Bruno

Bruno is an open-source API client built for developers who want a fast, privacy-respecting alternative to cloud-based API platforms.

Its defining characteristic is that it is Git-native and local-first: API collections are stored as plain-text files using its open Bru markup language directly inside your repository, so requests can be version-controlled, branched and reviewed alongside application code with no cloud sync and no mandatory account.

Bruno keeps all data on your machine, which appeals to security-conscious teams and organizations with strict data-handling requirements.

It supports building and sending REST, GraphQL and gRPC requests, scripting and assertions for testing, environments and variables, and a collection runner for automated test flows, and it can run in CI through its command-line runner.

Because collections live in Git, teams reuse existing repository permissions and access controls rather than a separate platform. Use cases include everyday API testing during development, keeping API definitions in sync with code, and meeting privacy or compliance needs that rule out cloud tools.

Pros include true data locality and privacy, Git-friendly versioning of API tests, and a free open-source core trusted by large organizations. Cons are that it lacks the cloud collaboration and monitoring features of platforms like Postman, and built-in AI assistance is limited compared to AI-first competitors.

Bruno offers a free open-source app with paid options for advanced and enterprise features. Pricing changes often, so check the official site for current plans.

Bruno's core capabilities include Git-native collections as plain-text files, Local-first with no mandatory cloud sync, REST, GraphQL and gRPC support, Scripting, assertions and collection runner, Environments and variables and CLI runner for CI pipelines.

Git-native collections as plain-text files is built in, Local-first with no mandatory cloud sync is built in, REST, GraphQL and gRPC support is built in, Scripting, assertions and collection runner is built in, so you get a rounded toolkit rather than a single trick.

Each feature is designed to take the manual effort out of the task and help you reach a usable result faster, which is what makes Bruno worth a place on your shortlist.

On the plus side, users consistently highlight True data locality and privacy, Git-friendly versioning of API tests and Free open-source core as the reasons they keep using Bruno.

It isn't perfect, though — Lacks built-in cloud collaboration and monitoring and Limited AI assistance versus AI-first tools are the trade-offs people most often mention, so weigh those against your own priorities before you commit.

As with any AI tool, the output still benefits from a quick human review, but Bruno gets you most of the way there with far less effort.

Bruno runs on a freemium pricing model, so you can start for free and only pay once you outgrow the free tier — handy for testing it on a real task before spending anything.

AI-tool pricing changes often, so always check the current plans, seats and add-ons on the official site for the latest details before you buy. Who is Bruno for? It's best suited for git-native, local-first open-source api client.

Whether you're a beginner trying this kind of AI tool for the first time or a professional who'll use it every day, it's a credible option to consider.

If you're still deciding, compare Bruno against the alternatives and the head-to-head comparisons linked below — looking at features, pricing and real user ratings side by side is the fastest way to find the right fit for your workflow and budget.