Bruno vs Kong: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Bruno and Kong comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Bruno
Open-source API client alternative to Postman
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need version control features specifically
- • Bruno is an open-source IDE for exploring and testing APIs, alternative to Postman
- • It stores collections in your filesystem with Git-friendly plain text files
Kong
API gateway and platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 8.2/10)
- • You need api tools features specifically
- • Kong is an API gateway and platform for managing, securing, and monitoring APIs
- • It provides rate limiting, authentication, and traffic control for microservices
| At a Glance |  Bruno |  Kong |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | Version Control | API Tools |
Rating | 82/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Bruno | Kong |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 82 | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Version ControlAPI Tools | API ToolsHosting & Deployment |
How Bruno and Kong Compare
Bruno
Open-source API client alternative to Postman
Free · 82/100 score
Kong
API gateway and platform
Free tier available · 84/100 score
Bruno is a version control tool. Kong is in api tools.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Bruno is free. Kong is freemium.
Go with: Bruno
Want the highest-rated option?
Bruno: 82/100. Kong: 84/100.
Go with: Kong
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Kong
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Bruno is free. Kong is freemium. Go with Bruno if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Bruno is a version control tool. Kong is in api tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Kong scores higher: 84/100 vs 82/100.
Key Takeaways
Kong
- Higher score: 84/100 vs 82
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Bruno
- Completely free
- Better fit for version control
The Bottom Line
Kong (84/100) is our pick. That said, Bruno is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bruno or Kong better?
Kong scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Bruno is free and Kong is freemium.
What are Bruno and Kong used for?
Bruno: Open-source API client alternative to Postman. Kong: API gateway and platform.
What does Bruno cost vs Kong?
Bruno is completely free. Kong is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.