Yaak is an open source API client that keeps all request data, secrets, and environments on your local machine, giving developers a Postman-style interface without cloud sync or account requirements.
The Problem
API clients like Postman have become indispensable for developers, but storing credentials and request collections in a vendor cloud creates friction. Teams sharing sensitive API keys through a cloud-synced workspace, hitting subscription paywalls for basic collaboration features, or needing an internet connection just to send a request have run into the limits of SaaS-based tooling.
How Yaak Solves It
Yaak runs entirely offline. Request collections are stored as local files, making them Git-committable alongside the code they test. Secrets stay on disk in an encrypted local vault. The interface supports HTTP, GraphQL, WebSockets, Server-Sent Events, and gRPC through a single tabbed workspace. MIT licensed; download and run without creating an account.
Key Features
- Full offline operation: send requests, manage environments, and inspect responses with no internet connection required
- Git-friendly storage: collections are written to local files you can version-control alongside your codebase
- Secrets encryption: API keys and tokens are encrypted at rest in a local vault, not uploaded to any server
- Multi-protocol support: HTTP, GraphQL, WebSockets, SSE, and gRPC in one application
- Environment variables: switch between dev, staging, and production credentials without editing requests
- MIT licensed with binaries for Mac, Windows, and Linux
Who It's For
Yaak is best for backend and API developers who want a full-featured request client without cloud sync, account registration, or per-seat pricing. It suits teams that version-control their API collections in Git and need a lightweight, offline-capable tool for local development.
Compared to Postman
Unlike Postman, Yaak stores all collections and secrets locally with no cloud account required. Postman has a richer ecosystem of integrations and team collaboration features; Yaak trades those for full data ownership, offline reliability, and an MIT license that places no restrictions on commercial use.
