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Vegeta

github.com

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinuxAPISelf-hosted
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Spec score 7.8 #22 of 38 in Performance Testing Software

What it is

Vegeta is a free, open-source HTTP load-testing tool and Go library that sends requests at a constant rate. Its command-line interface is built for UNIX-style composition, while the library offers use from Go programs. The project states that its load measurements avoid coordinated omission and that distributed testing is supported. Reports can be written as text, JSON, histograms, or HDR plots, and results can also be encoded as CSV, Gob, or JSON. The attack command can expose an optional Prometheus exporter. HTTP/2 works when supported by the server, including HTTP/2 over TCP without TLS. TLS options include client certificates and keys, custom root certificates, and ignoring invalid server certificates. The documented request timeout defaults to 30 seconds, with zero disabling timeouts. Prebuilt binaries, package-manager installs, distribution packages, and source builds are documented for Linux, macOS, Windows, API use, and self-hosting. The repository uses the MIT license.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Vegeta is an HTTP load testing tool built to test HTTP services at a constant request rate.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The GitHub repository identifies the project as MIT licensed.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maker
The repository owner profile identifies tsenart as Tomás Senart.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
CLI and library
Vegeta can be used as a command-line tool or as a Go library.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Composability
The CLI is designed with UNIX composability in mind.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Distributed testing
The README describes Vegeta as simple to use for distributed load testing.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Installation
The README lists precompiled executables, Homebrew and MacPorts for macOS, pacman for Arch Linux, and a FreeBSD package.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Load measurement
Vegeta avoids coordinated omission and provides reporting functionality.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Load testing
The project says Vegeta avoids coordinated omission and can be used for distributed load testing.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maintainer
GitHub identifies Tomás Senart as the repository owner and maintainer.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Output formats
Vegeta can encode results as CSV, Gob, or JSON, and generate text, JSON, histogram, or HDR plot reports.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Prometheus
The attack command can expose a Prometheus exporter when a listen address is configured.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Protocols
The attack command supports HTTP/2 when the server supports it, and can send HTTP/2 over TCP without TLS encryption.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Reports
Its report command supports text, JSON, histogram, and HDR plot output.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Resource limit
The README warns that combining an unlimited request rate with a very high maximum worker count can consume too many resources and crash Vegeta.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
TLS
The attack command supports client certificates and keys, custom root certificates, and an option to ignore invalid server certificates.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
TLS controls
The attack command accepts TLS client certificates and keys, custom root certificate files, and a flag to ignore invalid server certificates.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Usage limit
The documented default request timeout is 30 seconds, and setting it to 0 disables timeouts.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Free Free Open-source HTTP load testing tool and Go library Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every Vegeta plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free, open-source MIT-licensed tool
  • Constant-rate HTTP load generation
  • Distributed testing support
  • Multiple report and result formats
  • HTTP/2 and configurable TLS options

Limits

  • Default request timeout is 30 seconds
  • Unlimited rate and workers can exhaust resources
  • Command-line and Go usage may require technical skills

Who it suits

Vegeta suits developers and teams needing constant-rate HTTP or API load tests, including distributed runs. It fits users comfortable with command-line tools or Go libraries.

Verdict

Vegeta provides a clearly defined free option for HTTP load generation, measurement, and reporting. Its protocol, TLS, output, and installation details cover varied testing setups, while resource settings need care.

Where Specifiction places it

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