Bruno
Git-friendly API client with local collection storage. The developer's alternative to Postman for version-controlled API workflows.
Overview
Bruno is an open-source API client created in 2023 as a response to the trend of API tools moving to cloud-only storage. Unlike Postman or Insomnia which store collections in proprietary cloud services, Bruno stores API collections as plain text files (Bru format) directly in your Git repository. This makes API collections fully version-controlled, reviewable in pull requests, and portable across teams.
Bruno has gained rapid popularity among developers who want API testing to live alongside their code, not in a separate tool. It supports REST, GraphQL, and SOAP APIs with a clean, fast interface.
What it's used for
Bruno is ideal when:
- Git-native API workflows: Store API collections in version control alongside code.
- Privacy-first: No cloud syncing — all data stays local.
- Team collaboration via Git: Review API changes in PRs just like code changes.
- Fast, lightweight client: No bloat, no account required, no cloud dependencies.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Git-native collections — version controlled by default
- No cloud or account required
- Fast and lightweight
- Open source and actively developed
- Supports REST, GraphQL, and SOAP
Cons
- Newer tool — smaller community than Postman
- No cloud collaboration features (by design)
- Limited plugin ecosystem
- No built-in test runner for CI (CLI exists but is newer)
- Some advanced Postman features are missing
Platforms & Integrations
Bruno runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Collections are stored as local files in a custom Bru format.
Pricing
| Tier | Cost | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Open Source | Free | Full client, all features, community support |
| Bruno Pro | From $19/user (one-time) | Advanced features, collection generators, priority support |
NZ Context
Bruno is gaining popularity among NZ developers who value Git-native workflows. It is frequently discussed in NZ developer communities as the "Postman alternative for Git users." For NZ teams that want API collections in version control, Bruno is the best current option.
Alternatives
- Postman — More features and larger ecosystem, but cloud-dependent.
- Insomnia — Similar lightweight approach with local storage option.
- Hoppscotch — Web-based alternative with local storage support.