How to Fix Postman Collection Limits for Free
Tags: postman, api, developer, webdev
Published: 2023-05-11 10:16:58

If you're an avid user of Postman for API testing, you may have encountered a frustrating issue where you hit the limit for running collections. Once you've reached the limit, you'll be prompted with a message that says "You have exhausted all the runs. To keep running collections, create an account..." This can be a real hindrance to your workflow, especially if you're working on a large project or team. 

Fortunately, there are some workarounds that you can use to bypass this limitation and keep running your collections smoothly. In this article, we'll explore some of the best methods for overcoming Postman's collection limit and [continuing your API testing](https://apidog.com/blog/test-api-with-postman/) without any interruptions.

## What is a Postman Collection

A Postman Collection is a group of requests that can be saved and shared with other users. It allows developers to organize, document, and automate their API testing workflows in a single location. In a Postman Collection, you can include requests, tests, and scripts, making it easy to share API workflows with team members or collaborators. 

![postman](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/em0rjjhkk811pzxex7v5.png)
The Postman Collection also allows for creating custom variables, which can be used to parameterize requests and responses, enabling developers to create dynamic API tests. By using a Postman Collection, developers can streamline their API testing processes and improve their overall efficiency.

## Postman Collection Limitation

The Postman Collection Run limit refers to the number of times a collection can be executed within a given time period. This limit is imposed to prevent abuse of the Postman API and to ensure that the service remains stable for all users.

To better align with the value Postman’s test automation offers for professional testers and quality engineers, Postman made the following changes effective February 15, 2023, for free customers, and effective March 15, 2023, for new paid plan customers. Existing paid plan customers saw these limits effective *upon plan renewal* after March 15, 2023 (except Enterprise users, who have unlimited runs per month):

> - **Local Collection Runner:** Runs will be available with Free and Basic plans at 25 runs per month, Professional plan at 250 runs per month, and Enterprise plan at unlimited runs per month.

It's important to note that the Collection Run limit applies to all collections within an account and not just individual collections. Therefore, users with multiple collections that need frequent running may need to upgrade to a higher Postman plan to avoid hitting the Collection Run limit.

## How to Fix Postman Collection Runner Restrictions? 

Many loyal users are expressing frustration with Postman's recent changes to its pricing plan, specifically in regard to the limit on local runs. Paying customers on the basic plan now has the same number of runs as the free tier, and the limit of 25 on the basic plan is seen as nonsensical by many. Some are calling for Postman to reconsider the changes, while others are exploring [Postman alternative tools](https://apidog.com/blog/top-postman-alternative-open-source/) like Apidog that offer more flexibility without any restrictions on the number of runs.


Apidog is [a powerful testing tool](https://apidog.com/blog/best-automation-testing-tools/) that overcomes the Collection Run limit in Postman. It offers a robust testing framework and automation features, real-time feedback, and comprehensive test reports, as well as easy integration with other testing tools. Apidog enables developers to efficiently create, test, and manage APIs without restrictions, resulting in a more productive development process.

### Method 1. Creating Your Collection with Apidog (Free & Best)

Unlike Postman, [Apidog ](http://apidog.com)doesn't impose any limits on the number of times a collection can be run within a given time period. This means that developers can execute their collections as frequently as they need without any constraints.

A collection is a group of related requests that can be organized and executed together. There is a detailed guide to creating an API request.

1. Open the Apidog and log in. If you haven't downloaded it yet, just click [here](https://apidog.com/?utm_source=dev_to&utm_medium=HaewonKim540&utm_content=how_to_fix_postman_collection_limits_for_free).

2. Enter your project and click "New Request" to create a new request or Move the mouse to the left directory, and click the `+` button next to the search box on the left, and select `New Request`.
![add new request](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/8bcq98w300h53zb41ua6.png)
3. Enter the API URL and parameters to quickly request the API.

![add URL](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/hisfu2ceutxvik8a7v4f.png)
Note:

If the entered URL does not start with `http://` or `https://` the prefix URL in the current environment will be automatically added when the request is actually sent.

4. After debugging, the request can be saved as a New Request or API document.
![save as API](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/od9xxvqu8bvvdtof9g96.png)

5. Saved `New Request` can be managed in the left directory.

![request management](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/p9sarxilubse6nx95l1u.png)
6. `New Request` supports code generation. For details, please refer to Code Generation.
![code generation](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/cgx15ogs57jad7zu8udl.jpg)

## Conclusion

In conclusion, Postman Collection Runner limitations can be a significant challenge for developers who require unrestricted access to test their APIs. Fortunately, there are several methods to overcome this obstacle. However, one of the most effective and user-friendly options is Apidog. 

With Apidog, developers can create, test, and manage APIs efficiently without any restrictions, streamlining their development process. Therefore, we highly recommend using [Apidog ](https://apidog.com/download/)to ensure the best testing experience and to overcome Postman Collection Runner limitations.