Hoppscotch is an open source Postman alternative that covers API testing for HTTP, GraphQL, WebSocket, MQTT, and Server-Sent Events in a fast, browser-based interface that requires no desktop install.
The Problem
Postman now requires an account to use most features, syncs request collections to Postman's servers by default, and has progressively moved team collaboration behind paid tiers. For developers who need a fast, private API testing tool or teams that cannot send request history to an external service, these constraints create friction on every workday.
How Hoppscotch Solves It
Hoppscotch opens in a browser, connects to any API, and saves collections locally or in a self-hosted workspace without requiring an account. Multi-protocol support covers the full range of API types a modern team encounters: REST, GraphQL, WebSocket, Socket.IO, MQTT, and SSE in one interface. The self-hosted edition runs with Docker and stores team workspaces, environments, and history on your own servers. MIT licensed.
Key Features
- REST API testing with headers, authentication, body editors, and response inspection
- GraphQL support with schema introspection, query builder, and subscription testing
- WebSocket, MQTT, Socket.IO, and SSE clients for real-time API testing
- Environment variables for switching between dev, staging, and production endpoints
- Team workspaces with role-based access for sharing collections and history
- Code generation for curl, JavaScript, Python, and 20+ other languages
Self-Hosting
The self-hosted edition runs with Docker Compose. It requires a Postgres database and stores team workspaces, environments, and request history on your own servers. Individual use runs entirely in the browser at hoppscotch.io with no account or installation required.
License
MIT for the web and desktop apps. The self-hosted enterprise backend requires a commercial license for team features (access control, audit logs); individual and open-source use is MIT and free.
Who It's For
Hoppscotch is best for developers who want a fast, open source API testing tool that runs in a browser without Postman's account requirements, and for teams that need to self-host their API request history for compliance or data privacy reasons.
Compared to Postman
Unlike Postman, Hoppscotch works without an account, keeps your request history local by default, and covers WebSocket and MQTT protocols alongside standard REST and GraphQL without requiring a paid plan.
