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Hoppscotch
Open source API development ecosystem
Developer ToolsFreeOpen SourceReplaces Postman (paid plans)
Hoppscotch — Official Website
Quick Take: Hoppscotch
NaNInstall with Homebrew
brew install --cask hoppscotchWhat is Hoppscotch? — Complete Guide for Mac Users in 2026
Hoppscotch is an open-source, lightweight, and rapidly evolving API development ecosystem that has firmly established itself as the premier alternative to heavier tools like Postman and Insomnia. Originally launched as 'Postwoman' in 2019, it was rebranded to Hoppscotch to reflect its broader ambitions beyond just being a web-based client. By 2026, Hoppscotch has matured into a comprehensive suite for macOS users, offering a native desktop experience that leverages the power of Apple Silicon (M-series) chips for blazing-fast performance. Unlike traditional API clients that have become bloated with features often irrelevant to the core developer workflow, Hoppscotch maintains a philosophy of minimalism without sacrificing power. It supports a vast array of protocols including REST, GraphQL, and WebSocket, as well as real-time protocols like MQTT, SSE, and Socket.IO, making it a versatile tool for modern full-stack development. For Mac users in 2026, Hoppscotch stands out due to its seamless integration with macOS Sequoia and successor operating systems. It offers a clean, distraction-free interface that adheres to modern design principles, supporting dark mode and system-level integrations. One of its key differentiators is its 'local-first' approach combined with robust cloud sync capabilities, allowing developers to choose between privacy-focused local storage or team-based cloud collaboration. Furthermore, as an open-source project, it allows for self-hosting, which is a critical requirement for enterprise environments with strict data compliance needs. Whether you are debugging a simple endpoint or architecting a complex microservices mesh, Hoppscotch provides the tooling necessary to design, test, and document APIs efficiently, positioning itself as an essential utility in the Mac developer's dock.
Key Features
Multi-Protocol API Testing Ecosystem
Hoppscotch goes far beyond simple REST API calls. It provides a unified interface for interacting with a diverse set of modern protocols, which is essential for 2026's complex application architectures. Users can seamlessly switch between testing RESTful endpoints, querying GraphQL schemas with full introspection and auto-completion, and debugging real-time communication channels like WebSockets, Server-Sent Events (SSE), Socket.IO, and MQTT. This consolidation means developers no longer need separate tools for different layers of their stack. The interface adapts contextually to the selected protocol—for instance, showing a GraphiQL-like explorer for GraphQL or a connection status log for WebSockets—ensuring that the testing environment is always optimized for the specific task at hand.
Advanced Environment & Variable Management
Managing different stages of development (Local, Staging, Production) is streamlined in Hoppscotch through its robust environment and variable system. Users can define global variables and environment-specific variables that can be referenced dynamically in URLs, headers, and request bodies using the `<<variable_name>>` syntax. This feature is critical for workflow automation, allowing developers to switch contexts instantly without manually rewriting request parameters. In the 2026 version, this system includes 'Secret' variables that are never synced to the cloud, ensuring API keys and sensitive tokens remain local to the user's machine. The UI allows for bulk editing and importing/exporting of environments, making it easy to share configurations with team members while maintaining security hygiene.
AI-Assisted Request Generation & Testing
Leveraging the advancements in Generative AI available in 2026, Hoppscotch integrates an intelligent assistant directly into the request builder. This feature allows developers to describe an API endpoint in natural language, prompting the app to automatically construct the correct method, headers, and body parameters. Beyond request generation, the AI capabilities extend to writing test scripts. Developers can highlight a response and ask Hoppscotch to 'generate test cases,' resulting in ready-to-use JavaScript snippets for validating status codes, response times, and JSON schema compliance. This significantly reduces the friction of adopting Test-Driven Development (TDD) and helps ensure API reliability with minimal manual coding effort.
Real-Time Collaboration & Teams Workspaces
Collaboration is at the heart of the Hoppscotch platform. The 'Teams' feature allows multiple developers to work in shared workspaces where collections, environments, and history are synced in real-time. This eliminates the archaic practice of exporting and emailing JSON collection files. When a team member updates an endpoint definition or adds a new documentation example, changes are instantly reflected across all connected clients. Granular role-based access control (RBAC) allows administrators to define who can view, edit, or delete resources. For Mac users working in distributed teams, this feature ensures that everyone is always testing against the single source of truth, reducing integration errors caused by outdated API specs.
Native macOS Performance & Apple Silicon Optimization
While Hoppscotch began as a Progressive Web App (PWA), its dedicated macOS desktop client is fully optimized for Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4 chips). This native wrapper ensures that the application runs with minimal memory footprint—a stark contrast to some Electron-heavy competitors that drain battery life. The desktop app solves Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) issues inherent to web browsers, allowing requests to localhost and unrestricted cross-domain calls without needing browser extensions or proxy workarounds. It supports macOS system themes (auto-switching between light/dark mode), native notifications for test completions, and intuitive keyboard shortcuts that align with standard Mac HIG (Human Interface Guidelines).
Comprehensive Pre-Request Scripts & Testing Sandbox
For advanced automation, Hoppscotch provides a powerful JavaScript sandbox. Developers can write pre-request scripts to generate dynamic data (like timestamps or HMAC signatures) before a request is sent. Similarly, post-request test scripts allow for the validation of response data using a Chai-like assertion library. This scripting capability enables complex workflows, such as chaining requests where the authentication token from a login response is automatically captured and stored as a variable for subsequent requests. The built-in snippet library provides common patterns, making it accessible for beginners, while the full JavaScript execution environment offers the depth required by seasoned QA engineers to build intricate test suites.
Who Should Use Hoppscotch?
1Frontend Developer
A frontend developer working on a React or Vue.js application uses Hoppscotch to mock and inspect API responses before the backend is fully implemented. They utilize the 'Environments' feature to toggle between mocking servers and local backend services effortlessly. By importing the backend team's OpenAPI specification into Hoppscotch, they can generate accurate request payloads, ensuring their frontend data fetching logic handles all edge cases and error states correctly without waiting for backend deployment.
2QA Automation Engineer
A QA engineer leverages Hoppscotch's collection runner and scripting capabilities to perform regression testing on a microservices architecture. They organize endpoints into logical collections and attach test scripts that validate JSON schemas and status codes. Using the Hoppscotch CLI (Command Line Interface) integrated into a CI/CD pipeline (like GitHub Actions), they automate these collections to run on every pull request, ensuring that no new code breaks existing API contracts.
3Backend API Architect
A backend architect uses Hoppscotch to design and document new API endpoints. They utilize the real-time WebSocket and SSE testing features to verify streaming data integrity for a chat application. Once the endpoints are stable, they use the built-in documentation generator to create public-facing API docs. The 'Teams' feature allows them to share these draft endpoints immediately with frontend consumers for feedback, tightening the feedback loop during the design phase.
4DevOps / SRE
A Site Reliability Engineer uses Hoppscotch as a quick diagnostic tool during incident response. When a service alert triggers, they launch Hoppscotch to manually probe specific internal health-check endpoints that are protected behind VPCs or complex auth flows. The ability to save and organize these diagnostic requests into a 'Troubleshooting' collection allows them to rapidly verify service connectivity, inspect headers for caching issues, and test latency without writing ad-hoc curl scripts during a crisis.
How to Install Hoppscotch on Mac
Installing Hoppscotch on macOS is straightforward. While you can use the web version, the desktop app is recommended for the best performance and to bypass CORS restrictions.
1
Install via Homebrew (Recommended)
The most efficient way to install and maintain Hoppscotch on macOS is through Homebrew. Open your Terminal application and execute the following command to download the cask: brew install --cask hoppscotch
2
Manual DMG Installation
If you prefer not to use a package manager, visit the official Hoppscotch website (hoppscotch.io), navigate to the 'Downloads' section, and download the .dmg file for macOS. Open the disk image and drag the Hoppscotch app into your Applications folder.
3
Grant Permissions
Upon first launch, macOS may prompt you to confirm opening an application downloaded from the internet. Click 'Open'. You may also be asked to allow Hoppscotch to access the local network for testing localhost APIs—ensure you click 'Allow' to enable local development.
4
Login or Configure Local Mode
Launch the app. You can choose to use it in 'Local Mode' which stores data only on your device, or sign in/create an account to enable cloud syncing and team collaboration features. Configuring this early ensures your workspaces are set up correctly from the start.
Pro Tips
- • After installation, pin Hoppscotch to your Dock for quick access.
- • Check for updates immediately via the app settings to ensure you have the latest protocol support.
- • If you use Raycast or Alfred, re-index your applications so Hoppscotch appears in your launcher.
Configuration Tips
Mastering Keyboard Shortcuts
To maximize efficiency, take time to customize and learn Hoppscotch's keyboard shortcuts. The Mac app allows you to map keys for sending requests (Cmd+Enter), switching tabs (Cmd+Option+Arrows), and toggling the sidebar. Mastering these reduces reliance on the trackpad, significantly speeding up your testing workflow, especially when iterating rapidly on API parameters.
Setting Up Global Environments
Don't hardcode URLs into your requests. Immediately set up a Global Environment for your base URLs (e.g., `{{base_url}}`) and authentication tokens. This configuration allows you to switch between Local, Staging, and Production targets with a single dropdown click. It prevents accidental writes to production databases and makes your collections portable and shareable with other developers.
Configuring the Proxy Middleware
If you switch between the web version and the desktop app, you might encounter CORS issues on the web. Configure the 'Proxy' settings in Hoppscotch to use the official proxy server or a custom self-hosted proxy. For the desktop app, ensure the 'Native' interceptor mode is enabled in Settings, which bypasses the browser-based restrictions entirely for seamless connectivity.
Enabling Git Integration
For version-controlled API testing, configure Hoppscotch to sync with a Git repository. This allows you to commit your collections and environments directly to GitHub or GitLab. It treats your API tests as code, enabling peer reviews on changes to request collections and ensuring that your testing suite evolves in lockstep with your application codebase.
Alternatives to Hoppscotch
While Hoppscotch is a powerful tool, the developer tools market is competitive. Here is how it stacks up against the industry heavyweights.
P
Postman
Postman is the industry standard and offers a massive ecosystem, including a public API network and extensive enterprise governance features. However, by 2026, it has become increasingly heavy, resource-intensive, and pushes paid cloud features aggressively. Hoppscotch compares favorably as a lightweight, open-source alternative that offers 90% of the core functionality needed by developers without the bloat. Postman is better for large enterprise discovery, while Hoppscotch wins on speed, privacy, and open-source flexibility.
I
Insomnia
Insomnia is Hoppscotch's closest stylistic rival, known for its clean UI and design-first approach to APIs (Kong). Insomnia excels in plugin support and pipeline integration. However, Hoppscotch's completely open-source nature (MIT license) and web-first heritage make it more accessible for rapid, lightweight usage. While Insomnia has had controversies regarding account enforcement, Hoppscotch remains committed to a usable local-only mode, making it the preferred choice for privacy-conscious developers.
P
Paw (RapidAPI)
Paw (now part of RapidAPI) is a Mac-exclusive client known for its truly native macOS interface, feeling indistinguishable from Apple's own apps. It offers superior dynamic value generation and chaining. Hoppscotch, being cross-platform (Electron/Web), lacks the ultra-native polish of Paw but makes up for it with free tiers and better team collaboration across different operating systems. If your entire team is on Mac and budget is no issue, Paw is luxurious; for mixed teams and budget efficiency, Hoppscotch is superior.
Pricing
Freemium / Open-Source
Hoppscotch operates on an open-source model. The core application is free to download and use for individuals, with no limits on collections or requests. They offer a paid 'Cloud' tier for Teams that enables advanced collaboration, unlimited history retention, and dedicated support. Uniquely, they also offer a self-hosted Enterprise plan, allowing organizations to run the entire Hoppscotch infrastructure on their own servers for maximum security and compliance.
Pros
- ✓Completely Open Source (MIT License) and free for personal use.
- ✓Lightweight and fast compared to Postman, with a lower memory footprint.
- ✓Supports a wide range of protocols including GraphQL, WebSocket, MQTT, and SSE.
- ✓Privacy-focused 'Local Mode' allows usage without cloud syncing or login.
- ✓Clean, modern UI with excellent dark mode support and minimal clutter.
- ✓Can be self-hosted for enterprise compliance and data sovereignty.
Cons
- ✗Plugin ecosystem is smaller and less mature than Postman's.
- ✗Advanced mocking and virtualization features are less comprehensive than enterprise paid tools.
- ✗Documentation and community tutorials are growing but not as ubiquitous as Postman's.
Community & Ecosystem
The Hoppscotch community is vibrant and rapidly expanding. As one of the most starred open-source projects on GitHub, it benefits from a steady stream of contributions from developers worldwide. The development activity is high, with frequent updates addressing bugs and adding new protocols. The community congregates primarily on GitHub Discussions, Discord, and Twitter, where the maintainers are notably active and responsive. While the plugin ecosystem is still evolving compared to legacy tools, the core documentation is well-maintained, and the self-hosting guides are particularly robust for DevOps professionals.
Video Tutorials
Getting Started with Hoppscotch
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Frequently Asked Questions about Hoppscotch
Hoppscotch on macOS is technically a hybrid application. While it started purely as a web app, the desktop version available via DMG or Homebrew is wrapped (likely using technologies like Tauri or Electron) to provide system-level integrations. This allows it to function like a native app with Dock presence, file system access, and the ability to bypass CORS restrictions that limit the web version. However, it is optimized for Apple Silicon, ensuring it feels responsive and doesn't hog RAM like older generation web-wrapper apps. It strikes a balance between web versatility and desktop power.
Our Verdict
About the Author
Related Technologies & Concepts
API ClientPostmanOpen SourceGraphQLHomebrewRESTSelf-Hosted
API Client (The primary category of software that Hoppscotch belongs to.), Postman (The main competitor and market leader that Hoppscotch is an alternative to.), Open Source (The development model and licensing (MIT) that differentiates Hoppscotch.), GraphQL (A key data query language supported by Hoppscotch for API testing.), Homebrew (The package manager used to install Hoppscotch on macOS.), REST (The standard architectural style for APIs that Hoppscotch is designed to test.), Self-Hosted (A deployment feature allowing enterprises to run Hoppscotch on their own servers.)