Bruno vs Insomnia
Insomnia is also an open-source API client, and it offers local, Git, and cloud storage - so this is a closer comparison than most. The differences that matter most: Bruno is always local and Git-native with no account at all, while Insomnia asks you to choose a storage backend per project, and Git collaboration beyond three users - along with its hosted cloud features - sits behind a free account and paid plans.
The Git-native difference
Bruno is Git-native for any team size, for free. With Insomnia, native Git Sync is free for up to 3 users - collaborating over Git beyond that requires the Pro plan at $12/user/month. Insomnia pricing.
BrunoHow Collections Are Stored
Lets you choose a storage backend per project - Cloud Sync, Local Vault, or Git Sync. With Git Sync, your collection is written as YAML files (one per entity) to a third-party Git repository; with Cloud Sync it lives in Insomnia's cloud.
Stores your collections directly in a folder on your filesystem using a plain-text markup language. There is no storage mode to choose - everything is local by default, and you can use Git or any version control of your choice just as you would with code.
Accounts & Offline Use
You can work offline without an account using the local Scratch Pad, but the full app - projects, collaboration, and sync - is built around a free Insomnia account.
Runs as a 100% local desktop application. There is no concept of a login or account, and the full product works fully offline by design.
Open Source & Licensing
Insomnia's desktop app is open source under the Apache-2.0 license. The server-side software that powers its paid Cloud Sync is closed source.
Bruno is open source - the full source is on GitHub, the desktop app is free to use, and there is no closed-source cloud backend.
BrunoWhere Your Data Lives
Depends on the storage option you pick for each project: Cloud Sync stores data in Insomnia's cloud (with optional end-to-end encryption), while Local Vault, Scratch Pad, and Git Sync keep it off the cloud.
Keeps everything on your filesystem, and makes API requests directly from your computer. Your collections, requests, and responses never leave your machine, and there is no proxy server in between.
Data Portability & Vendor Lock-in
Exports to open formats - JSON (Insomnia v4) and YAML (v5+) - and Git Sync stores entities as YAML files, so your data is portable rather than locked in.
Stores collections as plain-text files in an open format on disk by default, so there is no export step - any text editor or version control system can read them, and you keep control of your API assets regardless of which tools you use later.
BrunoTeam Collaboration
Cloud Sync collaboration is free for unlimited users, but Git-based collaboration is free only for up to 3 users; extending Git Sync to the whole team requires the Pro plan at $12/user/month.
Collaborate through Git - the same version control your team already uses for code. Collections live alongside your codebase, it works for any team size, and there is no per-seat fee or cloud requirement for collaborating.
Version Control & Git
Git Sync is included free for up to 3 users on the Essentials plan; making it available to everyone on the team requires Pro ($12/user/month) or Enterprise. Data syncs as YAML files in your own repository.
Git-native with no user limit and no paid tier. Collections are plain-text files you can branch, merge, and review like any other code, with no additional service required.
When Bruno is the better choice
- ✓You want no account at all - nothing to sign into, even for the full product.
- ✓You prefer one always-local, Git-native model rather than choosing (and converting) between cloud, local, and Git storage per project.
- ✓You want Git-based collaboration that is free for any team size, not capped at 3 users before a paid plan.
- ✓You want a fully open-source tool with no closed-source cloud component.
- ✓You want collections stored as plain-text files on disk by default, versioned with your code, with no export step.
When Insomnia may be the better choice
- •You want a managed, hosted Cloud Sync - including optional end-to-end encryption and cloud collaboration that's free for unlimited users - rather than self-managing collaboration through Git.
- •You rely on Insomnia's built-in API design and mocking features as part of the same tool.
- •Your team standardizes on Kong's API ecosystem and wants tighter integration with it.
Migrating from Insomnia to Bruno
Insomnia exports to JSON (v4) or YAML (v5+), and Bruno imports both - so most teams move over by exporting from Insomnia, importing into Bruno, then committing the result to a repository so it travels with the codebase.
- In Insomnia, export your collection (v4 exports JSON; v5+ exports YAML).
- In Bruno, click the + button and choose Import Collection.
- Drag and drop the exported .json or .yaml file, or browse to it.
- Save the imported collection to a folder in your repository, then commit and push so your team collaborates on it through Git.
Ready to make the switch?
Download BrunoWe're Here for You
Whether you're a solo dev or a massive organization - Bruno is here for you. If you run into an issue, email us at support@usebruno.com and we'll get back in less than 4 hours. If you're interested in account management and customer success, contact our sales team.