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Software · head to head

Stoplight vs Swagger/OpenAPI

Stoplight logo

Stoplight

Software

API design, documentation, and governance platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
S

Swagger/OpenAPI

Software

API specification and documentation framework using OpenAPI standard

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Stoplight the free plan allows one project and one user; Swagger/OpenAPI the OpenAPI Specification itself is licensed under Apache License 2.0 and free to use; SwaggerHub is a separate paid tool built on top of it
  • They diverge on capability: Stoplight covers API Design, Swagger/OpenAPI covers OpenAPI Specification.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Stoplight and Swagger/OpenAPI actually diverge.

Attributes where Stoplight and Swagger/OpenAPI differ
AttributeStoplightSwagger/OpenAPI
PlatformsWeb, CloudWeb, CLI, Desktop
Founded20142001

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 Stoplight

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

Only in Swagger/OpenAPI

  • OpenAPI Specification
  • Interactive Documentation
  • Code Generation
  • IDE plugins
  • CLI support
  • Desktop support

Both cover

  • GitHub
  • GitLab
  • Jenkins
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Stoplight

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

Swagger/OpenAPI

  • API Developmentnot Stoplight
  • API Gatewaynot Stoplight
  • API Testingnot Stoplight
  • API Documentationnot Stoplight
  • Microservicesnot Stoplight

Where each one falls short

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

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

Swagger/OpenAPI

  • The OpenAPI Specification itself is licensed under Apache License 2.0 and free to use; SwaggerHub is a separate paid tool built on top of it

Pricing, plan by plan

Stoplight

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

Swagger/OpenAPI

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • OpenAPI specification
    • Community tools
  • SwaggerHub FreeFree
    • Cloud editor
    • API mocking
    • API testing
  • SwaggerHub Pro$75/monthly
    • Team collaboration
    • Advanced mocking
    • Analytics

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Swagger/OpenAPI if

  • You need openapi specification.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, CLI, Desktop.
  • You also want interactive documentation.
Swagger/OpenAPI review

Questions people ask

Is Stoplight or Swagger/OpenAPI better?
Neither clearly leads. Stoplight starts at Free and Swagger/OpenAPI at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Stoplight or Swagger/OpenAPI?
Stoplight starts at Free and Swagger/OpenAPI at Free.
Does Stoplight or Swagger/OpenAPI run on more platforms?
Stoplight runs on Web, Cloud. Swagger/OpenAPI runs on Web, CLI, Desktop.
Can I use Stoplight for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Stoplight best used for?
Stoplight is most often used for designing and documenting openapi specifications visually, serving interactive api docs and instant mock servers from a spec. Of those, designing and documenting openapi specifications visually and serving interactive api docs and instant mock servers from a spec are not what Swagger/OpenAPI is typically brought in for.
What can Stoplight do that Swagger/OpenAPI cannot?
Stoplight covers API Design, API Documentation, Governance, Azure DevOps. Swagger/OpenAPI covers OpenAPI Specification, Interactive Documentation, Code Generation, IDE plugins. Both handle GitHub, GitLab, Jenkins, Web support.
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