APIAssert vs Runscope#

Runscope (now part of BlazeMeter) is a comprehensive API testing and monitoring platform. Here's how it compares to APIAssert.

Overview#

When to Choose APIAssert#

Choose APIAssert if you need:

• Quick setup — monitors running in minutes
• Straightforward monitoring — health checks, not complex flows
• GraphQL support — native query validation
• Affordable pricing — transparent per-monitor pricing
• Developer-friendly — focused on what matters

APIAssert is built for teams who want effective API monitoring without the complexity of a full testing platform.

When to Choose Runscope#

Choose Runscope if you need:

• Complex test scenarios — multi-step, stateful flows
• API traffic inspection — debug live API traffic
• Enterprise features — SAML, audit logs, compliance
• Existing BlazeMeter investment — unified platform
• Comprehensive testing — beyond just monitoring

Runscope is a powerful enterprise platform for teams with complex API testing needs.

Feature Comparison#

Monitoring Capabilities#

APIAssert:

• ✅ REST API monitoring (all methods)
• ✅ GraphQL queries and mutations
• ✅ JSONPath assertions
• ✅ Header validation
• ✅ Response time monitoring
• ✅ Multi-region checks (6 regions)

Runscope:

• ✅ REST API monitoring
• ✅ Multi-step test flows
• ✅ Variable extraction & chaining
• ✅ Conditional logic
• ✅ Pre/post request scripts
• ✅ Global assertions

Assertions#

APIAssert:

• Point-and-click assertion builder
• JSONPath expressions
• Response time thresholds
• Status code validation
• Header checks

Runscope:

• JavaScript-based assertions
• JSON Schema validation
• Response body parsing
• Variable comparison
• Complex logic support

Setup Experience#

APIAssert:

1. Enter URL
2. Configure headers/auth
3. Add assertions via builder
4. Set interval
5. Monitor live in 2 minutes

Runscope:

1. Create bucket (test container)
2. Create test
3. Add request steps
4. Configure assertions
5. Set up schedule
6. Longer setup, more options

Pricing#

APIAssert:

Runscope/BlazeMeter:

• Enterprise pricing (contact sales)
• Previously ~$79/mo for basic plans
• Now bundled with BlazeMeter

Note: Runscope pricing has changed since the BlazeMeter acquisition

Use Case Comparison#

Simple Health Monitoring#

Goal: Check if APIs are up and returning expected data

APIAssert: ✅ Ideal

• 2-minute setup
• Point-and-click assertions
• Immediate alerts

Runscope: Works but overkill

• More setup required
• Designed for complex scenarios
• Higher cost for simple monitoring

Complex API Flows#

Goal: Test login → create order → verify order → cleanup

Runscope: ✅ Built for this

• Multi-step tests
• Variable passing between steps
• Conditional logic
• Pre/post scripts

APIAssert: Not ideal

• Single endpoint per monitor
• Better suited for independent checks
• Would need multiple monitors

API Traffic Debugging#

Goal: Inspect live API traffic for debugging

Runscope: ✅ Unique feature

• Traffic inspection (Runscope Radar)
• Debug webhooks
• Trace API calls

APIAssert: Not available

• Focus is on monitoring, not debugging
• Use dedicated tools for debugging

Real-World Scenarios#

Scenario: Microservices Health Checks#

APIAssert:

• Create monitor per service endpoint
• Check health, response time, response body
• Multi-region for latency awareness
• Alert per service via Slack/PagerDuty

Runscope:

• Create test bucket per service
• Add comprehensive test suites
• Include dependency checks
• More setup, more thorough

Scenario: Payment Flow Testing#

Runscope: Better fit

1. Create payment intent
2. Capture variables (payment_id)
3. Confirm payment
4. Verify webhook receipt
5. Check final state

APIAssert: Limited

• Can monitor individual endpoints
• Can't chain requests with variables
• Would need separate integration testing

Migration Considerations#

Moving from Runscope to APIAssert#

If your Runscope usage is primarily simple monitoring:

1. Identify simple monitors that check single endpoints
2. Export assertion logic (translate to JSONPath)
3. Create monitors in APIAssert with equivalent assertions
4. Keep complex flows in Runscope if needed
5. Run parallel for a week to verify coverage

Keep Runscope For#

• Multi-step test flows
• Traffic inspection needs
• Complex enterprise requirements
• Existing test suite investment

Move to APIAssert For#

• Simple health checks
• GraphQL monitoring
• Cost-effective monitoring
• Quick setup and maintenance

The Bottom Line#

Runscope (BlazeMeter) is a powerful, enterprise-grade API testing platform. It excels at complex multi-step test scenarios, traffic inspection, and comprehensive API testing workflows.

APIAssert is focused on continuous API monitoring with minimal complexity. If you need straightforward health checks with response validation, APIAssert offers a simpler, more affordable solution.

Choose based on your needs:

• Complex API testing → Runscope/BlazeMeter
• Continuous API monitoring → APIAssert
• Both needs → Use both for their strengths

Try APIAssert free — no credit card required.