Hoppscotch vs API Dash
Both are free/open-source alternatives to Postman. Here's how they stack up — verified facts, no spin.
Hoppscotch
An open-source, browser-based API ecosystem you can self-host.
Hoppscotch is an open-source API development tool that runs in the browser as an installable PWA with offline support, covering REST, GraphQL, WebSocket, and Server-Sent Events. It is quick to start with nothing to install, and teams that want a shared workspace can self-host the full stack on their own infrastructure. The default hosted experience at hoppscotch.io is cloud-based, with a paid cloud team tier for managed collaboration.
API Dash
A fully offline, cross-platform FOSS API client, mobile included.
API Dash is a fully open-source, cross-platform API client built with Flutter that runs completely offline with no account, on desktop and mobile alike. It handles everyday REST and GraphQL workflows, imports collections, and can generate client code. It is the most sovereign option on this list in posture, though it is younger and less battle-tested than the others.
Side by side
| Hoppscotch | API Dash | |
|---|---|---|
| Sovereignty Score | 90 | 89 |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hostable | Yes | Yes |
| Local-first | Yes | Yes |
| License | MIT | Apache-2.0 |
| Pricing | Free and open-source; free hosted cloud; optional paid cloud team tier; self-host for free | Free and open-source |
Hoppscotch edges it on the Sovereignty Score, but the right pick depends on the trade-offs below.
Hoppscotch
Strengths
- +Open-source (MIT)
- +Runs in the browser with an installable, offline-capable PWA
- +Supports REST, GraphQL, WebSocket, and SSE
- +Can be self-hosted for a shared team workspace
Trade-offs
- −Default experience is the hosted cloud at hoppscotch.io
- −Self-hosting requires running and maintaining Docker services
- −A paid cloud team tier exists for managed collaboration
- −Browser-based model differs from a native desktop app
API Dash
Strengths
- +Fully open-source (Apache-2.0)
- +Completely offline and local with no account
- +Cross-platform including mobile (Flutter)
- +Actively developed FOSS project
Trade-offs
- −Younger and smaller community than the others
- −Fewer advanced and enterprise features
- −Smaller plugin and integration ecosystem
- −Less battle-tested for large team workflows
More Postman head-to-heads
Facts verified 2026-07-05. Licenses and pricing change — spotted something out of date? That's a correction we want.