Bruno vs ReadMe: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Bruno and ReadMe 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 want the higher-rated option (8.2/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • 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
ReadMe
API documentation platform
Best for you if:
- • You need api tools features specifically
- • ReadMe is a platform for creating and publishing interactive API documentation with Git-style workflows.
- • It features integrated AI tools for content generation, linting, and auditing to improve documentation quality.
| At a Glance |  Bruno |  ReadMe |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | Version Control | API Tools |
Rating | 82/100 | —/100 |
| Feature | Bruno | ReadMe |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 82 | — |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 88 |
| Categories | Version ControlAPI Tools | API ToolsDocumentation |
How Bruno and ReadMe Compare
Bruno
Open-source API client alternative to Postman
Free · 82/100 score
ReadMe
API documentation platform
Free tier available
Bruno is a version control tool. ReadMe is in api tools.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Bruno is free. ReadMe is freemium.
Go with: Bruno
Want the highest-rated option?
Bruno scores 82/100. ReadMe is unrated.
Go with: Bruno
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Bruno
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Bruno is free. ReadMe is freemium. Go with Bruno if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Bruno is a version control tool. ReadMe is in api tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Bruno
- Higher score: 82/100 vs unrated
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
ReadMe
- More community upvotes (88)
- Better fit for api tools
The Bottom Line
Bruno (82/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bruno or ReadMe better?
Bruno scores 82/100 in our evaluation. Bruno is free and ReadMe is freemium.
What are Bruno and ReadMe used for?
Bruno: Open-source API client alternative to Postman. ReadMe: API documentation platform.
What does Bruno cost vs ReadMe?
Bruno is completely free. ReadMe is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.