What is Zerocode used for?

Zerocode is a Java automated testing framework that defines API, Kafka, database and load tests in simple JSON or YAML with no coding. It is a good fit for writing API regression tests without code, validating Kafka message flows, and testing data pipelines and databases.

Is Zerocode open source?

Yes. Zerocode is open source under the Apache-2.0 licence. Its source code is on GitHub at authorjapps/zerocode and is written mainly in Java.

Yes. Zerocode is open source, so the software itself is free to use.

What is Zerocode an alternative to?

Zerocode is an open-source alternative to ReadyAPI and Parasoft. Other open-source alternatives to ReadyAPI include Karate, Step CI and Mockoon.

Is Zerocode actively maintained?

Yes. The most recent commit to Zerocode was on 22 September 2026, and the latest release is 1.4.4, published on 31 August 2026. The project has 1k stars on GitHub.

Zerocode: open-source alternative to ReadyAPI, Parasoft

About Zerocode

Zerocode, also called zerocode-tdd, is a community-developed open-source testing framework for REST and SOAP APIs, microservices, Kafka data streams, databases and ETL or data pipelines. Test scenarios are written in JSON or YAML, so testers can create and maintain automated checks with very little code.

The framework handles response validation, invoking target APIs, load and stress testing and security testing through straightforward steps. A command-line companion called Steply lets you run tests directly from a terminal, and Zerocode is also available as a Maven dependency for Java projects. Documentation is indexed and searchable, and a Slack channel and mailing list support users. The README gives an example of validating a REST GET request against an expected payload and status code.

Zerocode is written in Java and licensed under Apache-2.0, and runs in your own build or CI environment. It suits developers and QA engineers who want declarative API and Kafka tests that non-programmers can read and maintain.

Key features

Tests defined in JSON or YAML
REST, SOAP, and Kafka testing
Database and ETL pipeline testing
Load and stress test scenarios
Steply command-line runner
Maven dependency for Java projects

Good fit for

→Writing API regression tests without code
→Validating Kafka message flows
→Testing data pipelines and databases

Built with: Java
Tags: api-testing; test-automation; kafka; java; json; yaml; low-code; etl-testing; load-testing

Zerocode: questions and answers

What is Zerocode used for?: Zerocode is a Java automated testing framework that defines API, Kafka, database and load tests in simple JSON or YAML with no coding. It is a good fit for writing API regression tests without code, validating Kafka message flows, and testing data pipelines and databases.
Is Zerocode open source?: Yes. Zerocode is open source under the Apache-2.0 licence. Its source code is on GitHub at authorjapps/zerocode and is written mainly in Java.
Is Zerocode free?: Yes. Zerocode is open source, so the software itself is free to use.
What is Zerocode an alternative to?: Zerocode is an open-source alternative to ReadyAPI and Parasoft. Other open-source alternatives to ReadyAPI include Karate, Step CI and Mockoon.
Is Zerocode actively maintained?: Yes. The most recent commit to Zerocode was on 22 September 2026, and the latest release is 1.4.4, published on 31 August 2026. The project has 1k stars on GitHub.