Building ApiRealTest: An API testing tool that doesn't assume you're a senior dev
Hey IH community đź‘‹
I'm building ApiRealTest - a tool to test APIs through actual user interactions (chat, file uploads, edge cases) instead of just technical endpoints.
The Problem I'm Solving
Last month I deployed an API that worked perfectly in Postman. Two hours later: 50+ production errors. The issue? Real users sent emojis, special characters, and edge cases I never tested for.
I realized: Current API tools test if endpoints respond. They don't test if your API can handle real human chaos.
This is especially painful for:
Beginners learning APIs (Postman feels intimidating)
Indie hackers building fast (no time for complex setup)
Anyone building conversational APIs or chatbots (chat testing is manual hell)
What I'm Building
ApiRealTest makes API testing accessible and realistic:
Quick Test Playground (for vibecoders)
Select platform: OpenAI, Anthropic, Stability AI, Google, etc.
Paste your API key
Click "Test Chat" or "Generate Image"
See results in 5 seconds
No docs. No setup. Just instant validation that your API works.
Real-World Testing Interface
Test via chat (for conversational APIs)
Upload files (test with images, documents, edge cases)
JSON editor (for complex payloads)
Real-time analytics on response times, errors, patterns
Features I Haven't Seen Elsewhere
Upload fuzzing: Automatically tests your API with malicious files to catch security issues
Edge case library: Pre-built scenarios like emoji spam, SQL injection attempts, null values
24-hour free history (upgrade for permanent storage)
Current Status
Week 1 complete. Core features work but need polish:
âś… Auth (Google OAuth, email)
âś… Payment integration (Stripe, PayPal)
âś… Quick Test Playground functional
âś… Dashboard and analytics live
🔨 Refining UX this week
🎬 Demo video coming this weekend
Pricing Structure
Free tier: 10 tests/day, 24h history, all platforms
Starter ($9/mo): Unlimited tests, 30-day history, save results
Pro ($29/mo): Teams, unlimited history, custom platforms, API access
Most features staying free. I believe basic API testing shouldn't be paywalled.
Why I'm Posting Here
Looking for honest feedback from the IH community:
Does this solve a real problem you face?
What's missing? What would make this a must-have?
Would you use this over Postman/Insomnia? Why or why not?
Pricing: Fair or too low/high?
Also happy to give early access to anyone who wants to break it and report bugs. Building in public so brutal honesty is welcome.
Support the Project
If this resonates with you:
Join the waitlist: https://bgpal032.forms.app/waitlist-registration-form
Check the site: https://api-real-test.lovable.app
Optional: Buy me a coffee / donate to support development (building this bootstrapped, every bit helps fund servers and services)
Not asking for money - just validation that I'm building something useful.
What I'm Learning
Lovable.dev + Supabase = perfect for shipping fast as a solo dev
Getting features to "work" is 40% of the job. Making them "feel right" is 60%
Beginner-friendly tools are underserved in the API testing space
Developers will pay for simplicity over power (lesson from HN and Reddit feedback)
Upcoming Features (Based on Feedback)
VS Code extension (most requested)
KYC API testing templates (for fintech/crypto)
Session replay for debugging
Team collaboration with shared templates
Pre-configured test collections
Tech Stack (for those interested)
Frontend: React + TypeScript + Tailwind CSS
Backend: Supabase (auth, database, storage)
Deployment: Lovable.dev
Payments: Stripe + PayPal
Analytics: PostHog (maybe, still deciding)
Ask Me Anything
Happy to answer questions about:
Building with Lovable.dev
API testing workflows
Going from idea to MVP in 5 days
Bootstrapped solo dev challenges
Also down to do 1:1 calls if you want to see a demo or talk shop about API testing.
Thanks for reading! 🙏
