Bruno
Top pickA fast, git-native API client that stores collections as plain files.
95
sovereigntyBruno is an open-source desktop API client that keeps every request as a plain-text .bru file on your filesystem, so collections version-control in git right alongside the code they test. It runs entirely offline with no account required, imports existing Postman collections, and is notably lightweight and quick to start. The free core is fully featured for individuals and small teams; advanced Git, SSO, and org-scale management sit on paid Pro and Ultimate tiers.
OPEN SOURCEMITSELF-HOSTLOCAL-FIRST
LicenseMIT
PricingFree and open-source core; optional Pro ($6/user/mo) and Ultimate ($11/user/mo) for advanced Git, SSO, and support
Open sourceYes
Self-hostableYes
Local-first dataYes
What it does well
- +Fully open-source (MIT)
- +Collections are plain .bru files you version-control in git
- +Works offline with no account
- +Lightweight and fast to start
- +Imports Postman collections
Where it falls short
- −Advanced Git, SSO, and org features require paid Pro/Ultimate tiers
- −Younger ecosystem than Postman
- −Postman sandbox scripts may need manual rewriting on import
- −No built-in cloud sync for non-technical teammates
Bruno as an alternative to
Where Bruno shows up in our comparisons, and how it ranked.
Bruno head-to-head
Straight comparisons against the tools people weigh it against.