Collect Video Testimonials That Build Trust
Bruno
Open-source, Git-integrated API client that stores collections entirely as plain text files on your local filesystem for maximum privacy.
About Bruno
Bruno is a rapidly growing open-source API client that actively challenges the cloud-syncing and account-mandatory models of traditional API testing tools. Conceived as a fast, lightweight alternative, Bruno allows developers to test APIs directly from their desktop while retaining complete ownership of their data.
Instead of utilizing proprietary databases or forced cloud synchronization, Bruno stores API collections directly on the local filesystem using a plain text markup language called Bru. This architectural decision enables engineering teams to collaborate on API collections using standard Git workflows, ensuring API tests are versioned exactly like source code.
Key Features
- Filesystem Storage: Saves API requests, environments, and tests locally as lightweight, readable plain text files.
- Git Native Collaboration: Seamlessly integrates with GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket by treating API collections as standard code repositories.
- No Cloud Lock-In: Completely offline-first application; no account creation, cloud sync, or internet connection required to function.
- Bru Markup Language: Utilizes a highly readable, specialized markup language tailored specifically for storing API request data.
- Scripting Support: Write pre-request scripts and post-response assertions using standard JavaScript.
- Bruno CLI: Run API collections and automated tests directly from the command line for CI/CD pipeline integration.
Pricing
-
Open Source: $0 Free core API client with HTTP, REST, GraphQL, and gRPC support, along with basic local Git integration.
-
Pro: $6/user/month (billed annually) Adds advanced GitUI features (push, pull, branch creation), unlimited OpenAPI syncs, and dedicated email/chat support.
-
Ultimate: $11/user/month (billed annually) Enterprise features including SSO, SCIM, data-driven testing, report generation, and custom legal/vendor agreements.
Use Cases
- Local API development and debugging
- Git-based API collection sharing
- Automated API testing via CI/CD
- Offline-first development environments
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- True Git-native workflow prevents merge conflicts associated with JSON collections
- Completely private, offline-first execution with zero cloud lock-in
- One-time payment model for premium features rather than recurring SaaS subscriptions
Cons:
- Younger ecosystem with a smaller plugin and community marketplace
- Lacks native graphical cloud syncing for non-technical stakeholders who do not use Git
Integrations
Git, GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, NPM
FAQ
Do I need an account to use Bruno?
No. Bruno's core application is offline-first. You do not need to create an account, log in, or connect to the internet to use the open-source client.
How does Bruno store API collections?
Unlike tools that store data in opaque JSON blobs or proprietary cloud databases, Bruno saves your collections directly to your local filesystem using a plain text markup language called Bru.
How do teams collaborate using Bruno?
Because Bruno stores data as plain text files in a local folder, teams can collaborate by simply committing that folder to their existing Git repository (e.g., GitHub, GitLab) alongside their application code.
Is Bruno free for commercial use?
Yes, the core open-source version of Bruno is completely free for commercial use. Advanced collaboration and enterprise management features require a paid subscription.
Can I migrate from Postman to Bruno?
Yes, Bruno provides built-in tools to import your existing Postman collections and environments directly into its local filesystem format.
Does Bruno support automated testing?
Yes, you can write assertions using standard scripting, and execute entire API test suites headlessly in your CI/CD pipelines using the Bruno CLI. Features like data-driven testing and report generation are available in the Ultimate tier.
Last edited
October 27, 2026 at 10:26 AM by Venkatraman Chandrasekaran
Similar to Bruno
