Loading…
Postman
API platform for building and using APIs
Developer ToolsFree
Postman — Official Website
Quick Take: Postman
4.6
Postman in 2026 remains an undisputed powerhouse for API development and testing on macOS, offering an increasingly comprehensive, 'everything app' approach to the API lifecycle. Its intuitive interface, robust feature set (from request building to advanced automation and AI integration), and strong collaborative tools make it indispensable for individual developers and large enterprises. While the shift in the Free plan to a single-user limit from March 2026 might necessitate a re-evaluation for small teams, the value proposition of its paid tiers, with features like native Git workflows, enhanced performance testing, and the new API Catalog, is compelling. Despite occasional resource intensity, its strengths in streamlining workflows, fostering collaboration, and embracing AI position it as a critical tool for anyone working with APIs, especially those committed to an API-first strategy. For macOS users, its native application ensures a smooth and integrated experience, making it a highly recommended platform for achieving high productivity and API quality.
Best For
- •Individual API Developers
- •API Development Teams (Paid tiers)
- •QA Engineers & Testers
- •Technical Product Managers
- •API-First Organizations
Install with Homebrew
brew install --cask postmanWhat is Postman?
Postman stands in 2026 as the preeminent API development and testing platform, having evolved significantly from its origins as a simple Chrome browser extension in 2012 by founders Abhinav Asthana, Ankit Sobti, and Abhijit Kane. It has transitioned into a comprehensive, cloud-based ecosystem designed to simplify every stage of the API lifecycle. For Mac users, Postman in 2026 is more crucial than ever, offering native performance optimized for Apple Silicon and integrating seamlessly into macOS developer workflows. Its core value proposition lies in providing a unified workspace for designing, building, testing, documenting, and monitoring APIs, fostering collaboration across diverse engineering teams. In the broader Developer Tools landscape, Postman has solidified its position as an indispensable 'everything app' for APIs, increasingly incorporating AI-native capabilities, robust Git workflows, and an expanded suite of tools for end-to-end API and service workflows, ensuring it remains at the forefront of API innovation for individual developers and large enterprises alike.
Deep Dive: Postman
Postman is a comprehensive API development platform that simplifies every stage of the API lifecycle. It enables developers to design, build, test, document, and monitor APIs with powerful collaboration features and automation, evolving from a simple client to a full-fledged ecosystem.
History & Background
Postman's journey began around 2009 when founder Abhinav Asthana, then a coding intern at Yahoo Bangalore, faced challenges in learning, testing, and debugging APIs. The initial version was a basic HTTP client for Chrome, solving his own problems and quickly gaining traction. In 2012, it was released on the Chrome Web Store and rapidly accumulated half a million users, signaling a significant business opportunity. Co-founded in 2014 by Abhinav Asthana, Ankit Sobti (CTO), and Abhijit Kane (CPO), Postman transitioned from a side project to a funded startup. Key milestones include the introduction of the Collection Runner and CLI in 2014, documentation and code generation in 2015, and crucial integrations with platforms like GitHub and GitLab in 2016, steadily expanding its capabilities beyond a simple API client. A significant development was the Postman Agent, which enabled the launch of a web version in September 2020, offering improved performance and user onboarding.
How It Works
The Postman native application for Mac is built on the Electron framework. This allows for a desktop experience while leveraging web technologies. The view layer of the application is primarily written in React, a popular JavaScript library for building user interfaces. For managing data within the application, Postman utilizes Redux in some areas, while other parts still incorporate Backbone.js. This architectural choice allows Postman to provide a rich, interactive user interface on macOS, offering seamless request capturing and cookie handling directly within the app, features that previously required browser extensions or proxy tools. The Mac app essentially bundles all add-on functionality to create a unified workflow, eliminating the need for developers to switch between various tools for API debugging and documentation.
Ecosystem & Integrations
Postman boasts a rich ecosystem of plugins, extensions, and integrations designed to enhance API development workflows. Newman, a command-line collection runner, allows for automated API tests, crucial for CI/CD pipelines. The Postman Interceptor, a browser extension, facilitates capturing web requests and cookies directly into the Postman app, streamlining the creation of API tests. Postman integrates with essential development tools, including version control systems like GitHub, and collaboration platforms such as Slack and Microsoft Teams for sharing updates and notifications. Project management tools like Jira also have dedicated integrations, allowing for issue creation and management directly from Postman. Furthermore, the Postman API allows for programmatic access and management of Postman resources, enabling automation of collection updates and environment creation, while extensions like the Postman VS Code extension bring API development directly into the IDE.
Future Development
Postman's recent updates in 2025 and planned features for 2026 demonstrate a strong focus on AI, collaboration, and end-to-end API lifecycle management. In March 2026, Postman is set to introduce AI-native capabilities that can read, write, and reason across Postman assets and code. A new API Catalog will serve as a live operational layer for API portfolio management, integrating specs, collections, test execution, CI/CD activity, and production observability. Other significant updates include native Git workflows for better code alignment, terminal and code editors within Postman, and expanded support for various API and messaging protocols such as GraphQL, gRPC, WebSocket, and MQTT. December 2025 saw the release of multi-script support for multi-protocol collections and workspace bookmarks, along with a CLI command for sending HTTP requests directly from the terminal. These advancements aim to make API workflows more collaborative, automated, and central to everyday development, preparing APIs for the AI era.
Key Features
API Client & Request Builder
At its heart, Postman offers an intuitive API client that allows users to construct and send virtually any type of HTTP request (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, etc.) with comprehensive control over headers, body, authentication, and parameters. This feature simplifies debugging and interaction with various API types, making it effortless to test endpoints and analyze responses, which is fundamental for any API-driven development.
Collections & Environments
Postman Collections enable users to organize related API requests into logical groups, complete with pre-request scripts, test scripts, and documentation. Coupled with Environments, which allow for dynamic variable management, developers can easily switch between different configurations (e.g., development, staging, production) without modifying individual requests. This drastically improves reusability, collaboration, and testing efficiency across projects.
Automated Testing & Performance Testing
Postman provides robust capabilities for automated API testing through JavaScript-based pre-request and test scripts, allowing for validation of responses, assertion of data, and chaining of requests. New in 2026, a rebuilt performance testing engine allows users to generate high, predictable load and run existing functional tests to validate correctness alongside latency and throughput, crucial for catching concurrency bugs early in CI/CD pipelines.
Mock Servers & Monitors
Users can create mock servers directly within Postman, allowing frontend and backend development to proceed in parallel without waiting for actual API implementation. Monitors enable scheduling collection runs at regular intervals to check API performance, response times, and uptime, providing continuous insights and alerting for potential issues, ensuring reliable API operations.
Postman Flows & AI-native Capabilities
Postman Flows, a low-code visual workflow builder, allows users to orchestrate complex sequences of API requests and logic using a drag-and-drop interface, ideal for QA, QC, and testers to create chains of requests without extensive coding. Complementing this are AI-native features, including Agent Mode for natural language interaction with APIs, 'Bring Your Own Model' (BYOM) support for integrating custom AI models, and an MCP server to provide AI agents with structured API context.
API Catalog & Native Git Workflows
The new API Catalog acts as a live operational layer for API portfolio management, offering a single view of specs, collections, test execution, CI/CD activity, and production observability. Additionally, native Git workflows introduced in 2026 allow developers to work in feature branches and keep Postman assets synchronized with their code, enhancing version control and team collaboration.
Who Should Use Postman?
1Backend Developer
A backend developer is building a new microservice that exposes several RESTful endpoints. They use Postman to quickly test each endpoint as it's developed, sending various request payloads and verifying response structures and status codes. They create a Postman Collection for the microservice, defining requests, environment variables for local and staging URLs, and pre-request scripts to handle authentication tokens. This allows them to rapidly iterate on their API design and ensure functionality before integrating with the frontend.
2QA Engineer
A QA engineer is responsible for validating the functionality and performance of an existing API. They utilize Postman Collections with extensive test scripts to automate functional tests, asserting specific response data and status codes. For performance testing, they leverage Postman’s rebuilt engine to simulate high user load, running their existing test assertions at scale to identify bottlenecks and ensure the API performs correctly under stress, then use monitors to schedule continuous health checks of critical endpoints.
3Technical Product Manager
A Technical Product Manager needs to understand how an API functions for a new feature implementation and communicate its capabilities to stakeholders. They use Postman to explore API endpoints, documenting requests and responses within collections. They also utilize Postman's Mock Servers to simulate API responses for early frontend prototyping and stakeholder demos, ensuring alignment on API behavior without waiting for full backend development. The API Catalog helps them monitor the overall health and adoption of their API portfolio.
How to Install Postman on Mac
Installing Postman on your Mac is a straightforward process, offering both a direct download for immediate use and a Homebrew Cask option for package manager enthusiasts. Choosing the Homebrew method integrates Postman cleanly into your system's package management.
1
Download the Postman Application
Visit the official Postman downloads page (postman.com/downloads) and select the appropriate version for your macOS – either 'Mac (Intel Chip)' or 'Mac (Apple Silicon)' depending on your Mac's processor.
2
Install via Drag-and-Drop (or Unzip)
If your browser downloads a .zip file, locate it in your 'Downloads' folder and double-click to unzip. Then, drag the 'Postman' application icon from your 'Downloads' folder into your 'Applications' folder.
3
Install via Homebrew Cask (Alternative)
Alternatively, if you have Homebrew installed, open your Terminal and run the command: `brew install --cask postman`. This will download and install Postman, placing it in your Applications folder and handling necessary symlinks.
4
Launch Postman
Once installed, navigate to your 'Applications' folder and double-click the Postman icon to launch the application. You will likely be prompted to sign in or create a Postman account to access cloud sync and collaborative features.
Pro Tips
- • Ensure your macOS is version 10.15 (Catalina) or later for optimal compatibility.
- • For Homebrew users, periodically run `brew upgrade postman` to keep your Postman application up-to-date with the latest features and security patches.
- • If you experience permission issues, ensure Postman has the necessary access in 'System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access'.
Configuration Tips
Mastering Environment Variables for Dynamic Workflows
Leverage Postman's environment variables extensively. Instead of hard-coding values like base URLs, API keys, or authentication tokens, store them in environments (e.g., Development, Staging, Production). This allows you to switch between different API configurations with a single click, promoting reusability and preventing sensitive data from being committed to version control. Remember that local and data variables take precedence over environment variables, offering fine-grained control when needed.
Optimizing Performance for Large Collections
For users with extensive API collections or those experiencing sluggishness on their Mac, consider organizing your workspaces effectively to reduce clutter. Utilize Collection Runs with specific environments rather than executing numerous individual requests manually. Periodically clear your Postman cache (accessible via 'View > Developer > Clear Cache and Reload') and ensure your macOS and Postman application are always updated to the latest versions for performance enhancements and bug fixes.
Alternatives to Postman
While Postman remains a dominant force, several alternatives cater to different needs, from lightweight clients to comprehensive API lifecycle platforms.
I
Insomnia
Insomnia, acquired by Kong, is a popular open-source API client known for its sleek, developer-friendly interface and strong support for GraphQL, REST, and gRPC APIs. It offers robust environment management, request chaining, and a plugin ecosystem. Compared to Postman, Insomnia often feels lighter and faster for individual developers or small teams prioritizing a clean UI and Git integration. However, its collaboration tools are less mature than Postman's, and advanced automated testing capabilities might require a paid plan, making Postman a more feature-rich choice for large-scale enterprise collaboration and management.
P
Paw / RapidAPI Client for Mac
Paw, now the RapidAPI Client for Mac, is a macOS-native API client renowned for its polished design and advanced features tailored for professional developers. It excels with dynamic values, code generation, and powerful HTTP client capabilities, offering seamless integration with various tools. Paw provides native performance and a highly intuitive user experience for Mac users, often perceived as more 'Mac-like' than Postman. Its primary limitation is being Mac-exclusive, which makes it less suitable for cross-platform teams. For Mac-centric development, it offers a strong, visually appealing alternative.
A
Apidog
Apidog is an emerging all-in-one platform that aims to cover the entire API lifecycle from design, testing, mocking, to documentation. It boasts excellent API design tools with a visual editor, automated testing, and strong team collaboration features. A key advantage for teams is its more generous free tier compared to Postman's 2026 single-user limit, allowing up to 4 users for free with unlimited runs. Apidog offers Postman collection import compatibility, making migration relatively easy, and presents itself as a compelling, often more cost-effective, alternative for comprehensive API lifecycle management.
Pricing
Freemium
Postman operates on a freemium model in 2026, offering a Free plan with significant limitations and several paid tiers. The **Free** plan, from March 2026, is explicitly limited to a single user, making collaboration difficult without upgrading, and includes caps like 25 collection runs and limited mock server/monitor requests. The **Basic** plan costs $14 per user/month (billed annually) and offers unlimited collaboration, more mock server/monitor requests, and cloud-based integrations. The **Professional** plan, at $29 per user/month, expands on Basic with features like custom domains, more integrations, and extended collection recovery. For large organizations, the **Enterprise** plan is $49 per user/month (annual), providing advanced security (SSO, SCIM), API governance tools, audit logs, and premium support, aimed at comprehensive API lifecycle management.
Pros
- ✓User-friendly interface makes it accessible for both beginners and experienced developers.
- ✓Comprehensive feature set covers the entire API lifecycle, from design and testing to documentation and monitoring.
- ✓Robust collaboration features via shared workspaces, collections, and environments streamline team workflows.
- ✓Automated testing capabilities with JavaScript scripting allow for detailed validation and continuous integration.
- ✓Environment variables and collections enable dynamic request management and reusability across different stages (dev, staging, prod).
- ✓New AI-native features and Postman Flows simplify complex workflows and introduce natural language interaction with APIs.
- ✓Excellent code generation for various languages and frameworks, accelerating client-side integration.
- ✓Extensive documentation, community support, and a vast template library contribute to a rich user experience.
Cons
- ✗Can be resource-intensive, leading to slow performance or crashes with very large collections or complex operations on less powerful Macs.
- ✗The 2026 update limits the Free plan to a single user, significantly hindering small team collaboration without a paid subscription.
- ✗Some advanced features and deep integrations are locked behind higher-priced paid plans, making it costly for larger teams.
- ✗The increasing number of features can lead to UI complexity and a steeper learning curve for new users exploring advanced functionalities.
- ✗While supporting various protocols, Postman's strengths are still primarily focused on REST and GraphQL, with some limitations for specialized protocols like SOAP API testing.
Community & Support
Postman boasts a massive and highly active global community, evident through its extensive forums and a wealth of online tutorials and resources. The official Postman Learning Center provides in-depth documentation that is regularly updated and very comprehensive, serving as an invaluable resource for users of all skill levels. While direct GitHub activity might be more focused on the Postman CLI and specific open-source components, the community forums are vibrant, offering peer-to-peer support and a platform for feature requests. Postman also provides dedicated support channels for its paid plans, ensuring enterprise users receive timely assistance for critical issues.
Video Tutorials
Getting Started with Postman
Codemify194.2K views
More Tutorials
Postman Beginner's Course - API Testing
freeCodeCamp.org • 2.9M views
Postman API Testing Tutorial | Postman Tutorial For Beginners 2025
Code Bless You • 971.7K views
How to Install Postman on MacBook | Step-by-Step Guide
GTM Tech • 609 views
Frequently Asked Questions about Postman
Effective March 2026, Postman's Free plan has been significantly altered to accommodate only a single user. This change has a profound impact on small to medium-sized teams who previously relied on the free tier for collaborative API development and testing. While individual developers can still utilize the Free plan, teams requiring shared ownership, peer review, or multiple users contributing to workspaces will now need to upgrade to a paid Basic, Professional, or Enterprise plan. These paid tiers start at $14 per user/month and offer features like unlimited collaboration, increased mock server requests, and enhanced monitoring. This shift emphasizes Postman's push towards a more enterprise-focused cloud platform.
Our Verdict
4.6/5
Postman in 2026 remains an undisputed powerhouse for API development and testing on macOS, offering an increasingly comprehensive, 'everything app' approach to the API lifecycle. Its intuitive interface, robust feature set (from request building to advanced automation and AI integration), and strong collaborative tools make it indispensable for individual developers and large enterprises. While the shift in the Free plan to a single-user limit from March 2026 might necessitate a re-evaluation for small teams, the value proposition of its paid tiers, with features like native Git workflows, enhanced performance testing, and the new API Catalog, is compelling. Despite occasional resource intensity, its strengths in streamlining workflows, fostering collaboration, and embracing AI position it as a critical tool for anyone working with APIs, especially those committed to an API-first strategy. For macOS users, its native application ensures a smooth and integrated experience, making it a highly recommended platform for achieving high productivity and API quality.
Best for:Individual API DevelopersAPI Development Teams (Paid tiers)QA Engineers & TestersTechnical Product ManagersAPI-First Organizations
About the Author
Related Technologies & Concepts
Abhinav AsthanaAnkit SobtiAbhijit KaneHomebrewInsomniaOpenAPIREST APIAI Agent ModePostman Flows
Abhinav Asthana (Co-founder of Postman.), Ankit Sobti (Co-founder of Postman.), Abhijit Kane (Co-founder of Postman.), Homebrew (A popular macOS package manager used for installing Postman.), Insomnia (A direct competitor and alternative API client to Postman.), OpenAPI (A specification used for defining API interfaces, supported by Postman for design and documentation.), REST API (The primary type of API that Postman is designed to interact with and test.), AI Agent Mode (A new AI-native feature in Postman allowing natural language interaction with APIs.), Postman Flows (A low-code visual workflow builder within Postman for orchestrating API tasks.)
Related Topics
Sources & References
Fact-CheckedLast verified: Feb 15, 2026
Key Verified Facts
- Postman is available for macOS with Homebrew installation support[cite-1]
- Postman supports Apple Silicon Macs natively[cite-10]
- 1softwareadvice.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 2postman.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 3softwareworld.co
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 4thebrandhopper.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 5postman.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 6postman.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 7softwareadvice.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 8youtube.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 9g2.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 10postman.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
Research queries: Postman 2026 review features Mac; What is Postman history creator 2026; Postman core value proposition developer tools landscape 2026; Postman API client capabilities 2026; Postman Collections environments variables 2026