Our take
Pick ReadMe if aPI teams who will stay on Starter at $0 (1 project, 1 published version, custom domain) while they merge a first Suggested Edit, then buy Pro at $250 / month billed annually when they need Changelog, Recipes, branching, and teammates. Pick Scalar if aPI teams who will stay on Free $0 (3 APIs, 1 SDK ≤25 endpoints, 1 editor) during the 7-day Pro trial, then buy Pro at $150/month ($125 billed yearly)
API docs + client + SDK desk
Best for
ReadMe API docs plus an edit queue you start at $0
Scalar Docs, SDKs, and MCP metered by API size and editor seats
Free plan
ReadMe $0 · / month. Free for everyone. 1 project. 1 published version. Custom domain, bi-directional sync, interactive API reference, usage metrics, Markdown editor, themes. Ask AI is a $150 / month add-on
Scalar $0 · no card. 3 APIs. 1 SDK up to 25 endpoints. 1 editor seat. Hosted docs + Client + landing pages. 50 Agent credits. No hosted MCP. No Git Sync
Lowest paid
ReadMe Pro $250/mo yearly
Scalar Pro $150/mo yearly
Next step up
ReadMe
Scalar Business $600/mo yearly
Coding agent
ReadMe
Scalar Hosted MCP servers
Runs where
ReadMe Hosted
Scalar
Watch out
ReadMe Starter is 1 project and 1 published version
Scalar After the 7-day trial, publishing Docs is paid
Last checked
ReadMe 2026-10-23 · readme.com/pricing
Scalar 2026-10-22 · scalar.com/pricing
aPI teams who will stay on Starter at $0 (1 project, 1 published version, custom domain) while they merge a first Suggested Edit, then buy Pro at $250 / month billed annually when they need Changelog, Recipes, branching, and teammates.
Read the ReadMe pageaPI teams who will stay on Free $0 (3 APIs, 1 SDK ≤25 endpoints, 1 editor) during the 7-day Pro trial, then buy Pro at $150/month ($125 billed yearly) when they need Git Sync, hosted MCP, and 5 editor seats.
Read the Scalar page