One of the most prominent objectives of digital transformation is to improve performance in every field. Automation is one such advancement that brings us closer to that particular goal.
API automation helps two software be compatible with one another. They can share data, information as well as communicate without user intervention.
While there are plenty of API automation tools that help the application remain functional without ever compromising on user privacy, you should choose the one that best suits your setup.
We have compiled a list of the best API automation tools that you can go for. Read on to know about them.
Top 3 API Automation Tools in 2022
API i.e., Application Programming Interface is a messenger that keeps two separate software working in tandem. It manages the microservices that work together to keep the software running.
There are quite a few API tools available in the market that make automation ever so easy for users. But there are a few aspects you should consider before you pick one. The first of those would be the basic requirements.
See that it supports HTTP requests and imports data from one project to another. Then take a look at privacy. See if it is easy to operate or not as your team might need to learn to use it. Scan through its integration list to make sure your tools are compatible.
Lastly, you should be able to connect the tool with a communication platform such as Slack and project management systems to ensure a smooth workflow. Listed below are some of the best API automation tools that are sure to suit your setup.
Postman began its journey as a Google Chrome plugin. It has now evolved into one of the most popular API testing tools. It is available both on the web and as a desktop app. It can be used for both Mac and Windows.
One of the highlights of the tool is its dedication to maintaining the privacy of the users. Privacy on the internet is a serious issue that every company should be compliant with. You can get more information on the California Privacy Rights Act here and Postman will help you stay compliant with it.
- Salient features
Postman monitors the API in a comprehensive way. It performs debugging and creates automated tests. You can also operate it manually for careful evaluation of the API. You can also extract API data from the web if need be.
It is highly compatible with built-in tools and collections. You can easily write Boolean tests and it is not based on a command line either. Experiment around with multiple formats such as RAML and Swagger.
You also get development capabilities for your API. You can run requests for sure but the number of requests is limited. However, you can easily store commands, saving you the hassle of inputting them every time.
- Price
Postman is available for free, though if you wish to explore its additional features, you can go for its $12 pack that is available as a subscription on a per month basis.
- Final words
Let us weigh down Postman’s pros and cons to get a final word on it.
Pros:
- Easy to use and free of cost
- Offers both automated and exploratory testing
- A wide range of features includes testing, running, monitoring, and documenting.
Cons:
- Cannot test more than one API at a time
- The number of requests is limited in the paid version
A great API testing tool that offers comprehensive features and is available free of cost. So, you can definitely try it thoroughly and then consider getting the paid version.
Rest-assured is one of the API automation testing tools that people look for when it comes to testing APIs in Java. It is an open-source platform that functions with Java domain-specific language. It aims to simplify the testing of Rest services.
We recommend that you look up ip geolocation as well when you consider Rest-assured as location plays an important role in data sourcing and general working of an API. Though the tool does offer to integrate UI and Rest test in a single framework for better results.
- Salient features
One of the biggest features to pay attention to when it comes to Rest-assured is that it supports all HTTP methods. As impressive as it is, it is not really unsurprising, as it is specifically meant for Java.
What’s genuinely impressive is that it supports several command types as well, such as PATCH, GET, POST, PUT, OPTIONS, and DELETE. Rest-assured is also trusted with XML and JSON-based applications.
It also seamlessly integrates with the serenity automation framework. However, it should be noted that the tool requires Java 8 or higher beginning with its version 4.2.0. Its built-in functionalities don’t require you to write the codes from scratch either.
The tool validates as well as verifies the response of requests presented to it. It also offers you codeless practice by supplying numbers itself. It also supports Behaviour Driven Development with Given/When/Then syntax. You can also stimulate how customers will interact with your APIs.
- Price
Although the tool is free, it actually has open-source pricing. It means that you will not have to pay for the software, only the solutions you use.
- Final words
Let’s take a look at Rest-assured’s pros and cons:
Pros:
- Fairly easy to use as you don’t have to code from scratch
- Free to use and supports very many command types
- Supports Behavior Driven Development (BDD)
Cons:
- Only supports the Java language
- Does not support the SOAP APIs
Rest-assured is a great tool especially if you work with Java mostly. If your projects are more diverse, it may feel a bit limiting. However, it is free to use so you can give it a test run to see if it is the right fit for you.
For the ones who find Rest-assured a bit lacking due to its neglect of Soap APIs, this particular tool will be a boon. It is a tool that covers a broad spectrum of APIs and is a one-stop shop. It is a headless function API testing tool meant for businesses.
For enterprises looking to forge their way in business development in an automated world, SoapUI will be very beneficial as it creates tests effortlessly. All you have to do is point and click. You also acquire the full source code build features of your choice.
- Salient features
It enables testing of both Java and Soap APIs along with web services as well. The free package itself offers some great features though if you can splurge more, you can experience some extraordinary benefits with the paid packages.
The free package allows you to reuse the tests that are already loaded. You can do the same with security scans and functional test cases. It saves you the time and effort to create them from scratch again. The paid package supports data-driven testing.
The latest version of the Soap UI 5.6 also has third-party libraries updated and ready to use. It has also removed the libraries that weren’t being used before such as KeenIO and Jackson. It has also enhanced testing security by disabling Load and Save project scripts.
The paid pack goes over and above to offer GraphQL, JMS, and JDBC testing other than the standard Rest and Soap. It also supports asynchronous testing. It offers data generation to help you derive accurate results in no time. It also pays attention to security testing.
- Price
There are two packages. One is free and offers a fair amount of functions. The other is fixed and costs €640 a year. This pricing is meant for businesses as the fixed pack offers a plethora of features.
- Final words
Let’s now weigh the advantages of Soap UI against its disadvantages
Pros:
- Transfer data between multiple platforms easily without manual input
- Stores the tests that can be revisited as per the need
- Allows you to build custom features and codes with the use of Groovy
Cons:
- Does not have documentation of any kind
- Mobile testing and web testing are weak compared to Java and Soap testing
All in all, Soap UI is an excellent comprehensive tool that covers various sorts of testing. You do not have to compromise on any front, especially if you deal with a variety of applications. You can try out its free version before you commit to the paid pack.
Conclusion
API automation tools are meant to help you with your day-to-day operations. You should always keep a list of requirements to refer to when selecting a tool for your setup.
You should also always weigh the pros and cons of a tool amongst other alternatives before you go for it.
If the application offers trials, take them to ensure it works smoothly with your setup before committing to it full time.
Let us know in the comments which API automation tool you prefer and what you look for in a tool before buying it.
