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Bruno

by Bruno Software · Application · also known as usebruno

Open-source, offline-first API client that stores collections as plain-text .bru files in a Git repository, with a CLI for running requests in CI

MIT licenseOpen sourceFreeFreemiumPaidLocal
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Link verified Nov 2, 2026

Overview

Bruno is a desktop API client developed by Bruno Software and released under the MIT license. Its defining design decision is storage: collections live as folders of plain-text files written in Bru, a small markup language, directly on disk, so requests, environments and tests are versioned and reviewed with Git like any other source file. There is no mandatory account and no cloud synchronization; collaboration happens through the repository.

Bruno supports HTTP and GraphQL requests, environments and secrets, scripting and assertions in JavaScript, OpenAPI and Postman collection import, and a command-line runner for CI pipelines. The client runs on macOS, Windows and Linux. The company offers paid tiers that add features for teams while the core application remains free and open source. Limitations are a narrower protocol range than Postman (no native gRPC or WebSocket parity at the same depth), a smaller ecosystem of integrations, and a file format specific to Bruno, although import and export paths exist.

Capabilities

  • Plain-text collections stored in Git-friendly files
  • Offline operation without an account
  • Environments, secrets and variables
  • JavaScript scripting and assertions
  • OpenAPI and Postman import
  • CLI runner for CI pipelines

Typical workflows

  1. Keep API requests beside the service code in the same repository
  2. Review request changes in pull requests
  3. Run collection tests in CI with the CLI

Strengths

  • Data stays local and under version control
  • Open source under MIT
  • Lightweight compared with cloud-first clients

Limitations

  • Fewer protocols and integrations than Postman
  • Bru format is specific to the tool
  • Team features in paid tiers

Prerequisites

  • macOS, Windows or Linux desktop

Who it is for

  • Developers who want API collections in Git
  • Privacy-conscious teams

Alternatives & comparison

Postman offers broader protocol support and cloud collaboration at the cost of proprietary sync; Hoppscotch is a browser-based open-source client that can be self-hosted. Bruno is the choice when collections must be plain files reviewed through Git.

  • Hoppscotch

    Open-source API client that runs in the browser or as a desktop app, supports REST, GraphQL and realtime protocols, and can be self-hosted for teams

    Open sourceOpen source
  • Postman

    Commercial API platform for designing, testing, documenting and monitoring HTTP and other APIs through a desktop and web client with cloud-synced workspaces

    ProprietaryFreemium
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Sources & verification

Primary sources consulted for this record. Claims are tied to the fields each source supports; the automated link checker re-verifies every URL on a schedule.

Confidence
High
Reviewed
Nov 1, 2026
Links
Verified · Nov 2, 2026

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