Our verdict: Postman is the best-known tool for exploring and testing APIs, and the free plan is enough for solo work. Collections, environments and test scripts make repeated requests painless. Sharing with a team needs a paid plan, and the app pushes you toward a cloud account.
About Postman
Postman lets you build HTTP requests with headers, bodies and authentication, send them and inspect the response. It also supports GraphQL, gRPC, WebSocket and MQTT. Requests are saved in collections, values such as tokens and URLs live in environments, and JavaScript test scripts can check responses automatically.
The Free plan is for one user and includes the API client, specs and mock servers, the Collection Runner, native Git support, up to five integrations and a small allowance of AI credits. Collaboration in shared workspaces requires the Team plan, and the Solo plan adds higher limits and automation for individuals.
What it does well
- Request builder. Compose requests with methods, headers, parameters, bodies and auth types.
- Collections. Organize requests into folders and run them in sequence with the Collection Runner.
- Environments and variables. Switch between local, staging and production URLs and tokens.
- Test scripts. Check status codes and response data with JavaScript after each request.
- Mock servers. Simulate an API from examples before the real back end exists.
Who it is for
Good fit
Back-end and front-end developers and testers who work with REST, GraphQL or gRPC APIs on their own.
Look elsewhere
Teams that want to share collections without paying, and people who prefer a fully offline tool with no account.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Supports HTTP, GraphQL, gRPC, WebSocket and MQTT
- Collections, environments and test scripts
- Mock servers on the free plan
- Apps for Windows, macOS, Linux and the web
Cons
- Free plan is limited to a single user
- Most features require signing in to a cloud account
- AI credits and integrations are capped on the free plan
How to install Postman
The download is the 64-bit Windows installer, which installs per user without asking questions. Sign in with a free Postman account to save and sync collections; without signing in you only get a lightweight API client. Store secrets such as API keys in environment variables marked secret rather than in request bodies.
Questions about Postman
Is Postman free?
Yes. The Free plan costs nothing and covers solo API work. Team collaboration and higher limits require paid plans.
Can I use Postman without an account?
Only in a limited way. Without signing in you get a lightweight API client; saving collections and workspaces requires a free account.
Does Postman work with GraphQL and gRPC?
Yes. Besides HTTP it supports GraphQL, gRPC, WebSocket and MQTT requests.
