apikumo vs Insomnia
Insomnia is a local-first, open-source client. apikumo is a hosted workspace that publishes what you test.
Insomnia (by Kong) is an Apache-2.0 open-source desktop client with local, Git, and cloud storage, and a broad protocol list including gRPC and SSE. apikumo is browser-based and hosted: nothing to install, and the collection you test becomes a docs site, a schema-based mock server, and a read-only MCP endpoint. Pick Insomnia for local-first work and protocol breadth; pick apikumo when publishing is part of the job.
Publishing is built in
Publish a collection to its own subdomain with search, live try-it, a changelog, and an AI assistant for readers.
Your API as an MCP server
Every published collection is a read-only MCP server. Insomnia’s MCP support is a client, for calling other MCP servers.
Nothing to install
apikumo runs in the browser and syncs everywhere you sign in. Insomnia is a desktop app for Mac, Windows, and Linux, with local, Git, and cloud storage.
Feature comparison
| Feature | apikumo | Insomnia |
|---|---|---|
| API-client workspace | ||
| Import Insomnia exports | v4 JSON | |
| Open source | Apache-2.0 | |
| Local-only / offline storage | Cloud sync | Scratch Pad, Local Vault, Git Sync |
| Collection runner / test suites | Unlimited runs | |
| Mock servers | Schema-based | 1,000 req/mo on Free |
| CLI for CI | Inso CLI | |
| Hosted docs site | Not listed on pricing page | |
| MCP | Server per published collection | MCP client |
| Live protocols | HTTP (incl. GraphQL bodies) | REST, GraphQL, WebSockets, SSE, gRPC |
| Pricing | Free: up to 3 members · Team $8/seat/mo | Free: Git Sync for 3 users · Pro $12/user/mo3 |
- 1Insomnia source, license, and desktop platforms: github.com/Kong/insomnia (Apache-2.0).
- 2Insomnia storage: Scratch Pad works without logging in and keeps data local; Local Vault and Git Sync need a login (developer.konghq.com/insomnia/storage).
- 3Insomnia pricing: Essentials (Free), Pro $12/user/month, Enterprise $45/user/month; Free includes Git Sync projects for up to 3 users (insomnia.rest/pricing).
Comparison verified Sep 2026 · competitor features and pricing change
Which one should you pick?
Pick apikumo if…
- You want to publish docs, mocks, and an MCP endpoint from the collection you test, with no extra tooling.
- Your team works in the browser and does not want to install or update a desktop app.
- You want readers of your docs to get an AI assistant grounded in your endpoints.
Pick Insomnia if…
- You need to work offline, or keep request data local and out of any cloud.
- You want an open-source client you can audit and self-build.
- You test gRPC, SSE, or live WebSocket traffic.
- Your workflow is Git-first, with collections versioned next to your code.
Moving from Insomnia
- 1Export your collection from Insomnia. apikumo’s importer reads Insomnia v4 JSON exports; if your export is in another format, import your OpenAPI spec instead.
- 2Import it into an apikumo workspace — requests, folders, and environments come across.
- 3Send a handful of requests to confirm auth and variables resolve.
- 4Turn your regression checks into a test suite and run it in CI with the apikumo CLI.
- 5Publish the collection for a docs site, mocks, and a read-only MCP endpoint.
Where apikumo falls short
- apikumo runs in the browser and needs a sign-in; there is no offline or local-only mode, and no desktop app yet.
- The platform is not open source.
- WebSocket support is documentation only today: you can describe a socket’s handshake URL, params, headers, and auth, but not open a live connection and exchange messages.
- No gRPC, MQTT, or Socket.IO clients.
Learn more
Hosted API documentation →
Publish a collection as a docs site with search, try-it, and an AI assistant.
MCP endpoint generator →
Every published collection doubles as a read-only MCP server for AI agents.
Online API client →
Collections, environments, variables, and scripts, with nothing to install.
Import from Postman →
Bring Collection v2.1 exports over with folders, variables, and auth intact.
Publish what you already test
Import your Insomnia collection, then ship docs, mocks, and an MCP endpoint from it.
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