
API client · Kong Inc.
Insomnia
Open-source desktop API client with a free plan, a local Scratch Pad and Git sync.
In short
- The Essentials plan is free; Pro costs $10 per user a month billed annually, or $12 billed monthly1.
- Request screens cover GraphQL, gRPC, WebSocket and SSE clients1,12.
- A local Scratch Pad works before you log in, and Git Sync stores projects as YAML files in your repository4,5.
- Source code is on GitHub under Apache-2.010.
- Single sign-on (SAML 2.0 and OIDC) needs the Enterprise plan6.
Insomnia suits people who want an open-source client that can run without an account and keep projects as YAML files in Git4,5,10. Pro at $10 per user a month, billed annually, adds Git Sync for every user and larger mock limits1. The catch: Git Sync is free for only 3 users, there is no web app, and the pricing page names SOC2 without saying Type II1.
Best for: People who want an open-source client with GraphQL, gRPC, WebSocket and SSE screens.
Where the points come from
Systems 8 of 10 points
Requests and protocols 30 of 33 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in protocols | GraphQL, gRPC, WebSocket, Server-Sent EventsThe requests page lists Event Stream (SSE), GraphQL, gRPC and WebSocket as separate request types; the pricing table lists an SSE client. No beta label1,12. | 12 / 12 |
| Imports OpenAPI | YesImport an OpenAPI spec from file, URL or clipboard, then generate requests8. | 4 / 4 |
| Scripts and tests | YesPre-request and after-response scripting, with Chai assertions in post-request scripts7. | 8 / 8 |
| Collection runner | YesCollection Runner tests multiple requests in a collection7. | 3 / 3 |
| Mock servers | YesMock servers are available on all plans, hosted in Insomnia cloud or self-hosted9. | 3 / 3 |
| Publishes API docs | Not publishedNot published on the vendor's collections page3: it describes a spec preview, not publishing documentation. | 0 / 3 |
Your data 22 of 22 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Works without an account | YesBefore you log in, you can use the local Scratch Pad, which keeps project data on your device4,10. | 8 / 8 |
| Collections as plain files | YesGit Sync stores projects as YAML files in your repository; free for up to 3 users1,5. | 8 / 8 |
| Open-source apps | YesRepository lists Apache-2.010. | 6 / 6 |
Teams and trust 11 of 16 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Shared team workspaces | YesCloud Sync projects in an organisation are available to all its users; Essentials limits Git Sync to 3 users1,4. | 7 / 7 |
| SAML or OIDC single sign-on | YesEnterprise plan supports SSO with SAML 2.0 or OIDC6. | 4 / 4 |
| SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001 | Not publishedNot published on the vendor's pricing page1: Enterprise lists access to SOC2 compliance, with no report type named. | 0 / 5 |
Price 14 of 19 points
The rule behind each line: how we score API clients.
Plans and prices
As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.
| Plan | Price as listed | Per month | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EssentialsIndividuals and small teams | Free1 | $0 | Unlimited local projects; Git Sync for up to 3 users |
| ProTeams | $10/user/month1 | $10 | Billed annually ($12 per user a month billed monthly); Git Sync for all users, 10,000 mock requests a month |
| EnterpriseLarger organisations | $45/user/month1,6 | $45 | Same $45 on the monthly and annual toggle; self-serve up to 50 users; adds SSO, SCIM and unlimited mock requests |
The pricing page toggle shows Pro at $12 per user a month billed monthly and $10 billed annually; Enterprise is $45 either way1.
Strengths
- Source code is public under Apache-2.010.
- A local Scratch Pad works before login, and the free plan allows unlimited local projects1,4.
- Git Sync stores projects as YAML files in your own repository5.
- Pre-request and after-response scripts, a collection runner and the Inso CLI are documented2,7.
- Mock servers are available on all plans, hosted or self-hosted9.
Other API clients
- 2
BrunoDevelopers who want collections in their own repository and no account82/100$6/mocheapest paid plan - 3
PostmanTeams that want shared workspaces, mock servers and published docs in one place78/100$9/mocheapest paid plan - 4
ApidogSmall teams that want design, testing, mocking and docs in one tool70/100$9/mocheapest paid plan - 5
HoppscotchDevelopers who want an MIT-licensed client with real-time protocols69/100$6/mocheapest paid plan
Insomnia vs Bruno · Insomnia vs Postman · All 11 API clients
Sources
- Insomnia pricing, Insomnia. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Insomnia documentation, Kong Developer. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- API Collections, Kong Developer. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Storage, Kong Developer. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Git Sync, Kong Developer. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Single sign-on, Kong Developer. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- API testing, Kong Developer. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- API specs, Kong Developer. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Mock servers, Kong Developer. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Kong/insomnia, GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Download Insomnia, Insomnia. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Requests, Insomnia. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Website: insomnia.rest · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Kong Inc..