Meet Aspen: Speedier & Smarter API Testing, Powered by AI
Tags: api, testing, news, development
Published: 2024-01-25 15:12:32

_This article originally appeared on [Treblle blog](https://blog.treblle.com/meet-aspen-api-testing-tool/) and has been republished here with permission._

Aspen is a free-to-use, no login required API testing app for macOS. It is specifically made to meet the needs of testing REST APIs, and with the help of AI, instantly helps with integrations by generating data models, OAS and integration code.

Imagine a world where harnessing the power of APIs is as easy as riding a bike - no fancy gears, just pedal and go! That's what we've heard from you about the current state of API clients: they're like overloaded backpacks, too heavy and complex. Well, at Treblle, we're cutting the weight and bringing back the joy of a simple ride!

## The Problem: When Tools Become Mazes
But with great popularity comes great challenges. These once-simple tools began to resemble a maze, filled with extra twists and turns aimed more at making money than helping you reach your destination. Users started feeling like they were carrying a toolbox so heavy that they could hardly lift it.

We wanted to see if we can simplify those mazes, and as it turned out, we didn’t, we burned down the maze and made a simple, easy-to-understand road for a developer who is testing APIs to follow.

## Why Aspen
Before we dive deeper into what Aspen can do, first, some background on the name.

A year ago, Vedran, founder and the main guy behind Aspen, decided to surprise his wife, Tea, with a dog. Yup, that's how this story starts🐾 Tea (our head of Apps) always wanted a Maltese, so Vedran got one, and he has been the office mascot ever since.


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/6oknikq0jn9cnhgt1t9v.png)


The dog turned out to be the whitest dog you’ve ever seen. So they called him Aspen, just like the popular ski place in Colorado, US ⛷. When we started thinking about building an API-testing product, we kept referring to it as a developer's best friend. We all collectively immediately thought of Aspen, and our designer drew up a digital version of him. When we saw the icon she made, we were instantly sure about the name and the rest is history.

## The Journey Begins: Embracing API Simplicity

Once upon a time, in the land of software development, making a simple API request was like trying to solve a puzzle in the dark. Tools like Postman and Insomnia were the torches that lit the way, making APIs accessible not just to coding wizards but to anyone with a decent map (or in this case, an API document). 

These magical tools turned API interactions from a feared dragon into a friendly companion. Need to send a request? Just know where you're sending it (the URL), how to get in (authentication), and what to bring (parameters). It was like having a secret key to unlock treasures of data and functionality. 

## 🚀 APIs: From Sidekicks to Superheroes

APIs have evolved from being mere sidekicks in software tales to becoming the superheroes of the development world. They are now the building blocks of our digital universe, enabling faster development, seamless integrations, and even becoming products in their own right. They're like the friendly robots in sci-fi movies, making our lives easier and more connected.

As more and more developers embraced these tools, APIs became as common as smartphones. They're not just for tech gurus anymore; they're for everyone who wants to work smarter, not harder. APIs have even started powering the AI revolution, like the brains behind your favorite smart devices.

## 🌟 Treblle's Revelation: Back to Basics

At Treblle, we felt your pain because it was ours too. We dreamt of a world where making an API request was as easy as sending a text message - no confusing sign-ups, no endless clicking, just straight to the point.

###So, what can Aspen actually do?
Imagine a lightning-fast cheetah that respects your privacy like a trusted friend. Except it’s not a cheetah, it’s a robot Maltese dog. [Aspen](https://getaspen.io/), powered by our [AI Specialist, Alfred](https://www.treblle.com/product/api-assistant), is all about speed, simplicity, and not snooping around in your data.

### 🎥 Performance Showdown: Aspen vs. The World


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/pi43brfbz5teiedqlsq6.png)

Watch as Aspen races against other clients and wins by a mile, all while barely breaking a sweat in terms of memory use! Aspen is a native app for Apple Silicon devices built in SwiftUI. It consumes ten times less memory and CPU than any other API testing app.


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ynqtwhgegizc6ita7dy2.png)

### 🔒 Privacy: Our Promise, Your Peace of Mind

Your data is yours alone. We don’t peek into it or store it. Privacy is not an issue; it's a guarantee. Aspen doesn't require an account to get started, nor does it send any data to our servers.

You can use Aspen completely anonymously without worrying about someone getting access to your API data. All data, including request history, is stored locally on your Mac.


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/jwuxecz57auyukrgzf98.png)

### 🤖 Alfred: Your Personal API Wizard

With Alfred's help, you can transform API responses into whatever you need - data models, code, you name it - without any fuss. It's like having a genie who grants your API wishes.

Once you make an HTTP request, Aspen can generate data models, integration code, and more in any programming language based on that request. This allows you to seamlessly move from testing APIs to integrating them in seconds.


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/a7ks42tpklj1m976501b.png)

## 🌈 Looking Ahead: Sharing, Seeing, and Simplifying

APIs are all about sharing, not just data but possibilities. That's why we're adding features to share requests with your team, visualize data in ways that make sense to you, and even simplify authentication for [Treblle platform](https://www.treblle.com/) users.

### 📣 Your Turn to Explore Aspen

We invite you to take Aspen for a spin. Play with it, push its buttons, and let us know what you think. After all, the best adventures are those shared with friends! Ready to join the Aspen adventure? Let's make API interactions fun, fast, and fabulous again! 🌟💻