What is Postman? Postman API Test Automation & Features

APIs are the backbone of modern applications, and testing them efficiently is essential. Postman is a powerful platform for developers to manage, test, and optimize APIs. Whether you’re sending a Postman API Test request, automating tests, or conducting Postman API load testing, Postman simplifies these tasks with an intuitive interface and robust features.

What is Postman?

Postman is an API platform designed to simplify the process of API development, testing, and collaboration.

It enables developers to:

• Create and run Postman API requests.
• Perform Postman API test automation to save time and improve accuracy.
• Evaluate API performance and security with advanced tools.

Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, Postman provides the features needed for seamless API management.

Features of Postman

API Collections

Organize multiple endpoints into collections to manage your APIs efficiently. Running a Postman API request from a collection is as simple as a click.

Basic example

• Request Type: GET
• Endpoint: https://jsonplaceholder.example.com/posts
• Response: A JSON array of posts.

With Postman, you can group similar endpoints in a collection and run them together for better efficiency.

Test Automation

One of Postman’s standout features is its ability to automate testing. With scripting tools, you can set up Postman API test automation for:

• Regression testing.
• Functional testing.
• Integration with build pipelines for continuous testing.

This reduces manual effort and ensures bugs are caught early in development.

Automate tests with scripts to ensure consistency. Postman API test automation integrates seamlessly with CI/CD pipelines for continuous testing.

Example Script

pm.test("Response status is 200", function () {  
    pm.response.to.have.status(200);  
});  

This script checks if the response status is 200 for every request in the collection.

Another Test Script

Test if the response includes a specific key

pm.test("Response contains 'time' key", function () {  
    pm.expect(pm.response.json()).to.have.property('time');  
});  

Scenario: Automating test cases for an endpoint returning weather data:

• Endpoint: https://api.openweathermap.org/data/2.5/weather?q=London&appid=your_api_key
• Tests:
  • Check for a 200 status code.
  • Verify the presence of temperature and humidity fields.

Load Testing

API load testing ensures your system can handle peak traffic. With Postman, you can send simultaneous Postman API requests to simulate real-world usage and identify potential weak points. This helps ensure your APIs remain responsive even under heavy loads.

Scenario: Stress-test a product listing API.

• Endpoint: https://example.com/api/products.
• Steps:
  1. Use Postman’s Collection Runner to execute the request 500 times.
  2. Track response times and error rates.

Expected Outcome
Your server should handle all requests within an acceptable response time.

Dynamic Variables and Mock Servers

Use dynamic variables for flexible testing and Create mock servers to simulate API responses without a live backend.

Dynamic Variable Example

• Endpoint: https://example.com/api/orders.
• Body:

{ 
"order_id": "{{randomUUID}}" 
}

• {{randomUUID}} generates a unique ID for each request.

Mock Server Example

{  
    "id": 1,  
    "title": "Mock Title",  
    "body": "This is a mock response."  
}  

Performance Testing

Postman’s performance testing tools allow developers to measure critical metrics such as response time, throughput, and error rates. By incorporating Postman API performance testing, teams can fine-tune their APIs for faster and more reliable user experiences.

Measure response times and pinpoint bottlenecks to evaluate how your API performs under normal conditions.

Example

Request Type: POST

Endpoint: https://example.com/api/create-order

Body:

{  
    "customer_id": 12345,  
    "items": [  
        { "product_id": 678, "quantity": 2 },  
        { "product_id": 910, "quantity": 1 }  
    ]  
}  

Metrics to Track

• Average response time.
• Success and failure rates.

API Security Testing

API security is a top priority in today’s interconnected world. With Postman API security testing, you can quickly identify and address vulnerabilities. Postman helps ensure your APIs are protected against common threats like:

• Unauthorized access.
• Injection attacks.
• Insecure data transmission.

Scenario: Check authentication mechanisms.

• Request Type: GET
• Endpoint: https://example.com/api/user-details.
• Without Authorization Header: Expect a 401 Unauthorized response.
• With Valid Token: Expect a 200 OK response with user data.

Another Example

• Request Type: POST
• Endpoint: https://example.com/api/login
• Body:

{  
    "username": "admin'; DROP TABLE users; --",  
    "password": "password123"  
}  

This simulates a SQL injection attempt, allowing you to test how your API handles such inputs.

Postman Pricing: Plans for Every Need

Postman offers flexible pricing plans to cater to individuals, small teams, and large enterprises. Here’s an overview of the available plans:

Free Plan

Perfect for individuals or small teams starting out with API testing and development.

• Key Features:
  • Access to API requests, collections, and basic testing tools.
  • 3 shared workspaces.
  • 1,000 API calls per month.
• Cost: $0/month.

Basic Plan

Designed for small teams needing more collaboration and testing capacity.

• Key Features:
  • Unlimited workspaces.
  • 10,000 API calls per month.
  • Basic monitoring with up to 10,000 calls.
• Cost: $14/month per user (billed annually).

Professional Plan

Ideal for growing teams requiring advanced collaboration and testing capabilities.

• Key Features:
  • Enhanced API monitoring with up to 100,000 calls per month.
  • API versioning and documentation tools.
  • Integration with CI/CD pipelines.
• Cost: $29/month per user (billed annually).

Enterprise Plan

Built for large organizations that need advanced features, scalability, and dedicated support.

• Key Features:
  • Customizable API limits and usage.
  • Dedicated account manager and premium support.
  • Advanced security features like SSO and role-based access.
• Cost: Custom pricing based on requirements.

How to Choose the Right Plan?

• For Individuals: Start with the Free Plan to explore Postman’s capabilities.
• For Teams: Opt for the Basic or Professional Plan based on team size and testing needs.
• For Enterprises: Contact Postman for tailored solutions to meet complex requirements.

For the latest pricing and detailed comparisons, visit the official Postman pricing page.

How to Get Started with Postman

Install Postman: Download the tool from the official website.

Create a Collection: Organize APIs into collections for easy access.

Send Your First Request: Test an endpoint with a basic Postman API request.

Automate Tests: Use the scripting feature to set up Postman API test automation.

Postman for Android: API Testing on the Go

As of now, Postman does not offer an official Android app. Their applications are available for macOS, Windows, and Linux platforms.

While there are third-party apps on the Google Play Store that offer API testing functionalities, such as “Rest Client – Pocket POSTMAN,” Google Play these are not affiliated with or endorsed by Postman.

For mobile API testing, Postman recommends using their web version through a mobile browser. This approach allows you to access many of Postman’s features without the need for a dedicated mobile app.

Additionally, Postman provides tools to capture API requests from Android devices, enabling you to analyze and test APIs effectively.

Why Choose Postman?

Postman offers an all-in-one solution for API testing and management. From Postman API load testing to ensuring security and performance, it’s the go-to tool for developers. Key benefits include:

• Intuitive interface for beginners.
• Advanced tools for professionals.
• Collaboration features for teams.

Conclusion: Postman is Essential for API Development

Postman is more than just a testing tool—it’s a comprehensive platform that supports the entire API lifecycle. Whether you’re handling Postman API requests, conducting load testing, or ensuring Postman API security, Postman is an invaluable resource.

Start using Postman today to streamline your API workflows and enhance your development process!