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Testing · head to head

Selenium vs Insomnia

Selenium logo

Selenium

Testing

Browser automation framework and the W3C WebDriver standard

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Insomnia logo

Insomnia

Testing

REST and GraphQL API client for development and testing

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Selenium flaky tests are the standing complaint: explicit waits and synchronisation are the tester’s job, where newer tools handle it automatically; Insomnia git Sync on the free tier covers up to 3 users only
  • They diverge on capability: Selenium covers W3C WebDriver, Insomnia covers REST API Client.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Selenium and Insomnia actually diverge.

Attributes where Selenium and Insomnia differ
AttributeSeleniumInsomnia
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feefreemium
PlatformsLinux, macOS, Windows, WebWindows, MacOS, Linux, Web
FoundedUnknown2010

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 Selenium

  • W3C WebDriver
  • Many language bindings
  • Selenium Grid
  • Broad browser support

Only in Insomnia

  • REST API Client
  • GraphQL Support
  • gRPC Support
  • GitHub
  • GitLab
  • Slack
  • Windows support
  • MacOS support

What people use each for

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

Selenium

  • Cross-browser testing where Safari and legacy browsers must be coverednot Insomnia
  • Teams whose test suites are written in Java or C# rather than JavaScriptnot Insomnia
  • Distributing a large suite across a grid of machinesnot Insomnia

Insomnia

  • Sending and debugging HTTP, GraphQL and gRPC requestsnot Selenium
  • Storing collections in Git rather than a vendor cloudnot Selenium
  • Mocking an API endpoint before it existsnot Selenium
  • Running collections in CI with the Inso CLInot Selenium
  • Environment management across staging and productionnot Selenium

Where each one falls short

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

Selenium

  • Flaky tests are the standing complaint: explicit waits and synchronisation are the tester’s job, where newer tools handle it automatically
  • Setup involves drivers, versions and grid infrastructure that Playwright and Cypress bundle away
  • Slower to run than tools that talk to browsers over a debugging protocol rather than WebDriver

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Selenium

Free
  • SeleniumFree
    • Full functionality
    • Unlimited tests
    • Community support

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Selenium if

  • You need w3c webdriver.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows, Web.
  • You also want many language bindings.
Selenium review

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

Questions people ask

Is Selenium or Insomnia better?
Neither clearly leads. Selenium starts at Free and Insomnia at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Selenium or Insomnia?
Selenium starts at Free and Insomnia at Free.
Does Selenium or Insomnia run on more platforms?
Selenium runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, Web. Insomnia runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux, Web.
Can I use Selenium for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Selenium best used for?
Selenium is most often used for cross-browser testing where safari and legacy browsers must be covered, teams whose test suites are written in java or c# rather than javascript, distributing a large suite across a grid of machines. Of those, cross-browser testing where safari and legacy browsers must be covered and teams whose test suites are written in java or c# rather than javascript are not what Insomnia is typically brought in for.
What can Selenium do that Insomnia cannot?
Selenium covers W3C WebDriver, Many language bindings, Selenium Grid, Broad browser support. Insomnia covers REST API Client, GraphQL Support, gRPC Support, GitHub.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Selenium: Is Selenium free?

Yes, open source with no licence fee. Paid costs come from grid infrastructure or services like BrowserStack.

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
Selenium: Selenium or Playwright?

Playwright handles waiting automatically and is faster to set up, which removes most flakiness complaints. Selenium wins on language breadth, browser coverage including Safari, and existing suites you already have.

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
Selenium: Is Selenium still relevant?

Yes. Its WebDriver protocol is a W3C standard implemented by every major browser, and very large existing suites are not rewritten cheaply.

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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