Postman vs Insomnia: Which API Tool Reigns Supreme in 2025?

What Are Postman and Insomnia?

Overview of Postman

Overview of Insomnia

{{base_url}}/weather?key={{api_key}}&location={{location}}  

Voiden: A Compelling Postman/Insomnia Alternative

1. Offline-First Workflow: No cloud sync or login—requests are stored as JSON/YAML files, perfect for air-gapped environments.
2. Lightweight & Fast: Non-Electron-based, it runs lean on any hardware.
3. Modern API Support: Handles REST, GraphQL, WebSocket, and gRPC with clean configs.
4. Git-Friendly: File-based storage integrates seamlessly with Git for version control.
5. CLI-First & Scriptable: Automate tests via terminal with Node.js or Python:

     requests:  
         - name: Get User  
           method: GET  
           url: <https://api.example.com/user/{{id}>}  
           headers:  
             Authorization: Bearer {{token}}

Feature Comparison: Postman vs Insomnia

1. User Interface and Experience

2. API Testing Capabilities

pm.sendRequest({  
    url: '<https://api.example.com/login>',  
    method: 'POST',  
    header: {  
        'Content-Type': 'application/json'  
    },  
    body: {  
        mode: 'raw',  
        raw: JSON.stringify({ username: 'user', password: 'pass' })  
    }  
}, (err, res) => {  
    const token = res.json().token;  
    pm.environment.set('authToken', token);  
});

pm.test("Status is 200", () => {  
    pm.response.to.have.status(200);  
});  
pm.test("Order ID exists", () => {  
    const jsonData = pm.response.json();  
    pm.expect(jsonData.orderId).to.exist;  
});

response => ({ nextRequest: { url: response.json.next } })

3. Collaboration and Team Features

4. Pricing and Accessibility

5. Extensibility and Integrations

6. Protocol Versatility

7. Performance Under Pressure

8. API Documentation Support

9. Community and Ecosystem

Postman vs Insomnia: What We Like / Don’t Like

Postman: Strengths and Weaknesses

• Comprehensive feature set for testing, automation, and collaboration.
• Large community and enterprise-grade support.
• Newman CLI and integrations for seamless CI/CD workflows.
• Real-time documentation saves time.

• Resource-heavy (Electron-based, high CPU/memory usage).
• Cluttered UI slows down quick tasks.
• Limited support for non-HTTP protocols like WebSocket.

Insomnia: Strengths and Weaknesses

• Lightweight, open-source core for fast setup.
• Native support for GraphQL, WebSocket, and MQTT.
• Dynamic variables enhance Insomnia API testing flexibility.
• Clean UI prioritizes efficiency.

• Limited enterprise features compared to Postman.
• Smaller community, fewer tutorials.
• Collaboration feels clunky without robust cloud tools.
• No native documentation support.

Postman vs Insomnia: Which Should You Choose?

Comparison table

Best for Solo Developers

Best for Teams and Enterprises

Best for Specific Use Cases

• GraphQL/REST/WebSocket: Insomnia’s native support for diverse protocols outshines Postman’s HTTP focus.
• Automation/CI/CD: Postman’s Newman and monitors excel; Insomnia requires more setup.
• Documentation: Postman’s auto-generated docs are unmatched; Insomnia lacks this.

Future of API Testing in 2025

Trends to Watch

• AI-Generated Tests: Postman is integrating AI to auto-generate scripts and assertions, reducing manual work.
• Serverless-First Workflows: APIs are shifting to serverless, favoring lightweight tools like Insomnia.
• GraphQL and gRPC Adoption: Insomnia’s native support gives it an edge; Postman is catching up.
• Hybrid-Cloud Testing: Tools must balance local and cloud workflows, where Voiden’s offline model shines.

Tool Evolution

• Postman: Doubling down on AI-driven scripting, API governance, and CI/CD integrations.
• Insomnia: Enhancing plugins and native support for GraphQL/WebSocket.
• Voiden: Emerging as a lightweight, offline-first challenger for Git-centric teams.

Conclusion

FAQs

1. Which is better, Insomnia or Postman?

2. Which tool is better than Postman?

3. Is Insomnia compatible with Postman?

4. Which API testing tool is best?

5. Can I use Insomnia for commercial use?

6. How does ApyHub integrate with CI/CD pipelines compared to Postman?