Best API Documentation Tools in 2026
Updated
In short: Scalar is ranked #1 of 28 as of 3 October 2026, ahead of Doxygen and ApiNotes. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Doxygen. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Redocly at $10/mo.
Good API documentation gives developers a usable reference for understanding endpoints and building against an interface. Compare Scalar, Redocly, and Fern on interactive API reference, code samples, and OpenAPI import. API versioning helps frame support for evolving interfaces, while hosting model and custom domain options show how documentation can fit into your setup. Check free-plan availability and paid-from pricing as you compare. The ranking begins with Scalar, Redocly, and Fern, then names ApiNotes, ReadMe, Theneo, Apiary, and PilotDocs. Consider which mix of reference features and hosting arrangements matches the API you need to explain.
28 API documentation tools ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
#1 Scalar Top pick · 7.4 Free plan · $150/mo
#2 Doxygen Runner-up · 7.0 Free plan · Free
#3 ApiNotes Also great · 6.9 Free plan · $19/mo
- Free plan apiLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 150 /mo
- OpenAPI import
- Yes
- Interactive API reference
- Yes
- Code samples
- Yes
- API versioning
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$150/mofirst paid tier About ScalarVisit site - Free plan LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Code samples
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free planFree trial Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 19 /mo
- OpenAPI import
- Yes
- Interactive API reference
- Yes
- Code samples
- Yes
- API versioning
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$19/mofirst paid tier About ApiNotesVisit site - Free plan Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 19 /mo
- OpenAPI import
- Yes
- Interactive API reference
- Yes
- Code samples
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$19/mofirst paid tier About PaltVisit site - Free planFree trial Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 49 /mo
- OpenAPI import
- Yes
- Interactive API reference
- Yes
- Code samples
- Yes
- API versioning
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$49/mofirst paid tier About PilotDocsVisit site - Free plan apiWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- OpenAPI import
- Yes
- Interactive API reference
- Yes
- Code samples
- Yes
- API versioning
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan self-hostedWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- OpenAPI import
- Yes
- Interactive API reference
- Yes
- Code samples
- Yes
- API versioning
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan self-hostedWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- OpenAPI import
- Yes
- Interactive API reference
- Yes
- Code samples
- Yes
- API versioning
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 250 /mo
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$250/mofirst paid tier About ReadMeVisit site - Free plan Web
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree About FernVisit site - Free trial apiextensionWeb
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$10/mofirst paid tier About RedoclyVisit site - Free trial apiself-hostedWeb
- Paid from
- 50 /mo
- OpenAPI import
- Yes
- Interactive API reference
- Yes
- Code samples
- Yes
- API versioning
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$50/mofirst paid tier About Bump.shVisit site - Free plan LinuxmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- OpenAPI import
- No
- Interactive API reference
- No
- Code samples
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - LinuxmacOS
- OpenAPI import
- No
- Interactive API reference
- No
- Code samples
- No
- API versioning
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 120 /mo
- OpenAPI import
- Yes
- Interactive API reference
- Yes
- Code samples
- Yes
- API versioning
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsLinux
- OpenAPI import
- Yes
- Interactive API reference
- Yes
- Code samples
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- OpenAPI import
- Yes
- Interactive API reference
- Yes
- API versioning
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- OpenAPI import
- Yes
- Interactive API reference
- Yes
- Code samples
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- OpenAPI import
- Yes
- Interactive API reference
- Yes
- Code samples
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms -
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms -
- Free plan
- Yes
- Code samples
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan Web
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms€19/mofirst paid tier About MihariVisit site -
- OpenAPI import
- Yes
- Interactive API reference
- No
- Code samples
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms -
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms -
- OpenAPI import
- Yes
- Interactive API reference
- No
- Code samples
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which API documentation tool is ranked first on Everything Xiaomi?
Scalar is ranked #1 of 28 with a score of 7.4. Doxygen is second and ApiNotes third.
How many of these have a free plan?
12 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Redocly has the lowest first paid tier we found: $10/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes: documentation depth, a free tier and the platforms it runs on. Paid placements never change a rank.