Unlocking Your API Workflow: Top RESTed Alternatives for Developers
RESTed has long been a go-to tool for developers, allowing them to quickly format and make HTTP requests and view responses with ease, supporting both basic HTTP authentication and OAuth. Its ability to spruce up XML and JSON responses automatically has made it a valuable asset. However, as development needs evolve, many are seeking a powerful RESTed alternative that offers broader platform support, advanced features, or a different approach to API testing and development. This article explores some of the best alternatives available to streamline your API workflow.
Top RESTed Alternatives
Whether you're looking for a more comprehensive API development suite, a lightweight testing tool, or something embedded within your browser, there's a perfect RESTed alternative for your specific needs. Here are some of the leading contenders:
Postman
Postman is a robust and widely-used tool that facilitates the development and use of APIs, providing comprehensive functionality to create, simulate, and manage API specifications. As a freemium platform available on Mac, Windows, Linux, Web, and Chrome OS, Postman offers extensive features including REST API, SOAP API, API Management, CI/CD integration, and version control, making it a powerful and versatile RESTed alternative for all your API needs.
Fiddler
Fiddler is a free Web Debugging Proxy for Windows that logs all HTTP(S) traffic between your computer and the Internet. Its core features include HTTP Monitoring, a powerful Debugger, and the ability to Monitor HTTP Traffic, offering a straightforward and effective way to inspect network communication, making it a strong contender as a RESTed alternative for debugging.
Insomnia REST Client
Insomnia REST Client is a powerful, open-source REST API client available on Mac, Windows, and Linux. This freemium tool boasts features like cookie management, environment variables, code generation, authentication, GraphQL integration, and cloud sync, all within a lightweight and responsive design. Its comprehensive set of features and cross-platform availability make it an excellent and flexible RESTed alternative.
Google Chrome Developer Tools
The Google Chrome Developer Tools offer an integrated, free, and open-source environment for debugging, optimizing, and understanding web applications directly within Google Chrome. Available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, these tools provide essential features like HTTPS Support, JavaScript support, and a comprehensive Web inspector, serving as a convenient, built-in RESTed alternative for web developers.
Firefox Developer Tools
Firefox Developer Tools provide a free and open-source suite for examining, editing, and debugging HTML, CSS, and JavaScript on both desktop and mobile platforms. Available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, these tools offer a robust Development API and are deeply integrated with Firefox, making them a strong, browser-based RESTed alternative for web development and debugging.
Paw
Paw is a commercial tool designed for Mac users to easily craft, test, and archive HTTP requests. It allows for detailed setup of HTTP Headers, URL parameters, and form-encoded POST key-values, and provides easy-to-read responses. With features like Developer Tools and Request Chaining, Paw offers a polished and efficient RESTed alternative specifically for macOS users.
Advanced REST Client (ARC)
Advanced REST Client (ARC) is a free and open-source API testing tool for web developers, available across Mac, Windows, Linux, Chrome OS, and as a Chrome extension. It allows users to create and test custom HTTP requests with full headers control, making it a highly flexible and accessible RESTed alternative for various environments.
Postwoman
Postwoman, now known as Hoppscotch, is an open-source API request builder available as a free web and self-hosted solution. It helps developers create requests faster with features like cross-browser testing, WebSocket streams, GraphQL API support, and a focus on being ad-free. As a lightweight and accessible tool, Postwoman serves as an excellent web-based RESTed alternative.
NetworkMiner
NetworkMiner is a free and open-source Network Forensic Analysis Tool (NFAT) for Windows, also compatible with Mac and Linux. It specializes in parsing PCAP files to regenerate and reassemble transmitted files and certificates from network traffic. While not a direct API client, its network monitoring and sniffing capabilities make it a valuable tool for understanding network interactions, providing a different angle as a RESTed alternative for network analysis.
RESTer
RESTer is a free and open-source REST client available as a Firefox and Chrome extension for Mac, Windows, and Linux. It simplifies interaction with almost any web service, offering features for API management, project organization, and variable support directly within your browser. Its convenience as a browser extension makes it a quick and efficient RESTed alternative for everyday API testing.
The landscape of API development tools is rich and diverse, offering a wide array of options beyond RESTed. Whether you prioritize comprehensive features, specific platform support, open-source flexibility, or browser integration, there’s a perfect RESTed alternative out there to enhance your development workflow. Explore these options and find the best fit for your unique needs and preferences.