility testingnot Insomnia
  • Accessibility testing and automated screen reader validationnot Insomnia
  • Web scraping and data extraction automationnot Insomnia
  • AI agent web automation via MCP integrationnot 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

Playwright

  • Requires programming language knowledge; not suitable for non-technical QA staff
  • WebKit implementation less mature than Chromium; occasional webkit-specific issues
  • Mobile browser testing relies on emulation, not real devices
  • No managed cloud infrastructure; users must host CI/CD runners or pay for third-party services

Pricing, plan by plan

Insomnia

Free
  • EssentialsFree
    • unlimited Cloud/Local projects
    • up to 3 users with Git Sync
    • 1,000 mock server requests/month
  • Pro$12/user/month
    • unlimited users with Git Sync access
    • unlimited organizations
    • role-based access control
  • Enterprise$45/user/month
    • Kong Konnect integration
    • SSO (SAML/OIDC)
    • SCIM provisioning

Playwright

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Playwright 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 Playwright if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
Playwright review

Questions people ask

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

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Insomnia: How much does Insomnia cost?

Insomnia offers a free Essentials plan. Pro plans cost $12 per user per month with annual billing offering 17% savings. Enterprise plans cost $45 per user per month with support for up to 50 users self-serve; contact sales for larger teams.

Source
Playwright: How much does Playwright cost?

Playwright is completely free. It is open-source software available for TypeScript, Python, .NET, and Java with no licensing fees or usage limits.

Source
Insomnia: Is there a free version of Insomnia?

Yes, the Essentials plan is free and includes unlimited Cloud and Local projects, Git Sync for up to 3 users, 1,000 mock server requests per month, Inso CLI, E2EE, custom linting, plugins, and AI features.

Source
Playwright: Is Playwright open-source?

Yes, Playwright is open-source software. The source code is available on GitHub and can be used at no cost with no restrictions on commercial use.

Source
Insomnia: What mock server request limits apply to Insomnia plans?

Essentials includes 1,000 mock server requests per month. Pro includes 10,000 requests per month. Enterprise includes unlimited mock server requests. Additional mock server requests beyond plan allowances cost $10 per 25,000 requests.

Source
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