As API testing becomes more central to modern software development, the tools we use to test, automate, and debug APIs can make a big difference. For years, Postman has been the go-to API client for developers and testers alike. But now, Bruno, a relatively new open-source API client, is making waves in the community.
Let’s break down how Bruno compares to Postman and why you might consider switching or using both depending on your use case.
✨ What is Bruno?
Bruno is an open-source, Git-friendly API client built for developers and testers who prefer simplicity, speed, and local-first development. It stores your API collections as plain text in your repo, making it easy to version, review, and collaborate on API definitions.
🌟 What is Postman?
Postman is a full-fledged API platform that offers everything from API testing, documentation, and automation to mock servers and monitoring. It comes with a polished UI, robust integration, and support for collaboration across teams.
🧵 Key Differences
| Feature | Bruno | Postman |
| Platform | Desktop app | Web & desktop app |
| Open Source | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (Commercial SaaS) |
| Data Storage | Local file-based (YAML/JSON) | Cloud or local workspace |
| Git Friendly | ✅ Excellent | ❌ Limited |
| Performance | 🚀 Very fast, lightweight | 🐢 Can be heavy at times |
| Team Collaboration | Git-based workflows | Cloud collaboration via Postman |
| Automation / CI/CD | Git + CLI workflows | Newman + Postman cloud integrations |
| Mock Servers / Docs | ❌ Not available yet | ✅ Built-in |
| Pricing | Free | Freemium (limits in free tier) |
🔍 Use Case Scenarios
- Use Bruno if:
- You prefer Git-based workflows.
- You want to keep API test cases under version control.
- You work offline or locally most of the time.
- You prioritize speed and minimalism.
- Use Postman if:
- You need advanced API management features (mocking, monitoring).
- You work in a team and need built-in cloud collaboration.
- You want a full API lifecycle platform with UI-rich interactions.
🧪 From a QA Perspective
For testers who:
- Use Git for source control and automation,
- Need to integrate API tests into CI/CD,
- Prefer lightweight tools,
Bruno is a strong, developer-friendly alternative.
However, for larger QA teams relying on:
- Built-in environments,
- Global variables,
- Mock servers and monitors,
Postman still offers more features out of the box.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Bruno isn’t here to kill Postman—it’s here to offer freedom and control. In fact, many testers may find a hybrid approach useful: use Postman for collaboration-heavy work and Bruno for Git-based workflows and automation.
If you’re tired of syncing Postman collections manually or just want a snappy alternative, give Bruno a spin.