ReadMe is a full developer hub. ApiNotes is the lighter option for teams whose docs come from an OpenAPI file: hosted reference, automatic changelog, breaking-change alerts and subscriber emails, at a flat price.
ReadMe is a mature, hosted developer hub with an API explorer, guides, recipes, usage metrics and a polished editing experience. It syncs from an OpenAPI file through its CLI or GitHub integration. It is also priced for larger teams: at the time of writing the Pro plan is $250 per month billed annually, and private docs and the changelog start on that tier.
ApiNotes is narrower on purpose. It publishes the OpenAPI file as hosted docs and then does the part ReadMe leaves to a person: it diffs each version, writes the changelog entry, flags breaking changes and emails subscribers. The changelog is on the free plan, and Team is $19/month flat.
| Feature | ReadMe | ApiNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Basics | ||
| What it is | Hosted developer hub | Hosted docs + changelog platform |
| Hosting included | ✅ Included | ✅ your-api.apinotes.io, CDN-cached |
| Custom domain | ✅ Custom domain | ✅ CNAME, TLS handled (Team) |
| Documentation | ||
| Layout | ✅ Reference plus guides | ✅ Three-column reference |
| Code samples | ✅ Multiple languages | ✅ 10+ languages per endpoint |
| Try-it console | ✅ API Explorer | ✅ Try-it panel with auth |
| Search | ✅ Built-in search | ✅ Full-text across endpoints and guides |
| Guides and prose pages | ✅ Strong guides and recipes editor | ✅ Documentation editor |
| Server-side rendering / SEO | ✅ Server-rendered | ✅ SSR, indexable, per-project meta |
| Change management | ||
| Version history | ⚠️ One version on the free plan, more on paid | ✅ Every push kept, switch versions in docs |
| Automatic changelog | ⚠️ Changelog posts are written by hand (paid) | ✅ Written from the spec diff on every push |
| Breaking-change detection | ❌ | ✅ Flagged per release |
| Email subscribers + RSS/JSON feed | ⚠️ Not driven by spec changes | ✅ 25 on Starter, unlimited on Team |
| CI/CD and access | ||
| Publish from CI | ✅ CLI and GitHub sync | ✅ GitHub Action or one API call |
| PR comment with breaking changes | ❌ | ✅ GitHub Action (Team) |
| Spec validation | ⚠️ Spec checks on sync | ✅ Validator with line numbers and hints |
| Private docs | ⚠️ Paid plans | ✅ Password or magic link (Team) |
| Price | Free / $250 per month (Pro, billed annually) | Free Starter / $19 per month Team, flat |
ReadMe plans and prices change; verified from readme.com/pricing. Verified October 2026.
ReadMe is built around a hub you edit: guides, recipes, a changelog and an API reference side by side. It rewards teams with technical writers who curate that content.
ApiNotes starts from the spec. The reference, the version history and the changelog come from the OpenAPI file, and a documentation editor lets you add guides next to them.
ReadMe's changelog is a place to publish release posts that someone writes. On the current pricing page it is a Pro-and-above feature.
ApiNotes writes the entry for you from the spec diff, marks breaking changes and emails subscribers. The last 10 releases are free; full history is on Team.
Private docs and unlimited versions sit on the Pro tier or above.
Team ($19/month) includes private docs with a password or 25 magic-link guest readers, a custom domain, your branding and five team members.
A hub takes time to set up well: structure, guides, theming, sync. That effort pays off for large developer programs.
Paste a spec and the docs are live in under a minute, then add the GitHub Action when you want publishing on merge.
ReadMe has a free Starter plan, a Pro plan at $250 per month billed annually, and custom Enterprise pricing. Private docs, unlimited versions and the changelog are paid features. Check readme.com/pricing for current terms.
Starter, $0: 1 public API, hosted docs, changelog for the last 10 releases, breaking-change detection, 25 subscribers, GitHub Action, Try-it panel. Team, $19/month flat: 5 APIs, full changelog history, unlimited subscribers, PR comments, private docs, 25 guest readers, custom domain, your own branding, 5 team members. 14-day trial, no card needed.
Paste the same OpenAPI file you use today. Hosted docs, a changelog and breaking-change alerts are live in under a minute.