API Spector vs Kreya
Short version: Kreya is an API client with especially deep gRPC support. API
Spector now speaks gRPC too (unary and server-streaming, from a .proto), on top
of REST/HTTP, GraphQL, SOAP, and WebSockets, and adds mock servers, contract
testing, and test-code export. Kreya still goes deeper on gRPC (client and
bidirectional streaming, server reflection); API Spector covers the common cases
inside a broader workflow.
What Kreya is
Kreya is a desktop API client known for first-class gRPC (including server reflection and streaming), alongside REST and OpenAPI support. It uses a freemium model and appeals to teams whose APIs are largely gRPC.
Side by side
| API Spector | Kreya | |
|---|---|---|
| gRPC | Yes (unary + server streaming) | Yes, deeper (client/bidi streaming, reflection) |
| HTTP/REST | Yes | Yes |
| GraphQL query builder | Yes, introspection-driven | Limited |
| SOAP + WSDL loader | Yes, WSDL-driven | Partial |
| Local-first / offline | Yes | Yes |
| Secret managers | Vault, AWS, Azure, 1Password (+ AES-256-GCM local) | Environment variables |
| Export to test code | Robot Framework, Playwright, Karate, REST Assured, supertest | Not a focus |
| Mock servers | Yes | No |
| Contract testing | Built in, Pact-compatible | No |
Where API Spector fits
- Breadth across HTTP-style APIs. REST, GraphQL, SOAP, and WebSockets, plus mocking and contract testing in one place.
- Runnable test output. Export to Robot Framework, Playwright, Karate, REST Assured, or supertest.
- Local-first with real secret management. Encrypted locally, or referenced from Vault, AWS, Azure, or 1Password.
Choose Kreya if
- gRPC is central to your APIs and you need client-streaming, bidirectional streaming, or server reflection today.
Choose API Spector if
- You use gRPC for unary and server-streaming calls and want it alongside REST, GraphQL, and SOAP in one client.
- You want contract testing, mock servers, and test-code export alongside the client.
Note: API Spector's gRPC support is a first pass: unary and server-streaming calls from a pasted or on-disk
.proto, with call metadata and TLS/plaintext. Client-streaming, bidirectional streaming, and server reflection are on the roadmap; if you need them, tell us so we can prioritise.