BEST Postman Alternative: Hoppscotch 🛸 - open source, self hosted API Development Ecosystem
Tags: opensource, postmanalternative, api, selfhost
Published: 2023-07-20 07:09:29

Over the past week, we've observed a growing trend of people seeking alternatives to Postman, as they yearn for a more suitable option.
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Look no further for a **Postman alternative** because at [**Hoppscotch**](https://hoppscotch.io/) 🛸, we are crafting an API development ecosystem with a core focus on delivering the finest developer experience. In this blog, we will delve into the features of Hoppscotch and elucidate how it can elevate your API-building and testing experience.


## **Open source** 👥
​Hoppscotch's open-source nature has helped to keep the contributors, users, and developers in sync. The transparency and trust built over time have led to swiftly addressing the issues, conducting open discussions on feature requests, and delivering a stable and reliable platform. 

[![hoppscotch is open-source](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/gxjktqzex5t3mlj2hdm9.png)](https://github.com/hoppscotch/hoppscotch)

## **Collections** 📂 
As the name suggests, a collection is an organized group of API requests. With Hoppscotch, you can create any number of collections and organize the saved requests inside folders for better navigation.

![collections with hoppscotch](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/q29zd0j2ezui1mu5lw2x.png)

## **Multi-Protocol Support** ➕
Execute [REST API](https://docs.hoppscotch.io/documentation/getting-started/rest/creating-a-request) requests, [GraphQL queries](https://docs.hoppscotch.io/documentation/getting-started/graphql/creating-a-query) and work with [Real-time protocols](https://docs.hoppscotch.io/documentation/getting-started/realtime/websocket) like Web Socket, Socket.IO, SSE, and MQTT. 


![multi-protocol support in hoppscotch](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/crznuyqle9w56ww5bw3v.png)

## **Environments** ⚙️
An environment is a reusable set of key-value pairs that can be utilized in creating requests and writing scripts. It also helps to manage the shared data among the team members in a workspace. While accessing the environment variables in Request URL Bar, Hoppscotch offers an edit property to make changes to the variables then and there if needed.

![environment configuration with hoppscotch](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/4alny0kvxukpd0lbu2kq.png)

## **Testing and Scripting Support** 🛠
Create test cases and perform test runs on responses you receive after sending requests. Hoppscotch provides JavaScript APIs that can be used in writing [pre-request scripts](https://docs.hoppscotch.io/documentation/features/scripts) and building [tests](https://docs.hoppscotch.io/documentation/features/rest-api-testing). Use snippets present at side bar for different fields to know more about them.

![Test APIs with hoppscotch](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/1y96hvsekmtrm99zc5o5.png)

## **History** 🕜
Keep track of your API requests and responses with Hoppscotch. As soon as you hit send to initiate a request, the call is recorded by hoppscotch and saved under History. To check out the past requests click on History icon and access when needed. 

![view your API request history in hoppscotch](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/5nntaibt3vj8nu5h6rfg.png)

## **Workspace Collaboration** 🤝
Use Hoppscotch Workspace to create an instant API development environment with your team members or invite collaborators outside your organization to contribute to it. Manage the permissions and assign suitable roles as per need.
  
![create workspaces in Hoppscotch](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/mzmasbhxwj6esf8oqrfo.png)

## **Hoppscotch CLI** 💻
Set up Hoppscotch CLI and configure your APIs by exporting the collections and environments. Follow a set of commands to get test summary of the API.

![cli support at hoppscotch](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/fz9a9qif8i2svqbzzrtc.png)



## **Self-Host Support** 🚀
To attain complete control of your API development workflow try Hoppscotch's self-host version. [Configure and set up Hoppscotch on your local machine](https://docs.hoppscotch.io/documentation/self-host/getting-started) and get access to the admin dashboard where you can manage teams and users at your workspace.

![self-host your hoppscotch instance](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/bgwuh94dd8byewfva99e.png)



And that's a wrap. Explore [Hoppscotch](https://github.com/hoppscotch/hoppscotch) 🛸 and stay tuned with releases to keep track of what's cooking and new at our platform.

Join our vibrant community in [Discord](https://hoppscotch.io/discord). Help us understand how Hoppscotch has assisted you and share any suggestions you may have for us to work upon by [filling the form](https://forms.gle/8x3UZsYKhwA1ovnG9).