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Temba vs JSON Server

Temba and JSON Server share the same goal — a quick, zero-config REST API for development and prototyping. While they overlap significantly, they differ in which features are built-in versus requiring customization.

This comparison uses JSON Server version v0.17.4.

At a glance​

✅ Built-in🟡 Requires customization❌ Not supported
FeatureTembaJSON Server
Built onNode HTTPExpress
CRUD REST behavior✅✅
Resources
Plural resources✅✅
Single resources❌✅
Nested (parent-child)❌✅
Restrict resources✅❌
Data persistence
In-memory✅✅
Single JSON file✅✅
JSON file per resource✅❌
MongoDB✅❌
Querying
Filtering✅✅
Sorting❌✅
Pagination❌✅
Slicing❌✅
Full-text search❌✅
Autogenerate API docs (OpenAPI)✅❌
Extensibility / customization
Middleware✅✅
Custom resource routes🟡✅
Other custom routes🟡✅
Authentication🟡🟡
Validation✅🟡
Modify responses✅✅
Realtime / events (WebSockets)✅❌
Static hosting / routing✅✅
Configuration
Config file✅✅
CLI❌✅
Traffic controls & HTTP semantics
Rate limiting✅🟡
CORS✅✅
JSONP❌✅
ETags✅🟡
Read-only mode❌✅
Response delay🟡✅
Gzip❌✅

When to pick which​

1) Quick mock API from a local data file​

Both tools are equally suitable here. JSON Server's CLI-first workflow makes it quick to get started with a local db.json, while Temba works just as well for spinning up a mock API with in-memory or file-based data.

2) API-first development with stronger built-in API governance​

Temba is a strong fit when you want OpenAPI output, request validation, ETags, and rate limiting available as built-in documented features.

3) Realtime updates and response customization hooks​

Temba is a strong fit when you want documented built-in WebSocket change events and dedicated request/response interception hooks.

Sources​