Scalar offers a modern open-source API reference and a hosted platform. ApiNotes is the hosted option with a changelog and breaking-change alerts included from the free plan.
Scalar is a popular newer API platform with an open-source (MIT) API reference component, an API client, SDK generation and hosted docs. Its free plan hosts OpenAPI docs and the API client for up to three APIs with a 25-endpoint limit and one editor seat; custom domains and Git sync arrive on Pro at $150 per month ($125 billed yearly).
ApiNotes adds the change-communication layer: every push is diffed, the changelog is written, breaking changes are flagged and subscribers are emailed. Custom domain, private docs and five team members are in the $19/month Team plan.
| Feature | Scalar | ApiNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Basics | ||
| What it is | API reference, client and SDK platform | Hosted docs + changelog platform |
| Hosting included | ✅ Included | ✅ your-api.apinotes.io, CDN-cached |
| Custom domain | ⚠️ Pro plan and above | ✅ CNAME, TLS handled (Team) |
| Documentation | ||
| Layout | ✅ Modern three-column | ✅ Three-column reference |
| Code samples | ✅ Multiple languages | ✅ 10+ languages per endpoint |
| Try-it console | ✅ Built-in API client | ✅ Try-it panel with auth |
| Search | ✅ Built-in search | ✅ Full-text across endpoints and guides |
| Guides and prose pages | ✅ Markdown / MDX (Pro) | ✅ Documentation editor |
| Server-side rendering / SEO | ✅ Server-rendered | ✅ SSR, indexable, per-project meta |
| Change management | ||
| Version history | ✅ Git sync (Pro) | ✅ Every push kept, switch versions in docs |
| Automatic changelog | ⚠️ Not generated from spec diffs | ✅ Written from the spec diff on every push |
| Breaking-change detection | ❌ | ✅ Flagged per release |
| Email subscribers + RSS/JSON feed | ❌ | ✅ 25 on Starter, unlimited on Team |
| CI/CD and access | ||
| Publish from CI | ✅ Git sync and CLI | ✅ GitHub Action or one API call |
| PR comment with breaking changes | ❌ | ✅ GitHub Action (Team) |
| Spec validation | ✅ Spec validation | ✅ Validator with line numbers and hints |
| Private docs | ⚠️ Access groups (Pro) | ✅ Password or magic link (Team) |
| Price | Free / $150 (Pro) / $600 (Business) per month | Free Starter / $19 per month Team, flat |
Scalar plan details from scalar.com/pricing as of October 2026. The open-source Scalar API Reference is MIT-licensed. Verified October 2026.
Scalar's Free plan hosts up to three APIs, capped at 25 endpoints, with one editor seat. Larger specs need Pro.
ApiNotes Starter hosts a public API with the changelog, breaking-change detection and 25 subscribers.
Custom domains, access groups and Markdown content are Pro features at $150 per month ($125 billed yearly).
The $19 Team plan includes a custom domain, private docs, 25 guest readers, branding and five team members.
Scalar is strong at rendering, testing and SDK generation. It does not write a changelog from spec differences or email consumers when versions change.
Spec diffs become changelog entries with breaking changes flagged, plus RSS / JSON feeds and subscriber emails.
The Scalar API Reference is open source and can be self-hosted. Paid plans add SDK generation per API.
ApiNotes is a hosted product and does not generate SDKs. If self-hosting or SDK generation matters, Scalar has the edge.
Scalar lists Free at $0 (3 APIs, 25 endpoints, 1 editor seat), Pro at $150 per month ($125 billed yearly), Business at $600 per month ($500 yearly) and custom Enterprise pricing. Extra SDKs cost more.
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.