Quick answer
Mockaroo - Mockaroo wins for most builders because its free tier is much more generous for data generation and API mocking, while mockapi.io is better only if you need a small REST resource CRUD mock with very low project and resource counts.
How the free tiers compare
These tools overlap, but they solve slightly different problems. mockapi.io is a lightweight REST API mock for building endpoints, schemas, and CRUD flows. Its free tier is tight: 1 project, 2 resources, and it excludes custom responses and collaboration. Mockaroo is broader for test data generation and API mocking, with file exports and hosted API responses. Its free tier keeps all features available and gives 1,000 rows per file plus 200 API requests per day, which is far more room to work before paying. The pricing after free is also similar at the entry point, but Mockaroo scales up through much larger row and API limits, while mockapi.io mainly expands project and resource counts. For most builders testing fixtures or generating datasets, Mockaroo is the easier free tier to stay on.
mockapi.io vs Mockaroo free tier, side by side
| mockapi.ioFTV 45 | MockarooFTV 46 | |
|---|---|---|
| Projectsmockapi.io limits projects; Mockaroo free tier is described by rows and API requests, not projects. | 1 | Not stated |
| Resources / schema objectsMockaroo’s free tier does not provide a comparable resource quota in the input. | 2 resources | Not stated |
| File rowsThis is a core free-tier limit for Mockaroo. | Not stated | Up to 1,000 rows per file |
| API usageMockaroo’s free tier includes this daily cap. | Not stated | 200 API requests per day |
| Custom responsesMockaroo’s free tier includes all features on the hosted service. | No on free tier | Access to all features |
| Collaborationmockapi.io free tier excludes collaboration. | No on free tier | Access to all features |
| Credit card required to upgradeOnly stated where the input explicitly says so. | No | Yes |
After you outgrow the free tier
Both products start at about $5/month on their first paid tier, but they diverge in what that buys. mockapi.io uses flat pricing: Pro is $5/month for 20 projects and 50 resources, with an Annual option at $35/year. Mockaroo also starts at $5/month equivalent with Silver at $60/year, but the paid steps are aimed at much larger data volumes, moving to Gold at $500/year and Enterprise at $7,500/year, which is contact sales. For small-team usage, the first paid tier is similarly priced, but Mockaroo’s paid path is built around much higher row and API throughput.
Cost at real usage
| Usage | mockapi.io | Mockaroo |
|---|---|---|
| Small team, starter mock projectThis assumes moving to the first paid tier once the free tier is outgrown. | $5/mo | $5/mo |
| Large file generation needsMockaroo Silver already raises file limits to 100,000 rows per file; mockapi.io does not price by file rows in the provided data. | $5/mo | $5/mo |
| High-volume API generationMockaroo Silver includes 1M records/day via API; mockapi.io does not provide comparable API throughput pricing in the input. | $5/mo | $5/mo |
| Company-wide / enterprise usemockapi.io has no enterprise plan in the provided data; Mockaroo Enterprise is $7,500/year. | $5/mo | $625/mo |
Estimates, not quotes. Usage-based rates change - verify with the vendor's pricing page before committing.
When to pick each one
Pick mockapi.io when…
- You need a tiny REST mock for one app or one prototype and can stay within 1 project and 2 resources.
- You want CRUD-style endpoint testing more than bulk test data generation.
- You do not need custom responses or collaboration on the free tier.
- Your mock schema is small and you mostly care about simple endpoint behavior.
Pick Mockaroo when…
- You need to generate CSV, JSON, SQL, or Excel test data, not just REST endpoints.
- You want access to all hosted features on the free tier.
- You need up to 1,000 rows per file or up to 200 API requests per day without paying.
- You expect to grow into much larger file generation limits later.
- You want a free tier that is useful for ongoing fixture generation, not just a very small starter mock.
Bottom line
For the common builder who wants free test data or API mocking that can stretch beyond a toy project, Mockaroo is the better default. Its free tier keeps all features and gives enough room for real fixture generation, while mockapi.io’s free plan is narrower and mostly fits a single small REST mock. Pick mockapi.io if you specifically need a tiny CRUD endpoint mock. Pick Mockaroo if you want the broader, more practical free tier for everyday testing work.
Read the full listings: mockapi.io and Mockaroo. Scores use the FTV methodology at /ftv. Browse more head-to-heads on /compare, or see the top-ranked free tiers on /top.