SoapUI vs. Postman — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on January 15, 2024
SoapUI is specialized for SOAP and extensive API testing, whereas Postman focuses on REST APIs and is more user-friendly for simpler tasks.
Difference Between SoapUI and Postman
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
SoapUI and Postman are both widely used tools in API testing, but they cater to different needs. SoapUI is more focused on SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) services and provides extensive testing capabilities. Postman, in contrast, is primarily designed for REST API services and is known for its user-friendly interface.
SoapUI offers comprehensive testing features, including functional, performance, and security testing for APIs. It is highly suitable for complex testing scenarios and supports advanced scripting. Postman is more straightforward, offering a simpler and more intuitive interface for creating and testing APIs, making it a favorite among developers for quick test scenarios.
The learning curve for SoapUI is steeper compared to Postman, due to its extensive functionalities and interface complexity. Postman’s user-friendly design and ease of use make it more accessible for beginners or those who require quick API testing without deep technical involvement.
SoapUI supports both REST and SOAP services but is more robust and feature-rich for SOAP services. It allows detailed test scenarios and assertions. Postman, while it does support both REST and SOAP, is more optimized and popular for REST API testing, with a focus on simplicity and efficiency.
In terms of integration and extensibility, SoapUI offers more in-depth options and is often used in complex enterprise environments. Postman, while also offering integration capabilities, tends to be more favored for individual use or smaller-scale projects due to its straightforward setup and ease of use.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Focus
SOAP and extensive API testing
REST API testing
User Interface
Complex, extensive features
User-friendly, intuitive
Learning Curve
Steeper, more technical
Easier, more accessible
Usage Scenario
Complex, enterprise environments
Quick tests, smaller projects
Scripting & Extensibility
Advanced scripting options
Simpler, less technical options
Compare with Definitions
SoapUI
SoapUI is a tool for testing SOAP and REST web services.
SoapUI is used to perform load testing on a web service.
Postman
Postman is a popular tool for developing and testing REST APIs.
Postman is used to quickly test the response of a RESTful service.
SoapUI
It offers extensive features for functional and security testing.
SoapUI's security testing features help identify vulnerabilities in APIs.
Postman
It features a user-friendly interface for API requests and testing.
Creating and sending a new API request in Postman takes just a few clicks.
SoapUI
SoapUI supports complex testing scenarios with advanced scripting.
Automating a sequence of API calls is efficiently done using SoapUI.
Postman
Postman simplifies the process of API testing and documentation.
Postman automatically generates documentation for API endpoints.
SoapUI
SoapUI is favored in enterprise environments for detailed testing.
SoapUI is often used for comprehensive testing in large-scale projects.
Postman
Postman offers collaboration features for team-based API development.
Teams can share and collaborate on API collections within Postman.
SoapUI
It's suitable for both manual and automated testing of APIs.
SoapUI can be integrated into a CI/CD pipeline for automated testing.
Postman
It's ideal for quick and straightforward API testing needs.
Postman is often used for ad-hoc testing during API development.
Postman
See mailman.
Postman
Someone who delivers the post (mail) to, and/or collects the post from, residential or commercial addresses, or from public mailboxes.
Postman
One of the two most experienced barristers in the Court of Exchequer, who have precedence in motions, so called from the place where he sits, the other of the two being the tubman.
Postman
A post or courier; a letter carrier.
Postman
One of the two most experienced barristers in the Court of Exchequer, who have precedence in motions; - so called from the place where he sits. The other of the two is called the tubman.
Postman
A man who delivers the mail
Common Curiosities
Is SoapUI suitable for beginners?
SoapUI might be challenging for beginners due to its complex features and interface.
What kind of testing is SoapUI best for?
SoapUI is best for functional, performance, and security testing of APIs.
Can Postman handle both REST and SOAP APIs?
Yes, Postman can handle both REST and SOAP APIs, but it's more optimized for REST.
How user-friendly is Postman?
Postman is known for its user-friendly and intuitive interface.
Can SoapUI be used for load testing?
Yes, SoapUI offers extensive features for load testing.
Can SoapUI generate API documentation?
SoapUI does not focus on documentation as much as Postman, which offers automatic documentation generation.
How does Postman facilitate collaboration?
Postman offers team collaboration features like shared collections and environments.
What is SoapUI mainly used for?
SoapUI is used for testing SOAP and REST web services, especially in complex scenarios.
Is Postman suitable for large-scale enterprise projects?
While Postman can be used in enterprise projects, SoapUI is often preferred for its extensive testing capabilities.
Is SoapUI open-source?
SoapUI offers both a free open-source version and a paid Pro version with additional features.
Does Postman support automated testing?
Postman does support automated testing, though it's more limited compared to SoapUI.
Which tool is better for API mocking?
Both offer API mocking features, but Postman's approach is generally more straightforward.
What scripting languages does SoapUI support?
SoapUI supports Groovy and JavaScript for scripting.
Does Postman have a steep learning curve?
No, Postman is designed to be accessible and easy to learn.
Can Postman be integrated into CI/CD pipelines?
Yes, Postman can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines, albeit with some limitations.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
