Quick answer
Mockfly - Mockfly wins for most builders who want a hosted mock API free tier because it has no credit card requirement and fewer setup constraints, while Mockaroo wins if your main need is bulk test data generation or higher per-day API volume.
How the free tiers compare
These tools overlap in testing and integrations, but they serve different jobs. Mockaroo is a data generator first: you define schemas and produce CSV, JSON, SQL, or Excel, with a free tier that is generous for browser downloads but tightly capped on rows per file and API volume. Mockfly is a hosted mock API server first: it is smaller on the free tier, with only 1 project, 4 endpoints, 2 responses per endpoint, and 500 requests per day, but it gives you a ready-to-use API mocking workflow and does not require a credit card. The practical split is simple. If you need files or high-volume generated records, Mockaroo is the better fit. If you need a lightweight mock server for frontend work, API tests, or prototypes, Mockfly is the easier starting point.
Mockaroo vs Mockfly free tier, side by side
| MockarooFTV 46 | MockflyFTV 47 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free rows per fileMockaroo is file-based; Mockfly free tier is endpoint-based. | 1,000 | not offered |
| Free API requests per dayMockfly gives more free request volume. | 200 | 500 |
| Free browser downloadsOnly Mockaroo explicitly states this. | No daily limit | not listed |
| Free projectsMockfly limits the free plan to one project. | not listed | 1 |
| Free endpointsMockfly free tier includes 4 endpoints. | not listed | 4 |
| Free responses per endpointMockfly free tier allows 2 responses per endpoint. | not listed | 2 |
| Free credit card requiredMockaroo requires a card to upgrade; Mockfly does not require a card on the free tier. | false | true |
After you outgrow the free tier
Mockaroo uses flat annual pricing for its paid tiers, starting very low and scaling mainly by row and API volume: Silver at $60/year, Gold at $500/year, then Enterprise by sales. Mockfly also starts with a flat paid tier, with Profesional at 8€ per month or 88€ per year, then a contact-sales Enterprise option. For small teams, Mockaroo is cheaper on price alone, but Mockfly’s paid plan removes the free-tier endpoint and request caps in one step. There are no usage-based rates in the provided data, so no per-call cost scenarios can be calculated.
When to pick each one
Pick Mockaroo when…
- You need to generate CSV, JSON, SQL, or Excel test datasets for downloads.
- You care more about row volume than endpoint management, especially for bulk data samples.
- You want a free tier that includes all hosted features and browser downloads with no daily download cap.
- You expect to outgrow the free tier mainly because of per-file rows or API record volume.
- You are comfortable upgrading to a flat annual plan for much higher file and API limits.
Pick Mockfly when…
- You want a hosted mock API server for frontend development or API testing.
- You only need a small number of projects and endpoints to start.
- You want a free tier with no credit card required.
- You need features like request logging, version history, or auto-generated docs on the paid path.
- You prefer a simple flat-priced paid upgrade from a small starter plan to unlimited requests and endpoints.
Bottom line
For the most common builder case, Mockfly is the better free-tier starting point if you need a mock API server for frontend or integration work, especially because you can try it without a credit card. Mockaroo is the better choice when the real need is generating files or larger batches of test data, since its free tier is more oriented around dataset creation and browser downloads. If you expect to hit the ceiling quickly, Mockaroo’s cheapest paid step is also much cheaper, but Mockfly is the easier first stop.
Read the full listings: Mockaroo and Mockfly. Scores use the FTV methodology at /ftv. Browse more head-to-heads on /compare, or see the top-ranked free tiers on /top.