Free Alternatives to Paid Dev Tools: Figma, Postman & More
Discover powerful free alternatives to expensive development tools that deliver professional results without breaking your budget.
Development tools can quickly drain your budget, with subscriptions ranging from $10 to hundreds of dollars per month per user. Whether you're a solo developer, startup founder, or part of a growing team, these costs add up fast. The good news? High-quality free alternatives exist for nearly every paid tool in your stack.
This comprehensive guide examines the best free alternatives to popular paid development tools, focusing on Postman, Figma, and other essential software. We'll compare features, highlight pros and cons, and help you make informed decisions about which tools best fit your workflow.
API Testing & Development
| Tool | Pricing | Best For |
|---|---|---|
Hoppscotch hoppscotch.io | Free & Open Source | Individual developers and small teams who want a lightweight, fast API testing tool |
Insomnia insomnia.rest | Free tier available | Developers working heavily with GraphQL APIs |
Thunder Client VS Code Extension | Free | VS Code users who want API testing without leaving their editor |
Hoppscotch
Individual developers and small teams who want a lightweight, fast API testing tool
✓ Pros
- •Clean, modern interface with no learning curve
- •Real-time collaboration features built-in
- •PWA support works offline
- •GraphQL, WebSocket, and REST support
- •Self-hostable for team privacy
✗ Cons
- •Fewer enterprise integrations than Postman
- •Collection organization less mature
- •Limited pre-request scripting capabilities
Insomnia
Developers working heavily with GraphQL APIs
✓ Pros
- •Excellent GraphQL support with auto-completion
- •Built-in code generation for multiple languages
- •Environment variable management
- •Plugin ecosystem for extensibility
✗ Cons
- •Premium features require paid plan
- •Sync features limited on free tier
- •Heavier application than alternatives
Thunder Client
VS Code users who want API testing without leaving their editor
✓ Pros
- •Integrated directly into VS Code
- •Lightweight with minimal resource usage
- •Collections stored as JSON files
- •No account required
✗ Cons
- •Limited to VS Code users only
- •Basic feature set compared to standalone tools
- •No web interface for sharing
Design & Prototyping
| Tool | Pricing | Best For |
|---|---|---|
Penpot penpot.app | Free & Open Source | Teams prioritizing open standards and data ownership |
Figma (Free Tier) figma.com | Free for individuals | Individual designers and freelancers |
Canva (Dev Mode) canva.com | Free tier available | Quick mockups and marketing design work |
Penpot
Teams prioritizing open standards and data ownership
✓ Pros
- •True open-source with SVG standards
- •Self-hosting option for complete control
- •Real-time collaboration like Figma
- •No vendor lock-in with open file formats
- •Growing plugin ecosystem
✗ Cons
- •Smaller community and fewer resources
- •Plugin library not as extensive
- •Some advanced features still in development
Figma (Free Tier)
Individual designers and freelancers
✓ Pros
- •Industry-standard tool with massive community
- •Unlimited personal files and collaborators
- •Extensive plugin and template library
- •FigJam whiteboarding included
✗ Cons
- •Limited to 3 projects on free tier
- •No version history beyond 30 days
- •Advanced features require paid plans
Canva (Dev Mode)
Quick mockups and marketing design work
✓ Pros
- •User-friendly with drag-and-drop interface
- •Massive template library
- •Basic prototyping capabilities
- •Great for marketing materials
✗ Cons
- •Not purpose-built for UI/UX design
- •Limited component system
- •Less precise control than dedicated tools
Database Management
| Tool | Pricing | Best For |
|---|---|---|
DBeaver dbeaver.io | Free & Open Source | Developers working with multiple database types |
TablePlus tableplus.com | Free tier (2 tabs, 2 windows) | Mac users wanting a polished database client |
DBeaver
Developers working with multiple database types
✓ Pros
- •Supports virtually every database (SQL and NoSQL)
- •ER diagrams and visual query builder
- •Data transfer and migration tools
- •SQL editor with auto-completion
✗ Cons
- •Interface can feel cluttered
- •Slower performance with large datasets
- •Some features only in Enterprise edition
TablePlus
Mac users wanting a polished database client
✓ Pros
- •Beautiful, native macOS/Windows interface
- •Fast and lightweight
- •Supports 20+ database types
- •Intuitive design
✗ Cons
- •Free version very limited
- •No Linux support
- •Full version requires purchase
Screen Recording & Documentation
| Tool | Pricing | Best For |
|---|---|---|
OBS Studio obsproject.com | Free & Open Source | Professional recordings and live streaming |
ShareX getsharex.com | Free & Open Source (Windows) | Windows users needing versatile screenshot tools |
OBS Studio
Professional recordings and live streaming
✓ Pros
- •Professional-grade recording capabilities
- •Live streaming support
- •Extensive plugin ecosystem
- •No watermarks or time limits
✗ Cons
- •Steeper learning curve
- •Requires manual setup
- •No built-in hosting or sharing
ShareX
Windows users needing versatile screenshot tools
✓ Pros
- •Screen capture, GIF recording, and annotation
- •OCR text recognition
- •Automatic uploads to 80+ destinations
- •Workflow automation
✗ Cons
- •Windows only
- •Complex interface for beginners
- •Not focused on video recording
Project Management
| Tool | Pricing | Best For |
|---|---|---|
Plane plane.so | Free & Open Source | Dev teams wanting a modern, self-hosted solution |
Taiga taiga.io | Free for public projects | Agile teams with public or open-source projects |
Plane
Dev teams wanting a modern, self-hosted solution
✓ Pros
- •Modern, fast interface
- •Self-hostable with Docker
- •Kanban, list, and calendar views
- •GitHub integration
✗ Cons
- •Younger project with evolving features
- •Smaller community than alternatives
- •Documentation still growing
Taiga
Agile teams with public or open-source projects
✓ Pros
- •Designed specifically for agile teams
- •Scrum and Kanban support
- •Time tracking and reporting
- •Self-hosting available
✗ Cons
- •Private projects limited on free tier
- •Smaller feature set than Jira
- •Less active development recently
Making the Switch: Key Considerations
Team Size and Collaboration Needs
Free tools often excel for individual developers and small teams but may lack enterprise features like SSO, advanced permissions, or dedicated support. Evaluate your current and future team size before committing.
Data Sovereignty and Privacy
Open-source, self-hostable alternatives like Penpot and Plane give you complete control over your data. This matters significantly for agencies handling client work or companies in regulated industries.
Integration Ecosystem
Paid tools often have hundreds of integrations. Before switching, verify that your free alternative connects with your existing workflow tools or offers API access for custom integrations.
Learning Curve and Migration Effort
Factor in the time investment required to learn new tools and migrate existing projects. Some alternatives offer import features that can streamline this process significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are free alternatives really as good as paid tools?
Many free alternatives match or exceed paid tools in core functionality. Tools like Hoppscotch rival Postman for API testing, and Penpot provides design capabilities comparable to Figma. However, paid tools typically offer more enterprise features, integrations, and dedicated support.
What's the best free alternative to Postman?
Hoppscotch is the top choice for most developers, offering a modern interface, real-time collaboration, and support for REST, GraphQL, and WebSocket APIs. For VS Code users, Thunder Client provides seamless integration directly in your editor. Insomnia excels if you work primarily with GraphQL.
Which free Figma alternative should I choose?
Penpot is the best true alternative for teams wanting open-source design tools with real-time collaboration. If you're an individual designer, Figma's free tier itself offers unlimited files and collaborators. For quick mockups without learning curve, Canva provides basic prototyping capabilities.
Can I use these free tools for commercial projects?
Yes, all open-source tools listed here allow commercial use. Always check the specific license (most use MIT, Apache 2.0, or similar permissive licenses). Free tiers of proprietary software like Figma and Insomnia also permit commercial use within their usage limits.
How do I migrate from paid tools to free alternatives?
Most free alternatives offer import features. Hoppscotch can import Postman collections, Penpot can import Figma files (with some limitations), and DBeaver connects to any database your current tool manages. Start by running tools in parallel, then gradually migrate projects once comfortable.
Start Saving Today
Switching to free alternatives can save your team thousands of dollars annually without sacrificing functionality. Start with one tool, evaluate it for a week, and expand from there. Most developers find free alternatives not just adequate, but often superior in specific workflows.
The open-source community continues to build incredible tools that challenge paid software dominance. By choosing free alternatives, you're not just saving money—you're supporting sustainable, community-driven development that benefits everyone.