Swagger UI was the first of its kind, turning OpenAPI descriptions into API documentation back in 2011. It existed when OpenAPI was yet called “swagger”, even though this naming sometimes persists in API definition files naming (e.g. swagger.json even if files are written in OpenAPI 3.x).
Yet, Swagger UI was never built to publish API documentation out of a local machine. It was built because having to read through the code or creating a list my-api.json --endpoints command line tool would have been savage. Yet that’s what we heard countless times from our users: Swagger UI is offering a plain technical listing of endpoints. Even though there is this handy “try-it-out” feature, it lacks key features to make it ready for your users.
We still see some major software vendors using it on publicly facing sites, but at the cost of heavy customization, and user experience defects. Bump.sh is the alternative that brings in the modernity and flexibility expected in 2025.
Top 3 reasons to choose Bump.sh over Swagger UI
A future-proof API documentation workflow
Embedding a reference to your code-generated OpenAPI file at the root of your API basepath in a JavaScript snippet used to be enough. It’s not anymore. You have no clue what changed since the last code iteration, and no additional contextual information to properly onboard, unless you start cluttering your code with lengthy comments. And still, your tech writers have a hard time looking into it while it could’ve been simpler.
Bump.sh gives you a real API documentation workflow that scales:
- Git and docs-as-code workflows: Your API definitions live and evolve right next to your code. Whether your team prefers design-first or code-first, your OpenAPI contract always stays up-to-date. Our CI integrations help you automate deployments to your docs.
- Server-side processing: Unlike Swagger UI, which relies on the browser to fetch and render JSON files, Bump.sh processes your definition files server-side, unlocking a bunch of benefits we expose below, together with native support for
$reffiles, seamless publication of both OpenAPI and AsyncAPI specs, and more. - Searchable API catalogs: Once you move beyond a single API, search becomes essential. Bump.sh turns your collection of APIs into a searchable, centralized catalog. Plus, we generate APIs.json files automatically to make your docs discoverable by search engines, marketplaces, and automation tools.
- OpenAPI is way beyond 2.0: The
swagger-api/swagger-uiGithub repo shows an impressive list of open issues and yet a decreasing code frequency since 2022. Bump.sh takes pride in keeping up with the latest versions of OpenAPI as soon as they’re available. We supported 3.1 on the day of its release. We support webhooks and Overlays. And as your dedicated doc tool team, whenever there is something we don’t support yet that you need, we make it happen in a few days, or even a few hours. Our close collaboration with Elastic.co allowed us to quickly deliver the elements and features they needed to reach the level of experience their users expected.
A refined developer experience
Swagger UI made it easy for developers to interact with an API locally. But for end users? Its UI hasn’t kept up. No 3-column layout. Minimal customization. And usability suffers as soon as the API gets complex.
What sets us apart:
- Modern layout and easy branding customization: Inspired by the best docs out there (think Stripe), Bump.sh offers a polished, 3-column layout by default. Plus, through our UI customization panel, it’s easy to add your logo, update colors, or connect a custom domain—no need to touch code unless you want to.
- Blazing-fast load times: try this at home; run any Swagger UI-powered doc through PageSpeed Insights. Then do the same with Bump.sh. The difference is immediate—even on “small” APIs. For larger ones, it’s not even close. And we now all know that speed impacts SEO.
- Deep integration capabilities: Bump.sh isn’t just a standalone doc viewer. You can fully embed it into existing documentation sites—preserving your current layout, menus, and branding. Prefer using a sub-path like
/docs/apiinstead of spinning up a new subdomain? You can. Need to apply custom styles or JavaScript for a cohesive visual experience? You’re covered. - Enhanced API Explorer: Try-it-out features in Swagger UI work for simple cases, but things can get clunky with more complex endpoints. Bump.sh’s API Explorer is purpose-built for usability: a clean, form-based UI that supports even advanced requests, with documentation always accessible in a side panel. Add to that pre-filled examples, shareable request URLs, and you’ve got a real developer tool.
Built for live, production docs
Creating API docs is only half the job. Making sure the right people have access to the right info is the other half. Bump.sh was designed from the ground up for that exact need: to help teams manage, publish, and maintain API docs at scale—internally, publicly, or with partners.
- Access management for internal, private, or partner docs: Whether you’re publishing public API docs or sharing private documentation with select users, Bump.sh gives you full control over who can access what. Create separate portals (Hubs), set visibility levels, and authenticate users using multiple SSO directories to cover both internal teams and external partners.
- SEO-optimized from day one: because of our server-side parsing, docs are published in their entirety to the web and crawlable by default. The page structure, use of metadata and titles optimize it even further. Unlike client-side Swagger UI setups, Bump.sh makes your APIs discoverable.
- Changelogs and release workflows: With Bump.sh, you can automatically generate changelogs every time your API contract evolves, so your users always know what changed. Use our release management tools to publish updates at your own pace and clearly communicate breaking or non-breaking changes across versions.
They switched from Swagger UI to Bump.sh
Aviobook, a Thalès Group company, needed to productize their API. Impossible without the right docs. Bump.sh made it happen.