API testing (Application Programming Interface Testing) is a software testing type which focuses on the determination if the developed APIs meet expectations regarding the functionality, reliability, performance, and security of the application.
This article will provide the summary of the top API testing tools cover both open-source and commercial solutions that testing teams can select to suit their needs.
1. SoapUI
SoapUI is a headless functional testing tool dedicated to API testing, allowing users to test REST and SOAP APIs and Web Services easily.
Website: https://www.soapui.org/
Pricing: Free – $659/year
2. Postman
Postman is a good choice for API testing for those who don’t want to deal with coding in an integrated development environment using the same language as the developers.
Website: https://www.getpostman.com/
Pricing: Free – $21/user/month
3. Katalon Studio
Katalon Studio is a free automation test tool provide a common environment to create and execute UI functional, API/Web services and mobile testing.
Website: https://www.katalon.com
Pricing: Free
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4. Tricentis Tosca
Tricentis Tosca is a continuous testing platform for Agile and DevOps which supports many array of protocols: HTTP(s) JMS, AMQP, Rabbit MQ, TIBCO EMS, SOAP, REST, IBM MQ,NET TCP.
Website: https://www.tricentis.com/
Pricing: Contact Sales
5. Apigee
Apigee is a cross-cloud API testing tool, allowing users to measure and test API performance, supports and build API using other editors like Swagger.
Website: https://apigee.com/api-management/
Pricing: Free trial – $2,500/month
There is no one-size-fits-all tool
It hurts, but true!
We believe the list above nominates the best solution available out there if you are planning to adopt API automation testing. However, like most of the solutions in this industry, finding the ideal-one-tool to do it all is almost impossible.
Some may find the features of the commercial players (Postman, Tricentis Tosca,…) are sufficient but the costs of ownership will be the show-stop factor. Open source solutions (Rest-Assured, Karate DSL,…) are affordable but require skilled resources and effort to implement the right frameworks. Tools which seem to be a relative balance between cost and other factors (Katalon Studio, Postman) might have drawbacks to specific project types that need to be considered.
API testing established its trend in automation testing, and more tools will be developed to serve the growing demands of the software development teams. Finding the perfect tool is still tough, but we have the good news that you have way more choices than before. Carefully considering your requirements, pros and cons of each solution — try not too ambitious at the early stage and trialing the top 5 relevant candidates from the list above. With the POC for these solutions created, you will have a better knowledge of your project’s critical factors and fine-tune your shortlist. This approach gives you a good chance to identify the suitable tool for the current status and information of the next choice when your project is more mature.
I would love to hear your feedback and let me know if you have other tools to record for the others’ reference.
Source: Best SOAP & REST API Testing Tools
Top comments (4)
Interesting article! Your readers might be interested in reading user reviews for major API testing tools on IT Central Station to help with their research.
Users in our community interested in Postman also read reviews for Parasoft SOAtest. You can see a direct comparison between the two solutions here: itcentralstation.com/products/comp...
Nice summary on the tools. It's API decade. It's better if you can provide the tips and tricks to select a tool.
Informational content. Thanks for sharing.
Here, is the updated API testing tools
Very interesting and educational. Although there are other solutions, easy and useful, like Reqbin. You might mention them as well, to expand the choice.