If you write or develop APIs, then the chances are that you’re familiar with Postman and Newman. But do you really understand which of these tools is better for your development needs?
In this post, we’ll explore both technologies side by side so you can determine which one best meets your requirements. We’ll provide comparisons across key features such as support for API request & response formats, authentication technology options, and usage limits.
Armed with all of this information, you’ll be able to confidently choose Postman or Newman as the preferred toolkit to power your API development tasks.
Overview of postman and Newman
Postman and Newman are two powerful tools that have gained popularity among developers for their efficiency in testing and development.
Postman is a user-friendly API client that allows developers to create, test, and manage their APIs with ease. It offers tools for designing, testing, and debugging APIs, and it provides a user-friendly interface that allows developers to collaborate and share their work.
Newman, on the other hand, is a command-line tool that runs Postman collections, allowing developers to automate API testing and execution. Together, these two tools simplify the process of building and testing APIs, making it quicker and easier for developers to create high-quality applications.
Comparison Table of Postman vs Newman
| Feature | Postman | Newman |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | Graphical User Interface (GUI) | Command Line Interface (CLI) |
| Usage | Primarily for development and debugging | Primarily for automation in CI/CD pipelines |
| Testing | Test scripts can be written and executed in the GUI | Test scripts executed from the command line |
| Environment Variables | Created and managed directly in the GUI | Provided via JSON files or command line options |
| Collaboration | Built-in collaboration features for teams | Indirect collaboration via shared collections and integration with source control systems |
| Monitoring | Built-in monitoring feature | No built-in monitoring feature, but can be achieved with scripting and scheduling systems |
| Integration | Direct integration with some third-party applications | Easier to integrate into most CI/CD pipelines due to its command-line nature |
| Reporting | Results can be viewed and analyzed directly in the GUI | Several reporting options available, including CLI, JSON, HTML, and Junit reports |
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Differences between Postman vs Newman
Interface
Postman boasts a user-friendly graphical interface that simplifies the process of building, testing, and monitoring API requests. Its intuitive design allows users to effortlessly input data and modify headers and parameters.
On the other hand, Newman is a command-line collection runner for Postman, which eliminates the need for a graphical interface. This is especially convenient for developers who are more comfortable using the command-line interface or for situations where a GUI is unnecessary.
Testing
Postman offers a range of testing options and allows users to write tests using JavaScript directly in the app. It also allows you to write pre-request and test scripts for in-depth API testing.
Newman was built with a focus on continuous integration, making it easy to embed into build systems or continuous integration servers. Running and testing a Postman collection directly from the command line is a breeze with Newman.
Usage
Postman, with its user-friendly GUI, is widely used in development environments for visual testing and debugging. From managing different environments, variables, and requests, Postman makes the job easier and efficient.
On the other hand, Newman is perfect for build systems and continuous integration, where automation is of utmost importance. The tool is generally used as part of a CI/CD pipeline, making it a highly popular choice for developers around the world.
Environment Variables
When it comes to managing environment variables, Postman has the upper hand. Their interface allows you to easily create and manage variables without having to leave the app. You can also switch between different environments effortlessly, allowing for a smooth transition between development, staging, and production settings.
Newman requires you to provide environment variables via JSON files or command line options when running collections. While this may seem daunting to some, others may prefer the added flexibility it provides.
Collaboration
Postman’s collaboration features allow teams to share collections and environments, making it easy to collaborate on APIs and maintain a single source of truth.
Newman lacks built-in collaboration features due to its command-line interface. However, collections can still be shared across teams, and when paired with source control systems like Git, it can still support collaboration indirectly.
Monitoring
Tracking the performance and response of API collections is a crucial part of maintaining efficient workflows. Both Postman and Newman offer solutions for monitoring, but with a slight difference in their approach.
Postman’s built-in “Monitors” feature is a convenient option that allows users to automate the process by running collections periodically.
On the other hand, Newman doesn’t come with this feature pre-installed. However, it does allow users to customize their own scripts and scheduling systems to achieve similar functionality.
Integration
Postman offers direct integration with some third-party applications, which can be a huge selling point for some users. However, it might require manual setup and maintenance to integrate with other systems.
Newman is a command-line tool, making it easy to integrate into most CI/CD pipelines or any system that can run a shell command. This difference in approach can ultimately affect which tool is the best fit for your specific project and needs.
Similarities of Postman vs Newman
If you’re a developer who works with APIs, chances are you’ve heard of Postman and Newman. These two tools serve similar purposes but have some key differences. However, they also share many similarities that make them essential parts of any API developer’s toolkit.
For example, both Postman and Newman can run collections of pre-configured API requests, allowing you to quickly test and debug your API.
They also both support the use of environment variables and data-driven testing, making it easy to reuse values and run the same requests with different input data.
Additionally, Postman and Newman both offer ways to generate reports, although in slightly different formats.
Finally, they both allow for extensive customization through scripting and can handle a wide range of HTTP request methods and authorization methods.