Hoppscotch vs Insomnia
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.
Insomnia
A mature, multi-protocol API client with a fully local storage mode.
Insomnia is an open-source, cross-platform API client maintained by Kong, covering REST, GraphQL, gRPC, WebSocket, and SSE. Its Local Vault and Scratch Pad options keep collections 100% on your device, and Git Sync stores them in a repository you control, while optional Cloud Sync adds end-to-end-encrypted team collaboration. It is well-established and feature-rich, though most capabilities beyond the local Scratch Pad require a (free) account.
Side by side
| Hoppscotch | Insomnia | |
|---|---|---|
| Sovereignty Score | 90 | 82 |
| 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 with a generous plan; paid tiers for unlimited collaboration, Git Sync, and org/SSO features |
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
Insomnia
Strengths
- +Open-source (Apache-2.0), backed by Kong
- +Local Vault and Scratch Pad allow fully local storage
- +Git Sync keeps collections in your own repository
- +Mature and multi-protocol (REST, GraphQL, gRPC, WebSocket)
Trade-offs
- −Most features beyond the local Scratch Pad require a free account
- −The product is steered toward Kong's cloud
- −Premium collaboration and Git Sync sit on paid plans
- −Some users prefer a fully no-account tool
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.