The Best soapUI Alternative for API Testing and Development
soapUI, developed by Eviware (now SmartBear), has long been a go-to tool for functional testing of web services, including SOAP, RESTful, HTTP, and JMS. It's a robust open-source solution with a commercial counterpart, soapUI Pro, offering extended functionalities. While soapUI remains a powerful contender, many developers and testers seek out a soapUI alternative for various reasons, including specific feature needs, interface preferences, or integration capabilities. This article explores some of the top alternatives that can streamline your API testing and development workflows.
Top soapUI Alternatives
Whether you're looking for a more lightweight solution, a tool with enhanced collaboration features, or one with a different set of integrations, there's a strong soapUI alternative out there to meet your requirements. Here's a curated list of excellent options:
Postman
Postman is a highly popular and comprehensive tool that facilitates the development and use of APIs, making it a strong soapUI alternative. It provides all the necessary functionality to create, simulate, and manage API specifications, supporting both REST API and SOAP API. Available on Freemium, Mac, Windows, Linux, Web, and Chrome OS, Postman offers features like Development API, API Management, CI/CD, and Version and Source control, making it a versatile choice for many teams.
Insomnia REST Client
Insomnia REST Client is a powerful REST API client known for its sleek interface and robust features, making it an excellent soapUI alternative, particularly for RESTful API testing. It offers cookie management, environment variables, code generation, and authentication for Mac, Windows, and Linux. As a Freemium and Open Source tool, Insomnia boasts features like Lightweight design, Request Chaining, GraphQL support, Cloud sync, and the ability to Import Curl commands, providing a comprehensive API testing experience.
Apache JMeter
Apache JMeter is a powerful open-source Java application designed primarily for load testing and performance measurement, making it a valuable soapUI alternative for scenarios requiring stress testing. While originally for Web Applications, it can be extended to test various services. It's Free and Open Source, available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, and offers features like Stress Testing, Load testing, MongoDB integration, and comprehensive Reporting, ideal for performance-focused testing.
Advanced REST Client (ARC)
Advanced REST Client (ARC) is a free and open-source API testing tool that allows web developers to create and test custom HTTP requests, serving as a functional soapUI alternative. Available on Mac, Windows, Linux, Chrome OS, and as a Chrome extension, ARC provides Full headers control, a Web tool interface, and is Electron based, making it a flexible option for quick API interactions and testing directly from your browser or desktop.
Postwoman
Postwoman, now known as Hoppscotch, is an open-source API request builder that helps you create requests faster, saving development time. It's a compelling soapUI alternative, particularly for those preferring a web-based, self-hosted solution. This Free and Open Source tool runs entirely in the Web and can be Self-Hosted. Its features include being Ad-free, Cross browser testing, Websocket streams, Cross-platform compatibility, GraphQL API support, and a focus on REST API development.
RESTer
RESTer is a convenient REST client available as a Firefox and Chrome extension, offering a lightweight soapUI alternative for interacting with almost any web service. It's Free and Open Source, compatible with Mac, Windows, Linux, Chrome, and Firefox. Key features include general API support, API Management, Google Chrome Extensions, Firefox Extensions, Project Organization, and Variables, making it ideal for quick API tests directly from your browser.
Runscope
Runscope helps you monitor, log, and measure API usage to quickly diagnose and solve API problems, serving as a powerful soapUI alternative for API monitoring. It automatically monitors APIs without requiring coding. Available on Freemium, Mac, Windows, Linux, and Web, Runscope provides complete logging for API calls, Web-Based access, and acts as a Debugger for your API Backend, making it an excellent choice for maintaining API health.
RESTClient
RESTClient is a tool designed to test a variety of HTTP communications and RESTful webservices, offering a straightforward and user-friendly soapUI alternative. It's Free and Open Source, available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, providing a friendly GUI and rich functionalities for basic API testing needs.
StopLight
StopLight focuses on helping companies manage their API lifecycle with a visual modeling solution that reduces manual effort, presenting a comprehensive soapUI alternative for API design and governance. Available as Free Personal, and paid tiers, for Mac, Windows, Linux, and Web, StopLight streamlines API workflows from design to deployment.
getd.io
getd.io is a free, online REST API builder that works with CORS, positioning itself as a web-based soapUI alternative without the need for native applications. It operates as a Free Software as a Service (SaaS), offering Web-Based access, Websocket streams, API management, GraphQL API, and REST API capabilities, making it ideal for developers seeking a pure online solution for API testing and building.
Ultimately, the best soapUI alternative depends on your specific needs, budget, and team's workflow. We encourage you to explore these options, leverage their free tiers or open-source versions where available, and find the perfect fit to enhance your API testing and development processes.