Skip to content
Toolradar

Hoppscotch vs Insomnia: Which is Better in 2026?

Choosing between Hoppscotch and Insomnia 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.

Bottom line: Insomnia is our overall pick for API tools workflows. Pick Hoppscotch if you need a free tier to start with.

··Methodology
Editor reviewed0 verified reviews comparedPricing checked Jun 2026

Short on time? Here's the quick answer

We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:

Hoppscotch

Fast, lightweight API client for testing

Best for you if:

  • • Hoppscotch is a free, open-source API development ecosystem
  • • It provides a lightweight interface for testing REST, GraphQL, and WebSocket APIs

Insomnia

API client for REST and GraphQL

Best for you if:

  • • Open-source API client by Kong supporting REST, GraphQL, gRPC, WebSocket, SSE, SOAP, and Socket.io in one tool
  • • Free tier includes unlimited local projects, collection runners, and Inso CLI for CI/CD integration
At a Glance
HoppscotchHoppscotch
InsomniaInsomnia
Starts at
FreeFree tier available
FreeFree tier available
Best For
API ToolsAPI Tools
Rating
4.9/54.3/5

Choose Hoppscotch or Insomnia?

Hoppscotch

Choose Hoppscotch if

Fast, lightweight API client for testing

  • Open source
  • Self-hostable
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Budget matters (Free vs Free)
Insomnia

Choose Insomnia if

API client for REST and GraphQL

  • Supports 7+ API protocols in a single tool, no need for separate clients
  • Free tier includes unlimited local projects, collection runs, and environments
  • Git Sync provides true version control without vendor lock-in
Hoppscotch logo

Hoppscotch

Fast, lightweight API client for testing

Visit Website
TOP RATED
Insomnia logo

Insomnia

API client for REST and GraphQL

Visit Website
FeatureHoppscotchInsomnia
Pricing ModelFreemiumFreemium
User Rating
★4.9/5
77 reviews
★4.3/5
15 reviews
Categories
API ToolsDeveloper Tools
API ToolsDeveloper Tools

In-Depth Analysis

HoppscotchHoppscotch

Fast, lightweight API client for testing

Strengths

  • +Open source
  • +Self-hostable
  • +Real-time collaboration

Weaknesses

  • -Less polished than Postman

Key features

Open-source API clientREST, GraphQL, WebSocket supportUnlimited workspacesRequest collectionsTest runnersAdmin dashboard (paid)
Starts at Free

InsomniaInsomnia

API client for REST and GraphQL

Strengths

  • +Supports 7+ API protocols in a single tool, no need for separate clients
  • +Free tier includes unlimited local projects, collection runs, and environments
  • +Git Sync provides true version control without vendor lock-in
  • +Open-source core means transparency and community-driven development
  • +Inso CLI integrates API testing directly into CI/CD pipelines

Weaknesses

  • -Git Sync limited to 3 users on the free plan
  • -Mock server requests capped at 1,000/month on the free tier
  • -Enterprise SSO (SAML/OIDC) only available on the $45/user/month plan
  • -Desktop-only application, no browser-based or mobile client available
  • -Some advanced features require a Kong account even for local-only usage

Key features

Multi-protocol support: REST, GraphQL, gRPC, WebSocket, SSE, Socket.io, SOAPGit Sync for version-controlled API collections and team collaborationAutomated collection runners for API test suites and CI/CD pipelinesAI-powered mock server generation and commit messagesEnvironment variable management with inheritance and secret maskingInso CLI for running API tests in continuous integration pipelines
Starts at Free

Pricing: Hoppscotch vs Insomnia

PlanHoppscotchInsomnia
Tier 1
Free
Free
Free
Essentials
Tier 2
$6
Organization
$12
Pro
Tier 3N/A
$45
Enterprise

Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Hoppscotch pricing and Insomnia pricing.

Who Should Use What?

On a budget?

Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.

Go with: Hoppscotch

Want the highest-rated option?

Hoppscotch: 4.9/5 (77 reviews). Insomnia: 4.3/5 (15 reviews).

Go with: Hoppscotch

Value user reviews?

Hoppscotch: 77 reviews (4.9/5). Insomnia: 15 reviews (4.3/5).

Go with: Hoppscotch

3 Questions to Help You Decide

1

What's your budget?

Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.

2

What's your use case?

Both are api tools tools. Compare their specific features to decide.

3

How important are ratings?

Hoppscotch is rated higher: 4.9/5 vs 4.3/5.

Key Takeaways

Insomnia

  • Free tier available
  • Our pick for this comparison

Hoppscotch

  • Higher user rating: 4.9/5 vs 4.3/5
  • Larger review base (77 reviews)

The Bottom Line

Insomnia is our pick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hoppscotch or Insomnia better?

Insomnia is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.

What are Hoppscotch and Insomnia used for?

Hoppscotch: Fast, lightweight API client for testing. Insomnia: API client for REST and GraphQL.

What does Hoppscotch cost vs Insomnia?

Hoppscotch is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Insomnia is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.

Related Comparisons & Resources

Hoppscotch AlternativesInsomnia AlternativesHoppscotch Full ReviewInsomnia Full Review
Compare other tools