Why We Switched to the Offline-Focused Bruno
Every API developer needs a reliable client for testing and interacting with the API - ideally free, able to store and share endpoint collections easily with a team, fast, and secure. Postman has been the team's go-to tool for years, but they are now considering Bruno, part of a general trend in the PHP community toward local-first, Git-native developer tools.
Comparing Postman to Bruno
| Aspect | Postman | Bruno |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Free plan limited to one user account | Fully-offline experience via shared .bru files; no restriction on number of developers |
| Version control | Handled in the cloud; requires being online (export/import via UI possible) | .bru files saved directly in the Git repository, versioned via Git like any other file |
| Feature scope | Complete platform for the API lifecycle (mocking, documentation, CI/CD integration) | Focused mainly on interacting with the API, writing simple tests, and building local collections |
| Performance | Needs to regularly sync with the cloud and store advanced features in RAM, which can introduce delays | Uses much less RAM and is generally faster |
| Security | Offers Single Sign-On (SSO) and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) | Local files never leave the dev environment, arguably more secure |
| Collection sharing | Limited sharing for multi-member dev teams | Can share via Git, .zip file, or a single .yaml file; Git is the preferred option |
Comparison Conclusion
Postman is currently a better fit for larger teams willing to allocate a budget for a more feature-rich platform. Bruno stores collections in Git, so everything is offline, which the team considers more secure while also being generally faster.
Alternative API Clients
Bruno is only one of several alternatives to Postman:
- Hoppscotch - runs in the browser or as a PWA
- Insomnia - clear UI and large plugin ecosystem
- HTTPie - focuses on terminal-based workflows
- Thunder Client - built into Visual Studio Code
- Apidog - covers the whole API lifecycle
- Yaak - minimal and fast desktop client
Any of them can get the job done; the decision comes down to choosing a simple, reliable tool for the foreseeable future.
Bruno for Dotkernel
Bruno currently seems like the best match for the team, offering similar functionality to Postman plus the ability to work completely offline and save endpoint collections to their GitHub accounts. The offline feature weighed most heavily in the decision.
Tool Migration
Since most of the team has only worked with Postman, switching tools can affect efficiency at first, and tool migration can have an emotional impact as developers relearn a new tool's ins and outs. Given Bruno's straightforward approach and reasonable learning curve, the team expects this to be mitigated easily, and views the switch as an expansion of their expertise that avoids getting tied to one tool.
How Long Will Bruno Last?
The team expects Bruno may eventually restrict developers with paid plans too, just like Postman did, but plans to cross that bridge when they get to it. For now, Bruno is becoming their de facto API client, and the whole team is being encouraged to adopt it as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the team considering a switch from Postman to Bruno? +
They want a reliable API testing client that is free, stores and shares endpoint collections easily with the team, and is fast and secure. This reflects a broader trend in the PHP community toward local-first, Git-native developer tools.
What is the main architectural difference between Postman and Bruno? +
Postman's free plan now only allows one user account, while Bruno offers a fully-offline experience based on shared `.bru` files, so there is no restriction on the number of developers using them.
How does version control differ between the two tools? +
Postman stores collections and handles version control in the cloud, forcing developers to stay online (though collections can be exported/imported via its UI). Bruno's `.bru` files can be saved directly in a Git repository and are version-controlled through Git like any other project file.
How does performance compare between Postman and Bruno? +
Bruno is the clear winner on performance: it uses much less RAM and is generally faster. Postman needs to regularly synchronize with the cloud and store its advanced features in RAM, which can introduce delays.
Is Bruno more secure than Postman? +
Postman offers Single Sign-On (SSO) and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), which the team doesn't find useful for its workflow. Bruno's local files never leave the dev environment, which the article argues makes it more secure, especially for avoiding sharing client files with online tools.
What's the overall conclusion on Postman versus Bruno? +
Postman is currently a better fit for larger teams willing to allocate a budget for a more feature-rich platform. Bruno stores collections in Git so everything works offline, which the team considers more secure while also being generally faster, and it has become their de facto API client.