Overview

Bruno stores API collections as plain-text files in project repositories, where teams can version and review them through Git. Collections, environments, and secrets stay on the user’s device, and Bruno says it does not store user data in the cloud. That is a strong fit for repository-centered work, but less suited to teams that want API collections to live in shared cloud storage.

Local storage does not mean there is no outbound network call: Bruno makes an HTTPS license-validation call at startup, sending the IP address, license key, hashed device ID, and Bruno version. Bruno says project data is not sent. The company states it is SOC 2 Type I certified and independently audited against AICPA Trust Services Criteria; it also describes role-based access and multi-factor authentication for internal systems, code reviews, dependency audits, and an incident response plan.

Key features

Bruno supports REST, GraphQL, gRPC, and WebSocket APIs. Assertions, test scripts, collection automation, scheduled runs, and CI/CD integration make it useful for repeatable testing as well as request exploration. Multiple environments, variables, and pre-request and post-response JavaScript scripts help teams adapt collections across setups.

The same collection format connects Bruno’s desktop client, CLI, IDE extension, documentation generator, and mock server. Collections can become interactive HTML documentation with code samples and a live playground. Integrations with Git providers and secret managers, including Vault, Azure Key Vault, and AWS, support teams that already use those services. This breadth keeps API assets in one format, though the free plan’s small OpenAPI sync allowance may constrain teams that rely on frequent synchronization.

Pricing

Bruno offers a free Open Source plan, a 14-day Ultimate trial with no credit card required, and paid plans billed annually. The trial is useful for evaluating the higher tier before committing, but it does not change the annual billing terms of the paid plans.

Plan	Price	What it includes	Best suited to
Open Source	Free	2 workspaces, 5 OpenAPI syncs/month, community support	Individuals or small projects that can stay within the workspace and sync caps.
Pro	6.00 USD per month (billed billed annually)	Unlimited workspaces, 5 OpenAPI syncs per month	Teams needing more workspaces, but not more than five monthly syncs.
Ultimate	11.00 USD per month (billed billed annually)	Unlimited workspaces, unlimited OpenAPI syncs, unlimited license admins	Teams that need frequent syncs or more license administrators.

Pro removes the free plan’s two-workspace ceiling but keeps the five-sync monthly cap, so it is not the upgrade for a sync-heavy workflow. Ultimate lifts that cap and allows unlimited license admins; readers who need those provisions should weigh them against its higher annual-billed price.

Platforms

Bruno is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux desktops, with an IDE extension and API-focused CLI also part of its product range. That mix suits developers moving between an editor and desktop client, as well as teams integrating collection work into CI/CD pipelines.

Who it's for

Bruno is best for developers and teams that treat API definitions, requests, and tests as code and want changes reviewed alongside project files. Its multiple protocols and automation tools also suit teams that need one collection workflow for exploration and repeatable checks. It is a weaker fit for users who prioritize cloud-centered collaboration, or for teams whose OpenAPI synchronization needs exceed the free and Pro monthly allowance.

Pros and cons

Pro: Plain-text, Git-versioned collections make API changes reviewable in the same repository workflow as code.
Pro: REST, GraphQL, gRPC, and WebSocket support plus scripting, scheduled runs, and CI/CD integration cover both exploration and automated testing.
Pro: Local storage keeps collections, environments, and secrets on the user’s device rather than in Bruno’s cloud.
Con: The free plan is limited to two workspaces and five OpenAPI syncs per month; Pro raises workspace capacity but not the sync quota.
Con: Startup license validation sends identifying device and network information, even though Bruno says project data is excluded.
Con: Paid plans are billed annually, which is a less flexible commitment than monthly billing.

Alternatives

Choose Apidog if a time-unlimited free plan for up to four users better matches your team’s starting point. Postman is another freemium API client to compare if its free offering’s 50 AI credits, core tools, Native Git, and Collection Runner suit your workflow.

Keploy is worth considering if its open-source, local record-and-replay platform is the priority. Kreya offers a free option for individuals, with request history limited to the latest request. For contract testing, Pact is an alternative with open-source tooling.

Insomnia may fit teams seeking a free Essentials tier that allows three users for Git Sync projects, while its mock server allowance is 1,000 requests per month. Thunder Client is an option for users who want an API client available as an extension. Yaak is another desktop alternative for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Browse more options in API Testing Tools or API clients.

Verdict

Choose Bruno if you want API collections, tests, and automation to live in Git alongside the project, with local storage and support for several API protocols. Look elsewhere if cloud-centered collaboration is central to your workflow, or if the free and Pro plans’ five monthly OpenAPI syncs are too restrictive.

	Bruno	PactumJS
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Free trial	Yes
Paid from	$6/mo	Free
Platforms	api, extension, Linux, macOS, Windows	api
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Paid from	6 /user/mo
GraphQL support	Yes	Yes
Scheduled runs	Yes
CI/CD integration	Yes	Yes
Mock server	Yes	Yes
Contract testing	Yes	Yes

Bruno vs PactumJS

Bruno

PactumJS