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json-server

Full fake REST API from a JSON file in seconds

Developer Tools & Git ★ 75.7k stars Easy setup MIT

json-server is an open-source tool that creates a full fake REST API from a single JSON file with zero coding. It is widely used for prototyping and self-hosted mock backends during development.

Official siteSource code

Key features

  • Instant REST API
  • JSON file backend
  • Full CRUD support
  • Custom routes

Pros & cons

Strengths

  • Zero-code setup
  • Instant REST endpoints
  • Great for prototyping

Trade-offs

  • Not production-grade
  • Node.js required

Is json-server secure?

OSV.dev has no published security advisories for json-server's repository. No known vulnerabilities is not proof of security: it means none have been publicly catalogued.

Source: OSV.dev, checked 2026-10-14. How this is measured.

json-server replaces

Self-hosted Mockoon alternativesSelf-hosted Postman Mock alternatives

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SelfHostIndex: 79 · good

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