Postman Download: A Guide to Install and Use the Best API Tool
If you are a developer, tester, or anyone who works with APIs, you might have heard of Postman. Postman is a popular tool that helps you create, test, document, and share your APIs in a simple and efficient way. In this article, we will show you how to download and install Postman on your device, how to use its features and benefits, and what are some alternatives to Postman.
What is Postman and why do you need it?
Postman is an API platform that provides a comprehensive set of tools that help you accelerate the API lifecyclefrom design, testing, documentation, and mocking to the sharing and discoverability of your APIs. Postman simplifies each step of the API development and testing process, and streamlines collaboration so you can create better APIs faster.
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Postman features and benefits
Some of the features and benefits of Postman include:
User-friendliness. With a simple interface, you can quickly create test suites by filling in templates. Postman also provides code snippets that support script creation with examples of validations for response time, response code, etc.
Accessibility. You can access your files seamlessly by logging into your account on any device with the Postman app installed or using the web browser version of Postman.
Data parameterization. You can use variables with parameters to create dynamic requests with different data. These data can be from a data file or an environment variable.
Workflow control. You can control the flow of your API requests by using pre-request scripts, post-request tests, collection runners, monitors, etc.
Collaboration features. You can share your work with other developers by using workspaces, team collections, integrations, etc.
Collection-level information. You can view information about your API collections such as requests, tests, variables, documentation, etc.
API repository. You can easily store, catalog, and collaborate around all your API artifacts on one central platform.
Governance. You can ensure the quality and security of your APIs by using built-in libraries, validators, linters, security checks, etc.
Visualizer. You can visualize your API responses by using charts, graphs, tables, etc.
Postman API. You can programmatically access data stored in your Postman account by using the Postman API.
Postman pricing and plans
You can sign up and get started with Postman for free. Postman also offers a range of paid plans that give you more advanced options and flexibility. The plans are:
Plan
Price
Features
Free
$0/month
Up to 1000 requests per month
Up to 25 collections
Up to 10 workspaces
Up to 5 team members
Student
$8/month
Up to 10,000 requests per month
Up to 50 collections
Up to 25 workspaces
Up to 10 team members
Unlimited mock servers and monitors
Private documentation and API network
Custom domains and webhooks
Team
$15/month per user
Up to 50,000 requests per month per user
Unlimited collections and workspaces
Up to 50 team members
All features of the Student plan plus:
Role-based access control
Audit logs and SSO
Dedicated support and onboarding
Business
$30/month per user
Up to 100,000 requests per month per user
Unlimited collections and workspaces
Up to 100 team members
All features of the Team plan plus:
Customizable API reports and dashboards
Data backup and recovery
Premium integrations and extensions
Enterprise
Contact sales for pricing
Customizable requests per month per user
Unlimited collections and workspaces
Unlimited team members
All features of the Business plan plus:
Dedicated account manager and success engineer
Custom SLA and security review
Enterprise-grade scalability and reliability
Solo (for individuals)
$8/month or $80/year (20% off)
All features of the Free plan plus:
Unlimited requests per month, collections, workspaces, mock servers, monitors, etc.
How to download and install Postman on your device?
You can download and install Postman on your device in different ways depending on your preferences and needs. Here are some of the options you can choose from:
Download Postman app for Windows, Mac, or Linux
If you want to use Postman as a standalone app on your desktop or laptop, you can download the Postman app for Windows, Mac, or Linux from the official website. The app is compatible with Windows 7 or later, Mac OS X 10.10 or later, and Linux distributions that support AppImage. To install the app, follow these steps:
Go to the Postman website and click on the Download button for your operating system.
Save the file to your preferred location.
If you are using Windows, double-click on the file and follow the instructions to complete the installation. If you are using Mac, drag and drop the file into your Applications folder. If you are using Linux, make the file executable by running chmod a+x Postman-linux-x64-*.AppImage in your terminal..
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Launch the app from your desktop or start menu.
Login or create an account to start using Postman.
Download Postman agent for web browser
If you prefer to use Postman in your web browser, you can download the Postman agent for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. The agent is a small application that runs in the background and enables the browser version of Postman to communicate with your local APIs. To install the agent, follow these steps:
Go to the Postman website and click on the Try Postman button.
Select your preferred web browser and click on the Install button.
Follow the instructions to add the Postman extension to your browser.
Launch the extension from your browser toolbar and click on the Download Agent button.
Save the file to your preferred location and run it to install the agent.
Launch the agent from your desktop or start menu and sign in with your Postman account.
Go back to your browser and refresh the Postman tab. You should see a green icon indicating that the agent is connected.
Download Postman CLI for command-line interface
If you want to use Postman from your command-line interface, you can download the Postman CLI tool. The CLI tool is a Node.js module that allows you to run and test your API requests using commands. To install the CLI tool, follow these steps:
Make sure you have Node.js and npm installed on your device. You can check by running node -v and npm -v in your terminal. If not, you can download them from here.
Run npm install -g postman-cli in your terminal to install the CLI tool globally.
Run postman-cli --help in your terminal to see the available commands and options.
To use the CLI tool, you need to export your API collection as a JSON file from the Postman app or web browser. You can do this by clicking on the Export button in the collection menu and selecting Collection v2.1 as the format.
Save the JSON file to your preferred location and run postman-cli run [filename] in your terminal to execute the collection.
Download Postman Canary for early access to new features
If you want to try out the latest features and updates of Postman before they are released to the public, you can download the Postman Canary app. The Canary app is a beta version of Postman that runs alongside the stable version of Postman. You can use both apps simultaneously without affecting each other's data. To download and install the Canary app, follow these steps:
Go to this link and click on the Download button for your operating system.
Save the file to your preferred location and run it to install the Canary app.
Launch the Canary app from your desktop or start menu and sign in with your Postman account.
You can switch between the Canary app and the stable app by clicking on their icons in your taskbar or dock.
Download Newman for command-line collection runner
If you want to run and test your API collections from your command-line interface, you can download Newman. Newman is a Node.js module that allows you to run collections with different configurations, environments, reporters, etc. To install Newman, follow these steps:
Make sure you have Node.js and npm installed on your device. You can check by running node -v and npm -v in your terminal. If not, you can download them from here.
Run npm install -g newman in your terminal to install Newman globally.
To use Newman, you need to export your API collection as a JSON file from the Postman app or web browser. You can do this by clicking on the Export button in the collection menu and selecting Collection v2.1 as the format.
You can also export your environment as a JSON file if you want to use variables in your collection. You can do this by clicking on the Export button in the environment menu and selecting Environment as the format.
Save the JSON files to your preferred location and run newman run [collection-file] -e [environment-file] in your terminal to execute the collection with the environment.
How to use Postman to create and test APIs?
Now that you have downloaded and installed Postman on your device, you might be wondering how to use it to create and test APIs. Here are some of the basic steps you need to follow:
Create a Postman account and workspace
To use Postman, you need to create an account and a workspace. An account allows you to access your data across devices and platforms, and a workspace allows you to organize and share your API projects. To create an account and a workspace, follow these steps:
Launch the Postman app or web browser version and click on the Sign Up button.
Enter your email address and password, or sign in with Google or GitHub.
Verify your email address by clicking on the link sent to your inbox.
Choose a username and avatar for your profile.
Choose a plan for your account. You can start with the free plan and upgrade later if needed.
Create a workspace by entering a name and description. You can choose between a personal workspace or a team workspace depending on your needs.
Invite other members to join your workspace if you want to collaborate with them.
Import or create an API request
To create and test an API, you need to import or create an API request. A request is a message that tells the server what you want to do with the API. You can import an existing request from a file, URL, or code snippet, or you can create a new request from scratch. To import or create a request, follow these steps:
Click on the Import button in the top left corner of the Postman app or web browser version.
Select the source of your request. You can choose from file, folder, link, raw text, or code generate.
Browse or enter the location of your request source and click on the Import button.
You should see your request in the Postman app or web browser version. You can edit the request details such as method, URL, parameters, headers, body, etc.
If you want to create a new request from scratch, click on the New button in the top left corner of the Postman app or web browser version.
Select Request from the options and enter a name and description for your request.
Select or create a collection to save your request. A collection is a group of related requests that you can organize and run together.
Enter the request details such as method, URL, parameters, headers, body, etc.
Send and inspect the API response
To test your API request, you need to send it to the server and inspect the response. A response is a message that tells you what the server did with your request. You can view the status code, time, size, headers, body, cookies, etc. of the response. To send and inspect the response, follow these steps:
Click on the Send button in the top right corner of the Postman app or web browser version.
You should see the response below the request in the Postman app or web browser version. You can switch between different tabs to view different aspects of the response.
The Status tab shows you the status code and message of the response. The status code is a number that indicates whether the request was successful or not. The status message is a brief explanation of what the status code means.
The Time tab shows you how long it took for the server to process and return the response.
The Size tab shows you how much data was transferred between the client and the server.
The Headers tab shows you the metadata of the response such as content-type, date, server, etc.
The Body tab shows you the actual data of the response such as JSON, XML, HTML, etc.
The Cookies tab shows you any cookies that were set or received by the server.
Add test scripts and variables
To automate and enhance your API testing process, you can add test scripts and variables to your requests and collections. Test scripts are snippets of code that run before or after your requests and perform various tasks such as validations, assertions, data extraction, etc. Variables are placeholders for values that change depending on different factors such as environment, data file, iteration, etc. To add test scripts and variables, follow these steps:
Select your request or collection in the Postman app or web browser version.
Click on the Tests tab below your request or collection.
Enter your test script in JavaScript using the built-in libraries such as pm, chai, etc. You can also use the snippets on the right side to generate common test cases.
Click on the Save button to save your test script.
Click on the Variables tab below your request or collection.
Enter your variable name, initial value, and current value. You can also use the Manage Environments option to create and select different environments with different variables.
Click on the Save button to save your variable.
To use your test script and variable in your request, you can use the syntax variable_name for variables and pm.test("test_name", function() ...) for test scripts.
Organize and share your API collections
To manage and collaborate on your API projects, you can organize and share your API collections with other developers. You can use workspaces, folders, tags, documentation, etc. to organize your collections. You can also use team collections, integrations, public links, etc. to share your collections. To organize and share your collections, follow these steps:
Select your collection in the Postman app or web browser version.
Click on the Edit button in the collection menu.
In the Edit Collection window, you can edit the name, description, authorization, pre-request script, test script, etc. of your collection.
You can also add folders and tags to your collection by clicking on the Add Folder or Add Tag buttons.
You can also generate documentation for your collection by clicking on the Generate Collection Documentation button.
Click on the Update button to save your changes.
To share your collection with other developers, you can click on the Share button in the collection menu.
In the Share Collection window, you can choose between different options such as team workspace, public link, embed code, run in Postman button, etc.
Select the option that suits your needs and follow the instructions to share your collection.
What are some alternatives to Postman?
Postman is not the only tool that you can use to create and test APIs. There are some alternatives that offer similar or different features and benefits. Here are some of them:
Insomnia REST Client
Insomnia REST Client is an open-source tool that allows you to design, debug, and test APIs using a simple and intuitive interface. Some of the features of Insomnia REST Client include:
Support for GraphQL, gRPC, WebSocket, OAuth 2.0, etc.
Data synchronization across devices and platforms
Code generation for various languages and frameworks
Data import and export from various formats and sources
Custom themes and plugins
Testfully
Testfully is a cloud-based tool that helps you create, run, and monitor API tests using a codeless interface. Some of the features of Testfully include:
AI-powered test creation and maintenance
Distributed test execution and scheduling
Real-time performance and availability monitoring
Data-driven testing and reporting
Collaboration and integration features
RapidAPI for Mac
RapidAPI for Mac is a native Mac app that allows you to discover, connect, and test APIs from a large marketplace of over 20,000 APIs. Some of the features of RapidAPI for Mac include:
Built-in code snippets for various languages and frameworks
API key management and authentication
Response visualization and validation
Data export and import from various formats and sources
Favorites and history features
Other options
Some other options that you can consider are:
Curl: A command-line tool that allows you to transfer data using various protocols such as HTTP, FTP, SMTP, etc.
SoapUI: A tool that allows you to create functional, security, performance, and load tests for SOAP and REST APIs.
Paw: A Mac app that allows you to build HTTP requests, inspect server responses, generate client code, etc.
Restlet Client: A Chrome extension that allows you to create and execute API requests, organize them into projects, synchronize them across devices , etc.
Conclusion
Postman is a powerful and versatile tool that helps you create, test, document, and share your APIs in a simple and efficient way. You can download and install Postman on your device in different ways depending on your preferences and needs. You can also use Postman to create and test APIs using various features and benefits such as test scripts, variables, collections, etc. Postman also offers a range of pricing and plans that suit different use cases and budgets. However, Postman is not the only tool that you can use to create and test APIs. There are some alternatives that offer similar or different features and benefits that you can consider.
We hope this article has helped you understand how to download and use Postman for your API projects. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact us or leave a comment below.
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Postman download:
Is Postman free?
Postman offers a free plan that allows you to use up to 1000 requests per month, 25 collections, 10 workspaces, 5 team members, etc. You can also upgrade to a paid plan that gives you more advanced options and flexibility.
How do I update Postman?
If you are using the Postman app, you can check for updates by clicking on the Settings icon in the top right corner of the app and selecting Update. If there is an update available, you can download and install it. If you are using the Postman web browser version, you can refresh the page to get the latest version.
How do I uninstall Postman?
If you want to uninstall Postman from your device, you can follow these steps:
If you are using Windows, go to Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program and select Postman from the list. Click on the Uninstall button and follow the instructions to complete the process.
If you are using Mac, go to Applications folder and drag and drop the Postman app into the Trash. Empty the Trash to complete the process.
If you are using Linux, go to your terminal and run rm -rf /.config/Postman to remove the app data. Then run rm /Postman-linux-x64-*.AppImage to remove the app file.
How do I export my data from Postman?
If you want to export your data from Postman such as collections, environments, globals, etc., you can follow these steps:
Select your data in the Postman app or web browser version.
Click on the Export button in the data menu.
Select the format and version of your data.
Save the file to your preferred location.
How do I import my data into Postman?
If you want to import your data into Postman such as collections, environments, globals, etc., you can follow these steps:
Click on the Import button in the top left corner of the Postman app or web browser version.
Select the source of your data. You can choose from file, folder, link, raw text, or code generate.
Browse or enter the location of your data source and click on the Import button.
You should see your data in the Postman app or web browser version.
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