Step CI
Step CI: A flexible, CI-ready API testing framework for teams that manage their own infrastructure. Ranked #9 of 33 in API Testing Tools by our editors (8.4/10); pricing: Free plan; best for CI-focused teams needing broad pipeline support.
At a glance
- Editor score8.4 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forCI-focused teams needing broad pipeline support
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Tests REST, GraphQL, SOAP, gRPC, and tRPC APIs
- Supports chaining, schema validation, load tests, and parallel runs
- Integrates with major CI/CD tools, Docker, Kubernetes, and Node.js
Where it doesn't
- Self-hosted deployment requires infrastructure ownership
- Support Plan pricing is custom
- No mock endpoint server is included
Our verdict on Step CI
Step CI is an open-source API testing and quality-assurance framework for developers and engineering teams. Its workflows use YAML, JSON, or JavaScript, and the runner supports REST, GraphQL, SOAP, gRPC, and tRPC APIs. Teams can run tests locally, on private networks, in Docker, or within CI/CD pipelines. It is suited to organizations that want broad protocol coverage and pipeline control without adopting a hosted testing platform.
The Open-Source plan costs $0 per month and includes the open-source runner and CLI, workflow configuration in three formats, OpenAPI workflow generation, and local or CI/CD execution. Testing capabilities cover request chaining with captures and variables, response checks, JSON Schema validation, test data, load testing, and parallel execution. The Support Plan adds support with an SLA, onboarding and training, prioritized feature requests and bug fixes, and monthly security reports. Teams evaluating paid support should account for its custom pricing.
Step CI fits engineering environments with established automation practices. Its integration list spans GitHub Actions, GitLab CI/CD, Jenkins, Azure Pipelines, AWS CodeBuild, Google Cloud Build, Bitbucket Pipelines, CircleCI, TeamCity, and Dagger, alongside Node.js, Docker, Kubernetes, Jest, and FastAPI. That breadth makes it practical for varied delivery pipelines, while the self-hosted model leaves infrastructure and operational ownership with the team. Choose Step CI when CI/CD execution, open-source control, and multi-protocol testing are priorities. Teams that need a mock endpoint server or prefer a fully hosted experience should consider an alternative.
Your product? Our editors can test Step CI in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Step CI pricing
All 2 Step CI plans and prices →
Step CI fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| GraphQL support | Yes |
| SOAP support | Yes |
| Scheduled runs | Not verified |
| CI/CD integration | Yes |
| Mock server | Not verified |
| Contract testing | Yes |
| Included requests | Not verified |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Support | Email, Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 18 integrations: Node.js, Docker, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI/CD, Jest, FastAPI … |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | stepci.com |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Step CI integrations
Step CI lists 18 integrations on its own site.
- Node.js
- Docker
- GitHub Actions
- GitLab CI/CD
- Jest
- FastAPI
- Kubernetes
- CircleCI
- Dagger
- Jenkins
- Azure Pipelines
- AWS CodeBuild
- Google Cloud Build
- Bitbucket Pipelines
- TeamCity
- Mocha
- Vitest
- Bun
Alternatives to Step CI
- PostmanA mature API test platform with broad protocol support and a wide feature set.9.3
- ApidogA broad API toolkit for teams that need design, testing, automation, and documentation together.9.2
- SoapUIA broad, free API testing desktop tool for functional, contract, performance, and load work.9.0
See all Step CI alternatives →
Also Ranked In
Step CI is ranked in 3 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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