Paw vs Insomnia: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Paw 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.
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:
Paw
Advanced API client for Mac
Best for you if:
- • Paw is a native Mac HTTP client for API development and testing
- • It provides request building, environments, and code generation
Insomnia
API client for REST and GraphQL
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 8.0/10)
- • You want to try before committing
- • Clean API client focused on simplicity and design
- • Excellent GraphQL support with schema integration
| At a Glance |  Paw |  Insomnia |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | API Tools | API Tools |
Rating | 80/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Paw | Insomnia |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 80 | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | API ToolsTesting & QA | API ToolsDebugging |
How Paw and Insomnia Compare
Paw
Advanced API client for Mac
Paid · 80/100 score
Insomnia
API client for REST and GraphQL
Free tier available · 84/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Insomnia has a free tier. Paw is paid only.
Go with: Insomnia
Want the highest-rated option?
Paw: 80/100. Insomnia: 84/100.
Go with: Insomnia
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Insomnia
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Paw is paid. Insomnia is freemium. Insomnia lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are api tools tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Insomnia scores higher: 84/100 vs 80/100.
Key Takeaways
Insomnia
- Higher score: 84/100 vs 80
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Paw
The Bottom Line
Insomnia (84/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Paw or Insomnia better?
Insomnia scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Paw is paid and Insomnia is freemium.
What are Paw and Insomnia used for?
Paw: Advanced API client for Mac. Insomnia: API client for REST and GraphQL.
What does Paw cost vs Insomnia?
Paw is a paid tool. Insomnia is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.