Bruno

Bruno is a speedy, open source API client built as a privacy-centric competitor for API tools such as Postman and Insomnia. As a community-built tool, Bruno aims to disrupt the cloud-based world of API tools by employing a "local first" or "offline only" architecture.

While typical API clients rely on cloud-based servers owned by the provider to save their API collections, all collections within Bruno are saved locally on your machine using a basic text file format referred to as Bru. Your collections in Bruno are merely folders with .bru files that can be tracked using Git.

Bruno works completely offline—no registration, no syncing to the cloud, and zero telemetry. Core functionality is available under the MIT license and is free, whereas premium versions offer collaboration options such as personal workspaces, user groups, and advanced integrations.

Bruno works with REST, GraphQL, and WebSockets. Features include environment variables, pre/post-request scripts written in JavaScript, collection runner, and Git integration. The UK Government's DEFRA used Bruno to document their API tests . Also, Ellucian uses Bruno to provide Ethos API Integration examples.

Key Features

Local-First Storage: Collections are saved as plain text files (.bru) in folders on your computer. You don't have to worry about being locked into the cloud, and you own all of your data. 

Git-Native Collaboration: Share collections, review changes through pull requests, and keep a single source of truth with Git or any other version control system. 

Works completely offline; no internet connection needed. No need to make an account. No syncing with the cloud. It only works on your computer. 

Open Source (MIT License): The core application is open source, which means that people can change it, host it themselves, and add to it. 

Multi-Protocol Support: Works with REST APIs, GraphQL (with schema introspection), and WebSocket connections. 

Environment Variables: Use variables (like {{baseUrl}}/users) to make and switch between development, staging, and production environments.

Scripting Support: JavaScript scripts that run before and after a request. Use the req object to change requests and the bru object to get environment variables. 

Collection Runner: Run all of the collections in order for regression testing. Use command-line options to connect to CI/CD. 

Import and export: You can import from Postman collections, cURL commands, and OpenAPI specs. Share collections by exporting them. 

Clean, Minimalist UI: An easy-to-use interface that focuses on the most important features without extra stuff. Uses few resources and starts up quickly. 

Cross-Platform: You can get it for Windows, macOS, and Linux through native installers or package managers like Homebrew, Chocolatey, Snap, and Apt. 

Plugins and Extensibility: Community plugins add features like custom authentication and themes.