Akto
Akto is an open-source API security platform that helps you discover all your APIs, detect sensitive data exposure, and find vulnerabilities in your CI/CD pipeline before hackers do.
Postman
Postman is a comprehensive API development platform that simplifies every step of the API lifecycle, from design and testing to documentation and monitoring, to help you build better APIs faster.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Akto | Postman |
|---|---|---|
| Website | akto.io | postman.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 14 days free trial | ✓ 0 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2021 | 2014 |
| Headquarters | Bengaluru, India | San Francisco, USA |
Overview
Akto
Akto is a specialized API security platform designed to help you secure your entire API ecosystem. You can automatically discover every API endpoint in your network, including hidden or 'shadow' APIs that often go undocumented. The platform continuously monitors your traffic to identify where sensitive data like PII or financial info is being exposed, giving you a clear map of your security posture.
You can integrate security testing directly into your development workflow by running over 100 built-in security tests against your APIs. This allows you to catch broken object-level authorization (BOLA) and other common vulnerabilities before they reach production. Whether you are a security engineer or a developer, you can use Akto to automate the tedious parts of API auditing and maintain a robust defense against modern web threats.
Postman
Postman is a centralized platform designed to help you build, test, and manage your APIs with ease. Instead of juggling multiple disconnected tools, you get a unified workspace where you can design API schemas, execute requests, and automate testing workflows. You can simplify complex development tasks by using the intuitive interface to send REST, SOAP, or GraphQL requests and instantly view the responses.
The platform scales with your needs, whether you are an individual developer or part of a massive enterprise team. It enables you to organize your work into collections, share them with teammates, and maintain a single source of truth for your API documentation. With built-in governance and monitoring features, you can ensure your APIs remain performant and secure throughout their entire lifecycle.
Overview
Akto Features
- Automated API Discovery Inventory all your APIs automatically by analyzing network traffic to find shadow APIs and undocumented endpoints instantly.
- Sensitive Data Tracking Identify exactly where sensitive data like passwords or credit card numbers are leaking across your API requests and responses.
- BOLA Detection Run automated tests to find Broken Object Level Authorization flaws, the most critical risk in modern API security today.
- CI/CD Integration Trigger automated security scans within your GitHub or GitLab pipelines to stop vulnerable code from ever being deployed.
- API Traffic Mirroring Analyze real-world traffic patterns without impacting your application performance using seamless mirroring from AWS, Azure, or GCP.
- Custom Test Editor Create your own security tests using a simple YAML-based editor to address unique business logic vulnerabilities in your apps.
Postman Features
- API Client. Send REST, SOAP, or GraphQL requests quickly and inspect responses in a clean, organized interface.
- Automated Testing. Write and run test scripts for your requests to ensure your API stays functional after every code change.
- API Documentation. Generate and publish professional, web-based documentation automatically so your team and customers always have up-to-date info.
- Mock Servers. Simulate API endpoints before your backend is ready so your front-end team can start coding immediately.
- Monitor APIs. Set up scheduled runs to check your API health and performance from different regions around the world.
- Workspaces. Collaborate with your team in shared environments where you can organize collections, environments, and history together.
Pricing Comparison
Akto Pricing
- Up to 50 endpoints
- Automated API discovery
- Basic security tests
- Community support
- Local deployment option
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Unlimited endpoints
- Advanced sensitive data detection
- CI/CD pipeline integration
- Slack and Jira alerts
- Priority email support
Postman Pricing
- Up to 3 users
- Unlimited collections and requests
- Basic API client
- Mock servers (1,000 requests/month)
- Monitoring (1,000 calls/month)
- Documentation access
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Unlimited team members
- 10x more monitoring calls
- 10x more mock server calls
- 30-day recovery of deleted items
- One custom domain
Pros & Cons
Akto
Pros
- Fast setup with immediate visibility into shadow APIs
- Comprehensive library of pre-built security test cases
- Open-source core allows for deep customization
- Strong focus on the OWASP API Top 10
- Easy integration with existing DevOps workflows
Cons
- Initial traffic mirroring setup can be technical
- Pro tier pricing is a significant jump
- Learning curve for writing custom YAML tests
Postman
Pros
- Extremely intuitive interface for sending complex requests
- Excellent collection sharing makes team collaboration simple
- Powerful scripting capabilities for automated test suites
- Comprehensive documentation is generated almost effortlessly
- Generous free tier covers most individual needs
Cons
- Desktop application can be heavy on system resources
- Learning curve for advanced scripting and variables
- Cloud-sync requirements may conflict with strict privacy policies