API testing is an important part of ensuring that applications work correctly before they reach users. Among many tools available today, Newman and Apache JMeter are two names that often come up when teams start automating API tests.
Newman and JMeter may seem similar because both can be used to test APIs. However, they are built for different purposes and are used in different testing scenarios. Choosing the wrong tool can lead to unnecessary complexity or missed testing goals.
In this blog, we will take a practical look at Newman and JMeter, compare their strengths and weaknesses, and help you decide which tool is more suitable for your project.
Overview of Newman
Newman is a command-line tool that lets the user runs Postman collections without opening the Postman app.
In simple terms, if users already use Postman to test APIs manually, Newman helps to run those same tests automatically. Able to execute tests from the terminal or inside a CI/CD pipeline.
Newman is mainly used for API functional and regression testing. It is lightweight, easy to set up, and works very well in automation workflows.
Overview of JMeter
Apache JMeter is an open-source testing tool originally designed for performance and load testing, but it also supports API functional testing.
- Key highlights:
- Strong in load, stress, and performance testing
- Supports multiple protocols (HTTP, JDBC, FTP, etc.)
- GUI-based test design with scripting support (Groovy)
- Widely used for enterprise-level testing
JMeter is commonly chosen when performance validation is a key requirement.
Newman vs JMeter: Feature Comparison
| Criteria | Newman | JMeter |
| Primary purpose | API functional & regression testing | Performance & load testing |
| Learning curve | Very easy | Medium to hard |
| Test creation | Postman UI | JMeter GUI |
| Scripting language | JavaScript | Groovy |
| CI/CD integration | Excellent | Good |
| Resource usage | Lightweight | Heavy |
| Reporting | Basic (HTML, JUnit) | Advanced dashboards |
| Performance testing | Not supported | Core feature |
CI/CD Integration Comparison
Newman in CI/CD
Newman is designed for automation-first workflows:
- Simple CLI commands
- Easy integration with GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins
- Fast execution, suitable for every build
Example use case: Run API regression tests on every pull request
JMeter in CI/CD
JMeter can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines but requires more setup:
- Headless (non-GUI) execution is recommended
- Higher resource consumption
- Better suited for scheduled or milestone-based runs
Example use case: Run load tests before release or major deployment
Ease of Use and Maintenance
Newman
- Minimal setup
- Easy for beginners and non-developers
- Low maintenance cost
JMeter
- More complex test plans
- Requires performance testing knowledge
- Higher maintenance effort
When Should You Choose Newman?
Newman is a good choice if:
- The team already uses Postman for manual API testing
- Run API regression tests automatically
- Need fast feedback in a CI/CD pipeline
- Prefer a lightweight tool that is easy to maintain
Example:
Imagine your team has a Postman collection that checks login, user profile, and order APIs. Every time a developer pushes new code, you want to make sure these APIs still work.
With Newman, you can run the same Postman collection automatically in CI/CD. If any API test fails, the pipeline fails immediately and the team knows something is broken. In this case, Newman helps catch issues early without adding much complexity to the testing process.
When Should You Choose JMeter?
JMeter is a good choice if:
- Need to test how your API performs with many users at the same time
- Run load or stress tests before a release
- Performance and response time are more important than simple functional checks
- The team is prepared to handle a more complex tool
JMeter is not usually run on every commit. Instead, it is best used at key stages, such as before major releases or after big system changes
Newman and JMeter Together: A Practical Approach
In real-world projects, Newman and JMeter are often used together, not as replacements.
- Newman → API regression testing on every commit
- JMeter → Load and stress testing at release stages
This combination provides both functional correctness and performance confidence.
Conclusion
Newman and JMeter serve different purposes in API testing:
- Newman excels at fast, automated API functional testing in CI/CD
- JMeter excels at performance and scalability testing