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Testing · head to head

Insomnia vs Zephyr Scale

Insomnia logo

Insomnia

Testing

REST and GraphQL API client for development and testing

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zephyr Scale logo

Zephyr Scale

Testing

Native test management for Jira

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Insomnia has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Insomnia git Sync on the free tier covers up to 3 users only; Zephyr Scale tightly bound to Jira; limited standalone functionality outside Jira ecosystem
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Insomnia and Zephyr Scale actually diverge.

Attributes where Insomnia and Zephyr Scale differ
AttributeInsomniaZephyr Scale
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, Linux, WebWeb
Founded2010Unknown

Identical on both: 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 Zephyr Scale

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

Zephyr Scale

  • Test case management within Jira workflowsnot Insomnia
  • Manual and automated test execution trackingnot Insomnia
  • Cross-project test asset reusenot Insomnia
  • Requirements traceability from stories to testsnot Insomnia
  • CI/CD pipeline and BDD framework 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

Zephyr Scale

  • Tightly bound to Jira; limited standalone functionality outside Jira ecosystem
  • No-code automation features limited in Standard tier, expanded only in Advanced
  • Data residency feature unavailable for Essential tier, limiting enterprise compliance
  • Transparent cost structure not provided on marketing page

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

Zephyr Scale

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Zephyr Scale 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 Zephyr Scale if

Nothing in the data separates Zephyr Scale from Insomnia on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Zephyr Scale review

Questions people ask

Is Insomnia or Zephyr Scale better?
Neither clearly leads. Insomnia starts at Free and Zephyr Scale at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Insomnia or Zephyr Scale?
Insomnia has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Insomnia and On request for Zephyr Scale.
Does Insomnia or Zephyr Scale run on more platforms?
Insomnia runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux, Web. Zephyr Scale runs on Web.
Can I use Insomnia for free?
Yes. Insomnia has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Zephyr Scale starts at On request.
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 Zephyr Scale is typically brought in for.
What can Insomnia do that Zephyr Scale 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
Zephyr Scale: How much does Zephyr Scale cost?

Zephyr Scale pricing is not published on the website. Three tiers are available: Essential, Standard, and Advanced, plus QMetry for Jira. Contact SmartBear or visit Atlassian Marketplace for pricing details.

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
Zephyr Scale: Is there a free trial available?

Yes, Zephyr offers free trials for Essential, Standard, and Advanced tiers, as well as for QMetry. Visit the product page to start a trial.

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
Zephyr Scale: Does Zephyr Scale work outside of Jira?

Zephyr Scale is tightly integrated with Jira for test management. For standalone test management outside Jira, SmartBear offers QMetry as an alternative.

Source
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