What should I use to generate interactive API reference docs?

If you want interactive API reference docs, the best choice depends on what kind of API you have and how much setup you want.

Common good options

• OpenAPI / Swagger UI

  • Best if your API is described with an OpenAPI spec
  • Gives you interactive “try it out” docs
  • Very common and easy to host

• Redoc

  • Also uses OpenAPI
  • Cleaner, more polished documentation UI
  • Great for readable reference docs, though less “playground-like” than Swagger UI

• Scalar

  • Modern interactive docs experience for OpenAPI
  • Nice design and good developer UX
  • A good alternative to Swagger UI / Redoc

• Stoplight

  • Good if you want a more complete API design and docs platform
  • Supports interactive docs and API lifecycle workflows

• Mintlify

  • Great for product/docs sites with API reference pages
  • Easy to make docs look polished and modern
  • Works well with OpenAPI and code-based docs

My quick recommendation

• If you already have an OpenAPI spec: start with Swagger UI or Redoc
• If you want the nicest modern interactive experience: look at Scalar
• If you want full docs platform + collaboration: Stoplight
• If you want a polished docs site for developers: Mintlify

If you tell me:

1. your API format (REST/OpenAPI, GraphQL, gRPC, etc.), and
2. whether you want self-hosted or SaaS,

I can recommend the best tool more precisely.