SoapUI

SmartBear's long-running open-source tool for functional testing of SOAP and REST APIs.

Verified facts: 4 of 4
Alternatives ranked: 6
Approved reviews: 0
Visits sent from here: 0

About SoapUI

SoapUI is one of the oldest API testing tools, maintained by SmartBear, the company behind Swagger. The open-source edition is a Java desktop app for building functional tests against SOAP and REST services, with WSDL and OpenAPI import, assertions, property transfers between steps, Groovy scripting, data-driven tests, service mocking and basic load and security testing, and it can run from the command line in CI. It remains a standard choice in enterprises with SOAP and XML web services. SmartBear's commercial product, ReadyAPI, builds on it with codeless test creation, reporting, integrations, more protocols and team collaboration, sold with a 14-day trial. SoapUI runs on Windows, Mac and Linux. The trade-offs are a dated, heavy interface, a steeper learning curve than modern clients, and many convenience features reserved for ReadyAPI. It suits QA engineers and teams testing SOAP or complex enterprise APIs who want a free, scriptable tool.

Best for: QA engineers testing SOAP and enterprise APIs who want a free, scriptable tool.

What works

Free and open source
Strong SOAP and WSDL support
Groovy scripting and data-driven tests
Runs in CI from the command line

Why people leave

Dated, heavy Java interface
Steep learning curve
Many conveniences are only in paid ReadyAPI

Top SoapUI alternatives

See all 6

1
Karate
Open-source API test automation with readable scripts and parallel runs.
62.6
2
Katalon Studio
Codeless and scripted testing across API, web and mobile.
59.6
3
Postman
A friendlier interface for REST testing with team collaboration.
58.3
4
Insomnia
A lighter desktop client with good SOAP-free REST and GraphQL support.
57.5
5
Apidog
Visual test scenarios, mocks and docs in one modern tool.
57.2

Why people left SoapUI

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SoapUI: common questions

Is SoapUI free?

Yes. SoapUI is free, open-source software.

Is SoapUI open source?

Yes. The source code is on GitHub at SmartBear/soapui.

What platforms does SoapUI run on?

SoapUI is available for Windows, macOS and Linux.

What are the best alternatives to SoapUI?

The highest-ranked SoapUI alternatives right now are Karate, Katalon Studio and Postman. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 6 SoapUI alternatives

SoapUI facts

4 of 4 verified

Open source: Yes; Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab); “Description: SoapUI is a free and open source cross-platform functional testing solution for APIs and web services..”
Protocols: REST, SOAP, GraphQL, JMS; Checked Oct 25, 2026soapui.org(opens source in a new tab); “Supports REST, SOAP, GraphQL, and JMS protocols”
Maker: SmartBear; Checked Oct 25, 2026soapui.org(opens source in a new tab); “As the makers of Swagger and SoapUI”
ReadyAPI trial: 14 days, no card; Checked Oct 25, 2026soapui.org(opens source in a new tab); “Download ReadyAPI 14-day trial, no credit card required”