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Head-to-head · Api Docs

Scalar vs Dokka

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Scalar #5 in Api Docs 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 6 features Visit Scalar
Dokka #8 in Api Docs 8.2/10 Open source ✓ 0 of 6 features Visit Dokka

Scalar leads on 0 checks, Dokka on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreScalar · 8.6/10
  • Free planonly Scalar
  • Most featuresScalar · 2 of 6

Scalar scores higher on our rubric for api docs: 8.6 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #8.

Scalar is the better fit for teams wanting flexible OpenAPI docs and API testing. Dokka is the better fit for kotlin and Java teams generating source API docs.

  • Scalar fits best

    Teams wanting flexible OpenAPI docs and API testing

  • Dokka fits best

    Kotlin and Java teams generating source API docs

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Side by side

Feature Scalar 8.6/10 Visit ↗ Dokka 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.6 8.2
Ranking #5 in Api Docs #8 in Api Docs
Best for Teams wanting flexible OpenAPI docs and API testing Kotlin and Java teams generating source API docs
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $125/mo Open source
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Support Email, Community, Docs Community, Docs
Integrations 16 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Scalar 2/6 · Dokka 0/6
OpenAPI import ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Custom domain ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Docs as code Not checked yet Not checked yet
Interactive API explorer Not checked yet Not checked yet
Documentation versioning Not checked yet Not checked yet
Documentation analytics Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Turns OpenAPI documents into interactive references with request testing
  • Supports Git and CI/CD synchronization, versioning, and hosted Markdown or MDX
  • Offers SDK generation and hosted or self-hosted documentation components
  • Generates docs from Kotlin KDoc and Java Javadoc in mixed projects
  • Offers HTML, Javadoc HTML, and two Markdown output formats
  • Runs with Gradle, Maven, or the command line, with versioning plugins
Cons
  • Pro starts at $150 per month with monthly billing
  • The Free plan limits teams to 3 APIs and 1 editor seat
  • Business costs $600 monthly, while Enterprise pricing is custom
  • Language support is limited to Kotlin and Java
  • Does not document OpenAPI-based services
  • Support channels are community and documentation
Our verdict

Scalar brings API documentation and developer tooling together around OpenAPI. It generates interactive references with browsable operations, code samples, and in-page request testing, and also includes an API client, SDK generation, and…

Read the review →

Dokka generates API documentation from Kotlin KDoc comments and Java Javadoc comments, making it a source-based option for developers and library teams working in Kotlin, Java, Android, or multiplatform projects. It can also process…

Read the review →
  1. ScalarApi Docs 8.6Free plan
  2. DokkaApi Docs 8.2Open source

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Scalar — where it wins

    • Turns OpenAPI documents into interactive references with request testing
    • Supports Git and CI/CD synchronization, versioning, and hosted Markdown or MDX
    • Offers SDK generation and hosted or self-hosted documentation components

    Where it doesn't

    • Pro starts at $150 per month with monthly billing
    • The Free plan limits teams to 3 APIs and 1 editor seat
    • Business costs $600 monthly, while Enterprise pricing is custom

  • Dokka — where it wins

    • Generates docs from Kotlin KDoc and Java Javadoc in mixed projects
    • Offers HTML, Javadoc HTML, and two Markdown output formats
    • Runs with Gradle, Maven, or the command line, with versioning plugins

    Where it doesn't

    • Language support is limited to Kotlin and Java
    • Does not document OpenAPI-based services
    • Support channels are community and documentation
  • Scalar8.6/10 · Free plan

    A flexible OpenAPI toolkit with interactive docs, testing, hosting, and self-hosting options.

    Visit ScalarFull verdict →
  • Dokka8.2/10 · Open source

    A free, open-source choice for generating versioned API docs from Kotlin and Java source.

    Visit DokkaFull verdict →

More comparisons

All api docs comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update