Comparisons
Pick the right fake API or test data tool.
Need a fake REST API for testing? JSONPlaceholder, DummyJSON and ReqRes answer HTTP calls with fake data, and JSON Server runs one on your machine from your own file. Payloads is not a fake API. It serves fixed sample files for code that only reads data.
Quick answer
Which tool fits your test
| What your test needs | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Read-only sample data in JSON, XML, CSV, YAML, MessagePack or CBOR with fixed bytes | Payloads | Versioned static files, a SHA-256 manifest and CC0 data |
| A familiar fake REST API with faked writes | JSONPlaceholder | Six related resources, every HTTP method, no signup |
| Rich fake data with pagination, search and login | DummyJSON | Products, carts and recipes, JWT login and delays |
| A hosted API where test data persists | ReqRes | Project collections with an API key and request logs |
| A fake REST API on your own machine | JSON Server | GET, POST, PUT, PATCH and DELETE routes from a local db.json |
| Status codes, redirects, delays or request inspection | httpbin | An HTTP request and response service |
| Custom fields and many generated rows | Mockaroo | A generator for fields you define; its API needs a key |
| Images, video, audio, office documents or large files | loremfile.dev or another sample file site | Hundreds of files across many formats and sizes |
JSONPlaceholder
Payloads is a JSONPlaceholder alternative when your code only reads data and you need more formats than JSON or exact bytes you can pin. Keep JSONPlaceholder when your code sends POST, PUT, PATCH or DELETE requests or needs its larger resources.
Read comparison ComparisonDummyJSON
Payloads replaces DummyJSON only when you need a few known records in more formats than JSON, with bytes you can pin. For product, cart and recipe data, pagination, search, login or delays, DummyJSON is the better fit.
Read comparison ComparisonReqRes
Payloads replaces ReqRes only for reading sample records. ReqRes is a hosted REST API with demo login and register endpoints, pagination, delays and, with an API key, data that persists between requests.
Read comparison Comparisonhttpbin
Payloads does not replace httpbin. httpbin tests how your client handles HTTP itself, while Payloads gives it known response bodies and files to decode.
Read comparison ComparisonMockaroo
Payloads replaces Mockaroo only when a small fixed dataset is enough. Mockaroo generates custom realistic data and mock APIs, while Payloads serves the same small files to everyone with no account or key.
Read comparison ComparisonSample file sites
Sample file sites have far more formats and sizes than Payloads, including images, video, audio, office documents and multi-megabyte files. Payloads has a few small data files, but every one has a fixed URL, a published SHA-256, open CORS and a CC0 licence.
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