Microsoft Kiota review
A focused open-source choice for generating typed REST API clients from OpenAPI.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Microsoft Kiota is an open-source command-line and Visual Studio Code tool for developers building applications that consume HTTP REST APIs. It generates strongly typed API clients from OpenAPI descriptions, including models and fluent request APIs. The project supports C#, Dart, Go, Java, PHP, Python, Ruby, and TypeScript/JavaScript, and runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its focus is clear: turning an API description into language-specific client code rather than serving as a general-purpose code generator.
Kiota’s open-source distribution is available under the MIT License. The published project details do not describe commercial plan tiers; instead, the main value is in the generation workflow and its developer tooling. Users can run the command-line interface or work through the Visual Studio Code extension, search for and download API descriptions, filter generation to selected endpoints, and update previously generated clients. It can also produce API plugin manifests and API manifests, which extends its output beyond client classes and models.
The strongest fit is for teams that maintain or consume OpenAPI-described REST APIs and want typed clients across several programming languages. JSON Schema supports model serialization and deserialization, while endpoint filtering can help keep generated output aligned with a selected part of an API. Kiota is less suitable for projects that need code generation from inputs other than OpenAPI, or for applications outside the HTTP REST API use case. It also requires a target language from its supported list and a workflow built around CLI or Visual Studio Code tooling. Choose it when typed OpenAPI client generation is the priority; choose another generator when broader input formats or a different application model matter more.
Microsoft Kiota pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Generates strongly typed clients, models, and fluent request APIs
- Supports C#, Dart, Go, Java, PHP, Python, Ruby, and TypeScript/JavaScript
- Offers endpoint filtering, client updates, CLI support, and a VS Code extension
- Where it doesn't
- Focused on OpenAPI descriptions rather than general code generation
- Designed for applications consuming HTTP REST APIs
- Generated clients are limited to the supported target languages
Microsoft Kiota fact sheet, pricing and score →
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update