Step CI
Step CI is a self-hosted, open-source framework for API security, performance, and load testing.
What Step CI is
Step CI is a self-hosted, open-source framework for API security, performance, and load testing. Workflows can be written in YAML, JSON, or JavaScript and can test REST, GraphQL, gRPC, SOAP, and other APIs. Captures and variables let requests pass values through a workflow, while tests can use supplied data or generated mock data. Runs can execute in parallel on a local network or in CI/CD. Integrations include Node.js, Docker, GitHub, GitLab, Jest, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI/CD, CircleCI, Jenkins, Azure Pipelines, and Bitbucket Pipelines. OpenAPI, Postman, and Insomnia workflows can be imported. The Open-Source plan costs nothing (billed $0/month). Anonymous CLI usage collection is enabled by default but can be disabled with STEPCI_DISABLE_ANALYTICS. A separate Support Plan has custom pricing.
Good
- Supports REST, GraphQL, gRPC, and SOAP
- YAML, JSON, and JavaScript workflows
- Parallel local and CI/CD execution
- Open-source plan at no cost
- Imports OpenAPI, Postman, and Insomnia
Watch out
- Self-hosted deployment only
- Support Plan pricing is custom
- Anonymous analytics enabled by default
Who it suits
It suits developers and teams building API tests in self-hosted environments, especially those using CI/CD pipelines. It also fits projects needing contract, security, performance, or load testing.
Verdict
Step CI covers multiple API styles and integrates with common development pipelines while remaining self-hosted. Review the analytics setting and determine whether custom-priced support is needed.
Plans and prices
From Step CI's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Open-Source | Free | Open-source under MPL License · Run tests in parallel on your local network and CI/CD · $0/month |
| Support Plan | Priced on request | Support with SLA · Set up on your Infrastructure · Training hours for your team · Prioritized feature requests and bugfixes · Monthly security report · Early access to new features · Custom |
The facts
Each one read from Step CI's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Additional CI integrations
- The documentation lists integrations including GitHub Actions, GitLab CI/CD, CircleCI, Jenkins, Azure Pipelines, and Bitbucket Pipelines.checked 9 Oct 2026
- API coverage
- Step CI says it can test REST, GraphQL, gRPC, SOAP, and other APIs.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Execution
- Step CI says tests can run in parallel on a local network and in CI/CD.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Imports
- The homepage links to workflow import options for OpenAPI, Postman, and Insomnia.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The homepage lists Node.js, Docker, GitHub, GitLab, and Jest integrations.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The CLI collects anonymous usage data by default, and collection can be disabled with the STEPCI_DISABLE_ANALYTICS environment variable.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Step CI describes itself as an open-source API test automation framework for security, performance, and load testing.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Request chaining
- Workflows can chain requests using captures and variables.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Security
- The homepage says tests can run on a user's local network and CI/CD; the support plan includes a monthly security report.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The support plan covers support with an SLA, onboarding, training hours, prioritized feature requests and bug fixes, and early access to new features.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Test data
- The product supports bringing test data or generating mock data.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Workflow formats
- Workflows can be configured using YAML, JSON, or JavaScript.checked 9 Oct 2026
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