Pico API vs Postman

	Pico API	Postman
Runs where	Chrome tab / extension	Desktop app or web + login
Account required	No	Yes
Data location	Local browser (IndexedDB)	Cloud sync by default
Setup time	One click from the store	Install + sign up + workspace
Request builder	All methods, headers, params, auth	Full-featured
Body formats	JSON, XML, text, urlencoded, form-data	Full-featured
Streaming (SSE) live view	Built-in, real-time	Limited
Scripts & tests	pm.* API (Postman-style)	Full JS runtime
cURL import	Paste & parse	Import wizard
OpenAPI / ApiFox import	Yes	OpenAPI yes
Team collaboration	—	Yes (paid tiers)
Mock servers / monitors	—	Yes
Price	Free	Free tier + paid plans

Comparison based on Postman's public free-tier feature set as of 2026.

When to pick which

Pick Pico API if you test your own APIs daily, value local-first privacy, and want something that opens as fast as a browser tab.
Pick Postman if your team shares collections through the cloud, or you need mock servers, monitors, and API governance.
Use both — plenty of developers keep a heavyweight client for team work and a light one for quick checks. Pico API is the quick one.

FAQ

Is Pico API a free Postman alternative?

Yes. Pico API is free with all features included — request builder, environments, scripts, import and export. There is no account, no team plan, and no cloud sync to pay for.

Does Pico API support Postman scripts and tests?

Yes. Pre-request and post-response scripts use the Postman-style pm.* API, including pm.test assertions, pm.environment, pm.globals and pm.variables.

Can I import my Postman or cURL requests?

You can paste any cURL command and Pico API reconstructs the request. OpenAPI/Swagger specs and ApiFox projects import as collections.

Where is my data stored?

Everything — collections, environments, history — is stored locally in your browser via IndexedDB. Nothing is uploaded, and there are no analytics or ads. See the privacy policy.