Specifiction
For vendors
AdvertiseTop spots, featured rows, home sponsor Get listedAdd a product we don't cover yet Claim a listingFree: verify the domain, then correct your page Vendor dashboardNumbers, orders and placements
List your tool
Vendor dashboard
Tech riderRev. 4 Oct 2026

json-server

Ch 196.5of 27 API Mocking Tools
  1. 1Runs onAPI, self-hosted
  2. 2CostsFree plan
  3. 3Dynamic responsesYes
  4. 4Mock data generationYes
  5. 5Local deploymentYes
  6. 6Supported protocolsREST
6 lines stated Written from the maker's own pages: github.com
Visit site Alternatives
The json-server homepage

Overview

json-server is ranked #19 of 27 in API mocking tools on Specifiction. It runs on API, Self-hosted. There is a free plan.

json-server plans and pricing

All plans
json-server Free MIT-licensed open-source package · runs locally from a JSON or JSON5 file github.com · 4 Oct 2026

Compared on API mocking tools

Dynamic responses
Yesgithub.com
Mock data generation
Yesgithub.com
Local deployment
Yesgithub.com
Supported protocols
RESTgithub.com

Facts

Purpose
json-server creates a fake REST API with zero coding for testing and prototyping.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Data files
It reads a db.json or db.json5 file and starts a local server at http://localhost:3000.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
HTTP routes
Array resources support GET, POST, PUT, PATCH and DELETE routes, while object resources support GET, PUT and PATCH.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Filtering
Query filters support comparison operators, membership, case-insensitive string matching and nested fields.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Sorting and pagination
Requests can sort results and paginate them with _page and _per_page; the documented default page size is 10.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Relationships
The _embed query parameter includes related resources, and DELETE supports a _dependent parameter for dependents.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Static files
It serves files from ./public by default and can serve additional directories passed with -s.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Install and runtime
The package is installed with npm, and its package metadata specifies Node.js >=22.12.0.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
License
The repository is licensed under the MIT License.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Version status
The README identifies the displayed v1 documentation as beta and warns users to expect breaking changes.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Compatibility
The README describes the tool as a fake REST API; its repository topics include frontend, mock, REST and test.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Security and compliance
The opened project pages provide no security or compliance certification statements.github.com · 4 Oct 2026

Best json-server alternatives

See all 20
All accessCh 01 Microcks Free planAPIBrowser Free to start7.6 All accessCh 02 Mockzilla Free planAPILinux from $10/mo7.6 All accessCh 03 Parasoft SOAtest Free trialAndroidAPI 7.6 All accessCh 04 WireMock Free planFree trialAPI Free to start7.6 All accessCh 05 Mockttp Free planLinuxMac Free to start7.4 All accessCh 06 Mockoon Free trialAPILinux from €10/mo7.3

Where it ranks on Specifiction

Is json-server yours?

Claim it for free: prove the domain, then correct facts, plans and screenshots. An editor reviews every change.

Claim it free Promote json-server

Sources