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Documentation · head to head

ReadMe vs Scalar

ReadMe logo

ReadMe

Documentation

Hosted developer hub priced per API project, with docs personalised from live request logs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Scalar logo

Scalar

Documentation

Open source API reference renderer and request client generated entirely from an OpenAPI document

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: ReadMe pricing is per project, so an organisation with several distinct APIs multiplies the monthly bill rather than adding seats, and the sensible workaround, merging unrelated APIs into one documentation project, distorts the information architecture to fit the invoice.; Scalar it documents only what an OpenAPI document can express, so guides, authentication walkthroughs and conceptual pages need a second tool and a second navigation.
  • They diverge on capability: ReadMe covers OpenAPI reference, Scalar covers OpenAPI driven reference.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ReadMe and Scalar actually diverge.

Attributes where ReadMe and Scalar differ
AttributeReadMeScalar
Pricing modelPer project per monthOpen source, no licence fee
PlatformsWebWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux

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

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 ReadMe

  • OpenAPI reference
  • Try It playground
  • API metrics
  • Personalised docs
  • Versioning
  • Guides and recipes
  • Git sync via rdme
  • Changelog and support widget

Only in Scalar

  • OpenAPI driven reference
  • Embedded API client
  • Generated code samples
  • Framework adapters
  • Themeable renderer
  • Self hostable
  • Spec validation

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

ReadMe

  • Publishing a public API reference where a developer can send a live request with their own key from the documentation pagenot Scalar
  • Cutting support load by showing an integrating developer their own recent failing requests next to the endpoint descriptionnot Scalar
  • Keeping documentation versions aligned with API versions so customers on an older release read the matching referencenot Scalar
  • Shipping documentation from the same pull request as the code change using the rdme command line tool in CInot Scalar

Scalar

  • Replacing default Swagger UI on a public API without moving to a hosted documentation vendornot ReadMe
  • A framework that already emits an OpenAPI document and needs a reference page mounted on a routenot ReadMe
  • An internal API portal that must run inside a private network with no external callsnot ReadMe
  • A team that wants readers to make authenticated test calls without leaving the reference pagenot ReadMe

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

ReadMe

  • Pricing is per project, so an organisation with several distinct APIs multiplies the monthly bill rather than adding seats, and the sensible workaround, merging unrelated APIs into one documentation project, distorts the information architecture to fit the invoice.
  • The metrics and personalisation features require your API to stream request logs to ReadMe, which means production request metadata leaves your infrastructure and needs a scrubbing layer plus a security review before anything is switched on.
  • Single sign-on and private documentation sit on the higher tier, so a company that only needs to gate partner documentation behind SAML pays a large step up for one control.
  • The platform is built for describing REST APIs, and long-form product manuals, internal knowledge bases or non-OpenAPI protocols fit it badly, so most customers end up running a second documentation tool alongside it.
  • Theming is bounded by ReadMe templates and limited custom CSS, so a documentation site that must match a strongly designed marketing site will not get there without compromise.
  • Content uses ReadMe-specific Markdown extensions and platform features, so migrating away is an export plus a rewrite rather than moving a folder of Markdown files.

Scalar

  • It documents only what an OpenAPI document can express, so guides, authentication walkthroughs and conceptual pages need a second tool and a second navigation.
  • The output is only as good as the spec, so an API with thin descriptions and missing examples produces a thin reference and the tool cannot compensate.
  • Deep visual customisation goes beyond the theme variables quickly, and matching an existing brand often means overriding styles against internal class names that can change.
  • Running the embedded client against a production API invites readers to send real requests, which means rate limits, test accounts and CORS configuration become your problem.
  • The open source renderer and the hosted platform advance at different rates, so a feature seen in a demo is not necessarily in the package you self host.

Pricing, plan by plan

ReadMe

Free
  • FreeFree
    • One project on a ReadMe subdomain
    • OpenAPI reference and guides
    • Basic editing and publishing
  • Startup$99/month
    • One project
    • Custom domain
    • API metrics from request logs
  • Business$399/month
    • One project
    • SAML single sign-on
    • Private and partner-only documentation
  • Enterprise$undefined/year
    • Multiple projects under one contract
    • Negotiated support and uptime terms
    • Security review and custom deployment questions

Scalar

Free
  • Open source rendererFree
    • MIT licence, no fee for the renderer
    • Embedded request client
    • Framework adapters

Which should you pick?

Choose ReadMe if

  • You need openapi reference.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want try it playground.
ReadMe review

Choose Scalar if

  • You need openapi driven reference.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux.
  • You also want embedded api client.
Scalar review

Questions people ask

Is ReadMe or Scalar better?
Neither clearly leads. ReadMe starts at Free and Scalar at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ReadMe or Scalar?
ReadMe starts at Free and Scalar at Free.
Does ReadMe or Scalar run on more platforms?
ReadMe runs on Web. Scalar runs on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux.
Can I use ReadMe for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is ReadMe best used for?
ReadMe is most often used for publishing a public api reference where a developer can send a live request with their own key from the documentation page, cutting support load by showing an integrating developer their own recent failing requests next to the endpoint description, keeping documentation versions aligned with api versions so customers on an older release read the matching reference, shipping documentation from the same pull request as the code change using the rdme command line tool in ci. Of those, publishing a public api reference where a developer can send a live request with their own key from the documentation page and cutting support load by showing an integrating developer their own recent failing requests next to the endpoint description are not what Scalar is typically brought in for.
What can ReadMe do that Scalar cannot?
ReadMe covers OpenAPI reference, Try It playground, API metrics, Personalised docs. Scalar covers OpenAPI driven reference, Embedded API client, Generated code samples, Framework adapters.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

ReadMe: Is ReadMe priced per user?

No. It is priced per project, meaning per documented API. Team size does not change the bill, and a second API generally does.

Scalar: Can I use it without paying anything?

Yes. The renderer is open source and self hostable. The hosted platform is a separate paid product.

ReadMe: Do I have to send my API logs to ReadMe?

Only for metrics and personalised documentation. The reference, guides and playground work without it, but the features that most distinguish the product are the ones that need the log stream.

Scalar: Does it replace a full documentation site?

No. It covers API reference. Guides and concepts need a general documentation generator alongside it.

ReadMe: Can I keep documentation in Git?

Yes. The rdme command line tool synchronises Markdown and OpenAPI files from a repository, so documentation can ship in the same pull request as the code.

Scalar: Will my reference go out of date?

Only if your OpenAPI document does. The reference is generated, so there is no second copy to forget.

ReadMe: Can I self-host it?

No. ReadMe is a hosted product only, so buyers with a hard on-premises requirement need a different platform.

Scalar: Does the embedded client send real requests?

Yes, from the reader browser. Plan for CORS, rate limits and a sandbox environment before publishing.

Scalar: What if my API has no OpenAPI document?

Then this is the wrong tool. Producing an accurate spec is the prerequisite, not an optional step.

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