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Software · head to head

Swagger/OpenAPI vs Asyncapi

S

Swagger/OpenAPI

Software

API specification and documentation framework using OpenAPI standard

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Asyncapi logo

Asyncapi

Software

Specification and tools for defining asynchronous APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 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; Asyncapi complex to implement and debug asynchronous operations due to their non-linear and concurrent nature
  • They diverge on capability: Swagger/OpenAPI covers OpenAPI Specification, Asyncapi covers API Specification.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Swagger/OpenAPI and Asyncapi differ
AttributeSwagger/OpenAPIAsyncapi
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsWeb, CLI, DesktopWeb, CLI, IDE Extensions
Founded20012019

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 Swagger/OpenAPI

  • OpenAPI Specification
  • Interactive Documentation
  • Code Generation
  • GitHub
  • GitLab
  • Jenkins
  • IDE plugins
  • Web support

Only in Asyncapi

  • API Specification
  • Code generation
  • Documentation
  • Multiple messaging protocols
  • Code generators
  • Specification support
  • Tools support

Both cover

  • CLI support

What people use each for

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

Swagger/OpenAPI

  • API Development
  • API Gateway
  • API Testing
  • API Documentation
  • Microservices

Asyncapi

  • API Development
  • API Gateway
  • API Testing
  • API Documentation
  • Microservices

Both are used for api development, api gateway, api testing, api documentation, microservices, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

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

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

Asyncapi

  • Complex to implement and debug asynchronous operations due to their non-linear and concurrent nature
  • Keeping AsyncAPI documents up to date is challenging as systems evolve
  • Tracing and debugging asynchronous operations is more difficult than synchronous request-response patterns

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Asyncapi

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • AsyncAPI specification
    • Tools
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Asyncapi if

  • You need api specification.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, CLI, IDE Extensions.
  • You also want code generation.
Asyncapi review

Questions people ask

Is Swagger/OpenAPI or Asyncapi better?
Neither clearly leads. Swagger/OpenAPI starts at Free and Asyncapi at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Swagger/OpenAPI or Asyncapi?
Swagger/OpenAPI starts at Free and Asyncapi at Free.
Does Swagger/OpenAPI or Asyncapi run on more platforms?
Swagger/OpenAPI runs on Web, CLI, Desktop. Asyncapi runs on Web, CLI, IDE Extensions.
Can I use Swagger/OpenAPI for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Swagger/OpenAPI best used for?
Swagger/OpenAPI is most often used for api development, api gateway, api testing, api documentation.
What can Swagger/OpenAPI do that Asyncapi cannot?
Swagger/OpenAPI covers OpenAPI Specification, Interactive Documentation, Code Generation, GitHub. Asyncapi covers API Specification, Code generation, Documentation, Multiple messaging protocols. Both handle CLI support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Asyncapi: What is AsyncAPI used for?

AsyncAPI is an open-source specification for defining and documenting asynchronous APIs, message-driven systems, and event-driven architectures. It serves the same purpose for async APIs as OpenAPI does for REST APIs, providing standardized documentation, code generation, and tooling.

Source
Asyncapi: Is AsyncAPI free to use?

Yes, AsyncAPI is completely free and open-source. It is hosted by the Linux Foundation and supported by community contributions and sponsorships from companies like Postman, IBM, IQVIA Technology, and Solace.

Source
Asyncapi: What protocols and technologies does AsyncAPI support?

AsyncAPI supports multiple protocols and technologies including Kafka, RabbitMQ, MQTT, Socket.IO, AWS EventBridge, and others. It provides language support for JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, Java, Go, C#/.NET, Kotlin, and PHP.

Source
Asyncapi: Does AsyncAPI have IDE support?

Yes, AsyncAPI has IDE extensions available for VSCode and IntelliJ, along with CLI utilities and GitHub Actions integration for developers.

Source
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