k6 vs Postman:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, k6 had more branded searches than Postman among API testing tools worldwide. k6 had about 87,500 branded searches, while Postman had 22,900. k6 made up 37.5% of all API testing tool searches we track, and Postman accounted for 9.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about API testing tools, Postman appeared in all five answers and k6 in three. Postman was mentioned before k6 in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
k6, about 4 searches for every 1 for Postman
Who does AI mention more?
Postman, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Postman, named ahead of k6 in every answer
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Top API testing tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Postman appeared in all five answers. k6 was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Postman was listed before k6 in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Postman1st
Bruno2nd
Karate3rd
SoapUI4th
Insomnia5th
Playwright6th
Katalon7th- k68th
Hoppscotch9th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Postman5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- SoapUI4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Bruno4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Karate4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- k63 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Playwright2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Katalon2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Insomnia2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Hoppscotch1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about API testing tools
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which API testing tool should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best API testing tools?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best API testing tool for qa teams?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“api testing tools”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“api test software”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is k6 or Postman more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for k6 and Postman by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine API testing tools we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for k6, Postman. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | k6 | Playwright | SoapUI | Postman | Bruno | Katalon | Insomnia | Karate | Hoppscotch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 26.3% | 15.4% | 18.3% | 13.2% | 9.3% | 6.7% | 8.9% | 1.3% | 0.77% |
| Nov 2025 | 29.9% | 17.9% | 17% | 13.2% | 7% | 6.2% | 6.9% | 1.4% | 0.71% |
| Dec 2025 | 28.5% | 19.2% | 16.2% | 13.3% | 8.1% | 5.9% | 6.7% | 1.3% | 0.7% |
| Jan 2026 | 30% | 20.6% | 13.9% | 11.9% | 8.6% | 6.2% | 6.7% | 1.2% | 0.87% |
| Feb 2026 | 29.9% | 19.4% | 13.9% | 13.2% | 10.5% | 5.1% | 5.7% | 1.4% | 0.89% |
| Mar 2026 | 27.4% | 18.5% | 15.3% | 11.9% | 11.6% | 5.6% | 7.4% | 1.3% | 1% |
| Apr 2026 | 29.3% | 20.1% | 13.6% | 13% | 10.3% | 6.1% | 5.5% | 1.1% | 0.89% |
| May 2026 | 31.1% | 19.2% | 14.4% | 11.2% | 11.2% | 5.3% | 5.6% | 1.1% | 0.8% |
| Jun 2026 | 31.3% | 21.7% | 14.3% | 11.6% | 9.1% | 5.2% | 4.8% | 1.2% | 0.91% |
| Jul 2026 | 32.6% | 19.9% | 12.2% | 12% | 11.6% | 4.4% | 5.1% | 1.2% | 0.93% |
| Aug 2026 | 33.1% | 22.1% | 12.4% | 11.8% | 9.6% | 4.5% | 4.3% | 1.1% | 1.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 37.5% | 21% | 11.6% | 9.8% | 9% | 5.2% | 3.9% | 0.99% | 0.91% |
How has the k6 and Postman comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- k6 was ahead of Postman in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, k6’s share of searches among API testing tools worldwide moved from 26.3% to 37.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 71.5K to 87.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Postman’s share of searches among API testing tools worldwide moved from 13.2% to 9.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 35.7K to 22.9K.
How did search popularity change for API testing tools worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, k6 gained share of searches among API testing tools worldwide, from 33.1% to 37.5%.
In September 2026, Postman lost share of searches among API testing tools worldwide, from 11.8% to 9.8%.
How are branded searches counted?
6 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using k6’s and Postman’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among API testing tools
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