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I solved a problem that I had at work. I needed a tool to make interacting with HTTP APIs easier, and didn't like any of the existing ones, so I created Insomni

I solved a problem that I had at work. I needed a tool to make interacting with HTTP APIs easier, and didn't like any of the existing ones, so I created Insomnia [https://insomnia.rest/ https://insomnia.rest/]. It took a weekend to build a proof of concept, then I released it to the public. As I improved it, the user base grew slowly. Then, a year later, I was able to quit my job to pursue it full-time. If you're curious, I have an Interview [https://www.indiehackers.com/businesses/insomnia https://www.indiehackers.com/businesses/insomnia] on Indie Hackers with more detail.

shanecleveland 9y ago
I've built a few internal tools for work that have also become publicly-used tools. Nothing generating salary-replacing revenue. But the point is that you may already be doing it, or it may be staring you in the face. Great "ideas" don't have to come from moments of creative brilliance.
guyfawkes303 9y ago
Wow, nice work. Just downloaded and tested it out, I'll definitely be using this.
- gschier 9y ago
  Let me know how it goes :)
brosky117 9y ago
I use Insomnia everyday. Thank you for making it! I shared it with my coworkers and described it as the REST client I would make if I were to make a REST client. Happy to hear it's working out for you :)
- gschier 9y ago
  You're very welcome :)
SirPereira 9y ago
I would be tempted to try it if you could name a few reasons it would be better than Postman. I know the "if it works for you, stick with it" saying, but I would really like to give it a go if it would have better features I may not be aware about! Congrats on the app and being able to work on it full-time! That's a big achievement!
- gschier 9y ago
  I've been wanting to write a blog post on this for a long time, but have failed to come up with a concise way to describe the benefits. I usually say something like "Insomnia is better at being an HTTP client because that's all it does". If you use the less-HTTP-client-like feature of Postman like automated testing or mocking, and enjoy it, then Postman is the tool for you. However, if you don't need those features, Insomnia offers a better experience (my opinion) by means of a simpler, nicer, and easier interface. Oh, and Insomnia is also open source :)
  - Mandatum 9y ago
    Postman-lite.
- dmlittle 9y ago
  Postman's links would replace the response of your request instead of opening in a new tab/window and you would lose the entire response body. This was incredibly annoying and caused me look for alternatives. It came down to Paw or Insomnia and Insomnia was free. The user experience is _far better_ than Postman's. For example, it saves API requests/responses, so you can always see what the last X requests/responses were. Most of my team has moved from using Postman to Insomnia now.
- matmunn14 9y ago
  I've found that Postman doesn't always play very nicely with CORS because it's limited to what Chrome is willing to let it to, Insomnia doesn't have this problem at all so I've made the jump
JoelSanchez 9y ago
Insomnia is the best graphical HTTP client for me. I've been using it and recommending it since the HN announcement. At my previous workplace it sticked and now they also use it everyday. Props for a great product.
tixocloud 9y ago
What a great story. Thanks for sharing and congratulations on your early success - best of luck for more success to come!
- gschier 9y ago
  Thanks for the encouragement!
computerex 9y ago
https://insomnia.rest/eula/ https://insomnia.rest/eula/ > You agree that Floating Keyboard Software may collect and use information gathered in any manner as part of the product support services provided to you, if any, related to Insomnia REST Client. Floating Keyboard Software may also use this information to provide notices to you which may be of use or interest to you. Wait what? I guess I won't be going anywhere near this thing.
- gschier 9y ago
  I'm not quite sure why this worries you but I can tell you what it means. Information collected is generic app usage data like number of launches, most used features, etc. The notices include help tips, feature suggestions, and prompts to upgrade to a Plus plan. The app is completely open source, and you can see everything it's doing here: http://github.com/getinsomnia/insomnia http://github.com/getinsomnia/insomnia
  - deleted 9y ago
    [deleted]
palerdot 9y ago
The main issue I had when trying Insomnia was, everytime I have to create a new request or manually duplicate existing one. With Postman, I can simply edit the existing request and when I execute, I will have both the old and new one in the history. Maybe, It is an issue only for me. But for me this feature is a deal breaker.

shanecleveland 9y ago

I've built a few internal tools for work that have also become publicly-used tools. Nothing generating salary-replacing revenue. But the point is that you may already be doing it, or it may be staring you in the face. Great "ideas" don't have to come from moments of creative brilliance.

guyfawkes303 9y ago

Wow, nice work. Just downloaded and tested it out, I'll definitely be using this.

gschier 9y ago
Let me know how it goes :)

brosky117 9y ago

I use Insomnia everyday. Thank you for making it! I shared it with my coworkers and described it as the REST client I would make if I were to make a REST client. Happy to hear it's working out for you :)

gschier 9y ago
You're very welcome :)

SirPereira 9y ago

I would be tempted to try it if you could name a few reasons it would be better than Postman. I know the "if it works for you, stick with it" saying, but I would really like to give it a go if it would have better features I may not be aware about! Congrats on the app and being able to work on it full-time! That's a big achievement!

gschier 9y ago
I've been wanting to write a blog post on this for a long time, but have failed to come up with a concise way to describe the benefits. I usually say something like "Insomnia is better at being an HTTP client because that's all it does". If you use the less-HTTP-client-like feature of Postman like automated testing or mocking, and enjoy it, then Postman is the tool for you. However, if you don't need those features, Insomnia offers a better experience (my opinion) by means of a simpler, nicer, and easier interface. Oh, and Insomnia is also open source :)
- Mandatum 9y ago
  Postman-lite.
dmlittle 9y ago
Postman's links would replace the response of your request instead of opening in a new tab/window and you would lose the entire response body. This was incredibly annoying and caused me look for alternatives. It came down to Paw or Insomnia and Insomnia was free. The user experience is _far better_ than Postman's. For example, it saves API requests/responses, so you can always see what the last X requests/responses were. Most of my team has moved from using Postman to Insomnia now.
matmunn14 9y ago
I've found that Postman doesn't always play very nicely with CORS because it's limited to what Chrome is willing to let it to, Insomnia doesn't have this problem at all so I've made the jump

JoelSanchez 9y ago

Insomnia is the best graphical HTTP client for me. I've been using it and recommending it since the HN announcement. At my previous workplace it sticked and now they also use it everyday. Props for a great product.

tixocloud 9y ago

What a great story. Thanks for sharing and congratulations on your early success - best of luck for more success to come!

gschier 9y ago
Thanks for the encouragement!

computerex 9y ago

https://insomnia.rest/eula/ https://insomnia.rest/eula/ > You agree that Floating Keyboard Software may collect and use information gathered in any manner as part of the product support services provided to you, if any, related to Insomnia REST Client. Floating Keyboard Software may also use this information to provide notices to you which may be of use or interest to you. Wait what? I guess I won't be going anywhere near this thing.

gschier 9y ago
I'm not quite sure why this worries you but I can tell you what it means. Information collected is generic app usage data like number of launches, most used features, etc. The notices include help tips, feature suggestions, and prompts to upgrade to a Plus plan. The app is completely open source, and you can see everything it's doing here: http://github.com/getinsomnia/insomnia http://github.com/getinsomnia/insomnia
- deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]

palerdot 9y ago

The main issue I had when trying Insomnia was, everytime I have to create a new request or manually duplicate existing one. With Postman, I can simply edit the existing request and when I execute, I will have both the old and new one in the history. Maybe, It is an issue only for me. But for me this feature is a deal breaker.