Postman vs Swagger Inspector: What are the differences?

Introduction

Postman and Swagger Inspector are two popular tools for testing and documenting APIs. While both tools serve a similar purpose, there are several key differences between them that set them apart in terms of features, user experience, and integrations.

1. User Interface: The user interface of Postman is designed to be more intuitive and user-friendly compared to Swagger Inspector. Postman provides a visually appealing interface that allows users to easily create and organize API requests, set up test scripts, and view responses. Swagger Inspector, on the other hand, has a simpler interface that may be less overwhelming for new users but lacks some of the advanced features and customization options available in Postman.

2. Testing Capabilities: Postman offers a wide range of testing capabilities, including the ability to write custom test scripts using JavaScript, perform automated testing using Newman or the built-in collection runner, and create and manage test suites. Swagger Inspector, on the other hand, has more limited testing capabilities, focusing primarily on providing a quick way to test APIs without the ability to write custom test scripts or perform automated testing.

3. API Documentation: Postman allows users to create comprehensive API documentation by adding detailed descriptions, examples, and explanations to each API request, which can be easily shared with others. Swagger Inspector, on the other hand, is primarily focused on generating API documentation using the Swagger/OpenAPI specification. While it offers some documentation features, such as interactive documentation and code generation, it may not offer the same level of customization and flexibility as Postman.

4. Integrations: Postman offers a wide range of integrations with other tools and services, making it easier to incorporate API testing and documentation into existing workflows. It provides seamless integrations with popular development tools, version control systems, and collaboration platforms. Swagger Inspector, on the other hand, has more limited integrations and may not offer the same level of flexibility in terms of integrating with other tools and services.

5. Collaboration Features: Postman provides robust collaboration features, allowing teams to share and collaborate on API collections, test scripts, and documentation. It offers features such as shared workspaces, version control, and team libraries. Swagger Inspector, on the other hand, is more focused on providing a quick and easy way to test APIs individually and may not offer the same level of collaboration features as Postman.

6. Pricing and Accessibility: Postman offers both free and paid versions, with the paid version providing additional features and capabilities. It also offers a cloud-based platform, making it accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. Swagger Inspector, on the other hand, offers a free version with some limitations and a premium version with additional features. It does not offer a cloud-based platform and may require installation on local machines.

In summary, while both Postman and Swagger Inspector are popular tools for API testing and documentation, Postman offers a more feature-rich and customizable experience with a focus on user-friendly interface, extensive testing capabilities, comprehensive API documentation, wide range of integrations, robust collaboration features, and flexible pricing options. Swagger Inspector, on the other hand, provides a simpler and more streamlined approach to API testing, documentation, and visualization but may lack some of the advanced features and flexibility offered by Postman.