Top API Testing Tools
I. What is an API?
II. Top API Testing Tools.
1. Postman.
2. Karate DSL.
3. SoapUI.
4. HttpMaster Express.
5. Rest Assured.
6. RestSharp.
I. What is API?
API (Application Programming Interfaces) serves as a description acting as an interface for components within software. APIs bypass the user interface and directly communicate with an application by calling its API.
API testing enables the testing of technologies without user interfaces such as JMS HTTP, databases, and web services. This method is sometimes referred to as headless testing, as it bypasses the user interface and sends requests directly to the backend of an application or service, receiving responses as well as authentication to ensure the application functions as expected.
A very simple example is the client/server relationship. The client makes requests for resources, which are sent out to find a server that can fulfill those requests. The server locates the desired resources and sends them back to the client.
II. Best API Testing Tools
1. Postman
Originally used as a plugin for the Chrome browser, Postman now has versions for both Mac and Windows.
At a higher level, you can use Postman to send post requests to web server and then it will respond to you. It allows you to set up all the headers, cookies your API needs, and then it will check the response when it comes back.
- Suitable for both automated testing and exploration
- Can run on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Chrome
- Download Postman from here.
2. Karate DSL
Karate allows you to create a test to call any web service API and assert that the response will be as expected.
- Built on Cucumber-JVM foundation
- Can run tests and generate reports like any other standard Java program
- Test cases can be written without Java knowledge
- Even non-programmers can easily write tests.
- Download Karate DSL from here.
3. SoapUI
SoapUI is a testing tool for technologies without user interfaces from SmartBear Software. It has 2 versions: a free open-source version and a premium version. Since the free version is open-source, you can access the full source code and modify it as needed.
The premium version is user-friendly and includes additional features such as form editor, XPath wizard, and SQL query builder. The free version allows you to:
- Easily create custom code using Groovy
- Create tests by drag and drop
- Develop complex scenarios
- Test asynchronously
- SoapUI's Mock Service allows you to simulate web services before deployment.
- Download SoapUI from here.
4. HttpMaster Express
HttpMaster describes itself as a web testing and development tool, helping automate testing of web pages and services. It can be used to test RESTful web services and API applications. HttpMaster also allows you to monitor API responses.
- HttpMaster offers global options for customizing API requests
- Allows dynamic data structures to be included in requests
- You can use request chaining to leverage items and pass data from previous requests to subsequent ones
- Download HttpMaster Express from here.
5. Rest-Assured
Rest-Assured is a domain-specific language (DSL) for Java, open-source, making testing REST services easier. It simplifies everything by eliminating the need for boilerplate code to check and verify complex responses. It also supports XML and JSON requests/responses. This is perhaps the best tool for API testing.
- Eliminates the need for boilerplate code to interact with a REST service
- Supports BDD Given/When/Then syntax
- Perfectly integrates with Java
- The standard for programming an API test script
If you're using Java and want a REST API service library, using Rest-Assured is one of the best options.
- Download Rest Assured from here.
6. RestSharp
RestSharp is a simple REST and HTTP API client for .NET
- Supports .NET 3.5+, Silverlight 5, Windows Phone 8, Mono, MonoTouch, Mono for Android
- Easy installation via NuGet for most .NET files
- Supports GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, HEAD, OPTIONS, DELETE
- Download RestSharp from here.
Above is a list of some of the most effective API testing software today. This list will be continuously updated as there are still many other useful software out there. If you have any doubts or questions, please comment below, Mytour will respond as soon as possible.
