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json-server

json-server creates a fake REST API without coding, for testing and prototyping.

Place
#18 of 26
Score
5.7
json-server's website

What json-server is

json-server creates a fake REST API without coding, for testing and prototyping. It reads a db.json or db.json5 file and starts a local server at http://localhost:3000. Array resources support GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, and DELETE, while object resources support GET, PUT, and PATCH. Query filters include comparison operators, membership checks, case-insensitive string matching, and nested fields. Requests can sort results and paginate them with _page and _per_page; the documented default page size is 10. Use _embed to include related resources, or _dependent with DELETE for dependents. The tool serves files from ./public by default and can serve additional directories passed with -s. It installs through npm, and its package metadata requires Node.js >=22.12.0. json-server is an MIT-licensed open-source package available for no cost. The displayed v1 documentation is marked beta, with a warning that breaking changes should be expected. Project pages provide no security or compliance certification statements.

Good

  • Creates a local REST API from JSON or JSON5 data.
  • Array routes support five common HTTP methods.
  • Supports filtering, sorting, and pagination.
  • Can serve static files from ./public or added directories.
  • Free, open-source, and MIT-licensed.

Watch out

  • Requires Node.js >=22.12.0.
  • Displayed v1 documentation is beta and warns of breaking changes.
  • Project pages provide no security or compliance certification statements.

Who it suits

json-server suits developers who need a local mock REST API for testing or prototyping from a JSON or JSON5 file. It is also useful when a project needs basic filtering, sorting, and pagination without building an API first.

Verdict

json-server offers a local, file-based way to create a mock REST API for development work. Check the beta documentation status and Node.js requirement before adopting it.

Plans and prices

From json-server's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
json-serverFreeMIT-licensed open-source package · runs locally from a JSON or JSON5 file

The facts

Each one read from json-server's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

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

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