With the growth of cloud apps and related platforms, API testing became very essential. Most of the everyday services we use depend on several linked APIS. The integrity of the whole service may be at risk if one of them is compromised. We can make sure that everything runs as smoothly as possible thanks to a number of API testing solutions available on the market. The six top API testing tools are presented in this article. Still, we will first define an API and discuss the advantages of API testing.
Understanding API
By setting certain rules and judgments, APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) enable programs to interact and communicate with one another. More precisely, they are in charge of defining the kinds of requests that one application may make to another and the next three elements: how to make those requests, what data format to utilize, and what user behavior is required.
Thanks to APIs, a web-connected application may make a request (along with data) to a server, and the server will then retrieve and understand the request. The user interface of the program receives a response with information when the essential activities have been carried out.
What meant by API testing?
Software used for API testing checks how the APIs were created. In order to make sure the functionality, dependability, security, and performance of the program are not jeopardized, it examines if the APIs effectively serve their intended purpose. Additionally, testing APIs often requires utilizing JSON or XML message payloads provided across HTTPS, HTTP, MQ, and JMS to evaluate SOAP web services or REST APIs.
A number of factors can be checked using API testing tools, such as: whether an API is returning the expected response and in the right format; whether it responds appropriately to edge cases (such as failures and unexpected inputs); whether it responds securely to potential security attacks; and the response time.
The top API testing instruments
Apigee
JavaScript-based Apigee is a really intriguing cross-cloud API testing tool that gives developers and testers access to its functionalities using a variety of editors.
This tool is appropriate for APIs that include a lot of data, making it the perfect choice for powerful and intricate digital enterprises. By examining API traffic, response times, and possible error rates, it may also quickly spot problems that are impairing performance. Additionally, Apigee supports the development of proxies from Open API Specification.
Before making a choice, Apigee offers a free trial that enables you to try it out. After then, businesses and testers must choose the best package to keep utilizing it. Evaluation, Standard, Enterprise, and Enterprise Plus are the currently available packages.
SoapUI
Since it is headless, the software tool SoapUI, which is 100% devoted to API testing, allows for the execution of tests on both SOAP APIs and RESTful web services. Since it enables users to design complicated scenarios and further facilitates asynchronous testing, it is often one of the chosen tools for testers. It also stands out for its excellent data-driven testing and user-friendliness.
One of SoapUI’s two packages is free, while the other is not (the pro package). The free solution is very simple to use, and scripts may be reused by testers. Additionally, the pro package supports native CI/CD integrations, native data extraction (from databases, files, and excels), and custom code creation.
Katalon
Popular test automation software for online, desktop, and mobile apps as well as APIs is called Katalon. It offers several parameterization capabilities and commands as well as supporting SOAP and REST calls. In addition, Katalon supports CI/CD integrations, adopts a data-driven methodology, and gives testers access to automated and exploratory testing.
One of this software’s major benefits is that, despite the many valuable functions it provides, it is not too complicated to use, making it appropriate even for non-techies.
Katalon provides a fantastic and comprehensive free bundle. Users may also choose Studio Enterprise (76$/month), which offers more advanced functionality and exclusive plugins. There is also the Runtime Engine package (54$/month), which carries out tests further through command-line interface or in CI/CD pipelines.
Postman
Postman is a great tool for testing API services, including monitorization, debugging, executing queries, etc., even though it was designed as a plugin for Google Chrome but can also be used with Windows and Mac.
Additionally, Postman supports a variety of formats without requiring developers or testers to learn a new language (such as Swagger and RAML). Additionally, it offers pre-built workspaces, collections, and tools. Developers and testers do not need to paste the text into the command line window since Postman, unlike CURL, is not a command-line-based application.
A free API testing tool is Postman. Each user will be charged $12 per month for extra features if they want to utilize them.
Tricentis
One of the best options for those looking to include Tricentis into the Agile and DevOps Cycle is. It adheres to model-based test automation, which simplifies script upkeep and offers a quick turnaround for regression testing.
The fact that it supports a variety of protocols, including REST, SOAP, HTTP(s), MQ, JMS, NET TCP, IBM MQ, etc., is one of its main advantages. Tricentis also enables end-to-end testing for packaged applications, cross-browser apps, and mobile apps, which is a huge benefit.
Regarding the cost, it may change based on the details of each package.
Assertible
Given that it allows API tests at every stage from continuous integration through the delivery pipeline, Assertible is generally regarded by developers and testers as one of the best API testing solutions with a strong emphasis on dependability.
Additionally, Assertible offers its consumers several helpful features. It is compatible with Slack, Zapier, and GitHub integration. Assertible also uses readymade assertions to verify HTTP replies.
Three distinct bundles are offered by this API testing tool. The pricing of the ordinary edition is $25 per month, the startup plan is $50 per month, and the business plan, which includes the most features, is the most costly bundle at $100 per month. Additionally, a free personal subscription is available, which is appropriate for doing more manageable API tests and learning how Assertible works.
Conclusion
When selecting an API testing tool, it’s crucial to take into account how various market possibilities can possibly be better suited for certain uses. Given that it might be challenging to locate the optimal tool, development and testing teams sometimes choose to employ many tools. Teams should thus give priority to the “must-have” features they want.
The best API testing tool will always be the one that best meets the demands of the company or project, even if all the solutions listed in this article have a solid reputation.