As a developer, it is challenging to develop and test an app when you are dependent on a third-party API that is underdeveloped or unavailable. However, you can get rid of this pain point by using a mock REST API for testing.
API mocking is a potent concept that has become a crucial part of the software development and testing cycle. It lets you test a range of probable situations and generates required use cases, and thus, contributes significantly to future-proof your software or app.
Here, we will know some of the best tools to create REST mock API. But first, let’s learn more about REST API and how API helps developers during the development and testing phase.
What Is REST API?
REST stands for REpresentational State Transfer, and API is the acronym for Application Programming Interface. So, REST API refers to any web API that conforms to the architectural style of REST.
Also known as RESTful APIs, these are highly flexible. For this reason, this type of API has become popular for connecting apps and components in an s microservices architecture.
Why Do You Need Mock API for Testing?
The lack of the availability of an original API often causes testing roadblocks. Using mock API means using a virtual or replacement version of an API instead of an actual one.
Though it does not contain several functional/non-functional attributes of an API, it indeed behaves like one because it has basic functionalities needed for thorough testing. Therefore, developers opt for API mock to provide support for incomplete test environments.
In many cases, these mock APIs help you skip the cost of accessing third-party APIs. Moreover, when quality assessment professionals immediately need access to the same test environment, these get the job done without any hassle.
All in all, using mock REST APIs streamlines the test environment with its multiple useful applications.
We have curated a list of top tools that you can use to create a mock REST API.
MockAPI
Using MockAPI, developers can create mock REST APIs through simple data modeling that involves the fast creation of resources and their relationships. It also supports one-click fake customized data generation with faker.js.
You can easily define relations between resources by connecting the nested URLs. Developers also get the freedom to customize the response to a request with tailored JSON. They can also include parent and child resources to the existing ones by editing resource schema.
MockAPI supports both manual and automated data generation after the relationship setup. It also offers features, such as sorting, searching, filtering, and paginating the resource.
This platform is ideal for collaborative work as it lets you share and clone your projects with your teammates. Just add the names of your collaborators who will have the permission to create, update, and delete project resources while using API mock.
Beeceptor
There is no need to spend your valuable time and effort in coding when you can use a mock API for testing. Developers can go for Beeceptor, a zero-coding Rest API mock server.
Here, all you need to do is define the API path, specify matching rules for resources and determine the response payload for mock API endpoints. Moreover, all of its endpoints are HTTPS enabled. Beeceptor also lets you switch between API endpoints or versions even without redeployment.
In this platform, you can create, get, update, and delete endpoint rules in a hassle-free manner. Any changes made to these rules get updated in real-time. Developers can also introduce a response delay that the responders will get after the specified seconds.
It is possible to add multiple mocking rules for one endpoint. When a request comes, it is matched against the rules in the pre-determined order. The platform sends the mocked response according to the first rule that matches.
It also supports sharing examples of requests and responses through unique links for collaboration with teammates. Now, you can simulate and monitor API errors by personalizing the responses.
API Mocha
API Mocha is the platform that allows app developers and system integrators to create a free mock API for testing and prototyping. It promotes quick prototyping of APIs with status codes and customizable responses.
Here you can create an unlimited number of API endpoints. However, it only supports up to 500 API requests every 24 hours. When it comes to endpoint names, you can enter anything between 4 to 25 characters, with no support for special characters.
It accepts submission of all kinds of data, including JSON and XML, using common HTTP request methods for RESTful. What’s more, it does not even need you to sign up. Just create a base URL and get going.
You can download mocked requests in one click from API Mocha. This platform also lets the developers automatically import mock rules from an OpenAPI.
Mockoon
Are you looking for a platform to run mock REST APIs quickly and easily? Opt for Mockoon, a free and open-source platform to create mock APIs in a few seconds. It also does not need you to create an account or perform the remote deployment.
Developers can create any number of mock APIs containing unlimited routes and also run all these simultaneously. This platform comes with an intuitive interface and is suitable to run anywhere with the CLI.
As a result, this app saves you time. Thanks to its compatibility with the OpenAPI specification, the tool supports integration with your API design workflow and other applications you use.
While creating mock APIs, the users get complete flexibility through the features such as custom statuses, HTTPS, route and global headers, and body editor.
Using its advanced features like integration testing, proxying, HTTP request recording, you will learn to address even the most complex situation.
For helping you mimic real-life scenarios, it offers dynamic templates and a system of response rules. You can also intercept the chosen endpoints to integrate this tool with existing APIs.
Mocki
Both frontend and backend developers who need Mock REST API can use Mocki. They can create and deploy mock APIs for software and app development and testing. This platform will help you perfectly design your API by simulating error scenarios, serving static responses, and eliminating dependencies on external services.
Mocki supports multiple API endpoints, and you can monitor the whole process with its powerful dashboard. You can perform 100% isolated testing of your integrations without any external dependencies. It also generates test data you can present to your client or team leader as proof.
With the help of its Open Source CLI, developers can locally run their services without needing an internet connection. They can also synchronize the code repository with their service so that the mock API automatically updates with real-time changes.
You can also simulate random errors and delays in mock API to find out the negative test cases.
Mockable
Mockable is another sample rest API provider that lets you create mock API quickly. The web designing team does not have to wait for the developers and continue their work on this API-oriented development platform.
Developers can create a customized container on this platform named mockable domain where they can add a name and invite others. Creating sub-domains is also feasible if necessary.
If you want, Mockable can also serve the APIs on the DNS domain of your organization. Besides using this configurable service for mock API, you can use it for SOAP web services.
At Mockable, you get both HTTPS and HTTP for a secure and simple API mock. It also comes with the Request Logger feature that helps you monitor real-time mock requests.
Many developers consider it as the ideal mock API platform for teams. You can not only ask your colleagues to join your domain but also manage their activities from the control panel. Being a dependable SaaS application, it supports scalability and improves your efficiency.
Castle Mock
Whether you want to test API integration and system, Castle Mock is here to help you with mock RESTful APIs and SOAP web services. However, developers should only use it on an internal platform and for testing only.
You can use Castle Mock to create WADL, WSDL, Swagger, and RAML based mocked services. It can automatically mock the file-defined web services. It is an open-source platform with an Apache license and is available for free.
Any resource you create on this tool can be mocked multiple times. You can also configure each resource for random and sequence response strategies.
It allows the developers to simulate a server-side behavior completely during an integration test. Response customization is also supported by this platform. On Castle Mock, you can upload up to 20 MB files. If it is not enough, you can extend the file size property using a Java Virtual Machine or JVM argument.
QuickMocker
QuickMocker facilitates an online sample REST API tool for frontend developers, backend developers, testers, and technical leads to help them with the mock server, dummy API, and prototyping.
With it, you can eliminate the dependencies on third-party services or APIs that are still in the development phase and speed up your development work. Bulk endpoint creation is also possible using OpenAPI JSON schema.
To use this platform, no knowledge of backend development is required. Simply provide the response data in common formats like JSON or XML to define your API endpoint.
Apart from creating a mock API for testing, simulating HTTP API and endpoint prototype import from OpenAPI Specifications can also be done quickly.
Some other robust features of this platform are access restriction to the dummy endpoints, proxy for the fake API endpoint, setting multiple HTTP methods for one mock endpoint,
QuickMocker has 100+ contextual or faker response shortcodes that developers can use for response templating. It also provides you with a request log for each project that captures all requests in real-time. This will helps you to debug your apps and webhooks.
Intercept.rest
Are you part of a tester or developer team who needs to start working right away but unfortunately, the necessary API is not ready? Do away with the problem by mocking API responses using Intercept.rest and moving to the original API once it is live or available.
Users can download Windows/Mac/Linux intercept apps to use this platform locally without an internet connection. It lets you view real-time requests and responses and associated data on this platform. These make sure you do not miss any requests.
Teams who choose to use this app will not need to manually share logs and errors, saving their time and significantly improving productivity. Thus, you can even track the rare bugs and errors while successfully reproducing errors to verify fixes.
Moreover, you can switch APIs instantly during development, staging, and production while using intercept. The tool dashboard also allows you to view requests.
For website and mobile app testing, issue tracking is also viable, even if the testing is done from another location. To test every aspect of an API, developers can also simulate unexpected errors, invalid notifications, and long response times using this app.
Conclusion 👩💻
By creating a sample REST API, you can check the functionality of your software or app without using the original API. It works as the perfect solution when the intended API is inaccessible or unavailable for different reasons.
Besides testers, developers and web designers can get benefit from mock APIs. This article discussed a list of the best mock API for testing. While some tools are open-source, you may need to become a subscriber to use some platforms.
You may also want to learn about the best shipping API if you are into API development for the eCommerce industry and need some inspiration.