Postman / Newman
The most widely used API client in NZ teams. Build collections, write test scripts, and run them in CI with Newman.
Overview
Postman, launched in 2012, is the dominant API platform for building, testing, and documenting APIs. With over 20 million users worldwide, it is the default tool for API development in most software teams. Postman Collections allow teams to organise requests into folders, add pre-request scripts, write test assertions in JavaScript, and share everything via workspaces.
Newman is Postman's command-line collection runner, enabling CI/CD integration. A Postman collection exported as JSON can be executed by Newman in any pipeline, making it trivial to automate API regression tests.
What it's used for
Postman is essential for:
- API development and debugging: Send requests, inspect responses, and troubleshoot endpoints during development.
- Automated API regression: Write tests in Postman, then run them in CI via Newman on every commit.
- API documentation: Generate interactive documentation from collections that stays in sync with the API.
- Mock servers: Create mock APIs for frontend teams to work against before the backend is ready.
- Contract testing: Validate that API responses match expected schemas.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Intuitive GUI that every developer already knows
- Collections are portable and version-controllable
- Newman enables headless CI execution
- Massive ecosystem: integrations with Jenkins, GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps
- Free tier is generous for small teams
Cons
- Not a code-based tool — tests live in Postman, not in your repo
- Collaboration friction: syncing collections across teams requires discipline
- Limited scripting power compared to REST Assured or code-based frameworks
- Performance testing is basic compared to k6 or JMeter
- Enterprise pricing escalates quickly for large teams
Platforms & Integrations
Postman runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux as a desktop app. It also has a web version. Newman runs anywhere Node.js runs.
Pricing
| Tier | Cost | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | 3 users, unlimited collections, basic features |
| Basic | $12/user/mo | Unlimited users, advanced collaboration, 10,000 API calls/mo |
| Professional | $29/user/mo | Private workspaces, IP whitelisting, 100,000 API calls/mo |
| Enterprise | Custom | SSO, audit logs, dedicated support, on-premise option |
NZ Context
Postman is ubiquitous in NZ software teams. Every junior tester and developer is expected to know how to send requests and write basic assertions. NZ government APIs (like data.govt.nz) often provide Postman collections as documentation. For NZ QA roles, "Postman experience" is frequently listed as a baseline requirement.
Alternatives
- Insomnia — Lighter alternative with strong GraphQL support and local storage.
- REST Assured — Code-based Java DSL for teams that want API tests in their codebase.
- Hoppscotch — Open-source, web-based alternative. Free and lightweight.