About Thunder Client
Thunder Client is a commercial REST API client delivered as an extension for Visual Studio Code, with a newer plugin for JetBrains IDEs. It lets developers send requests and inspect responses without leaving their editor, and it positions itself as a lightweight alternative to larger API clients such as Postman. It also supports GraphQL queries.
API client data is stored locally for privacy, and collections can be saved to a Git repository so teams can share them. Responses can be tested through a GUI without writing scripts, and a command line interface is available. The company is based in Ireland and says the service is built and hosted in the EU. Thunder Client is proprietary software, with documentation, a pricing page and account sign-up on its site.
Key features
- REST client inside VS Code and JetBrains
- GraphQL query support
- Collections stored locally
- Git sync for sharing collections
- Scriptless response testing in a GUI
- Command line interface
Good fit for
- →Testing APIs without switching windows
- →Sharing request collections through Git
- Tags
- api-client
- vscode
- rest
- graphql
- api-testing
- jetbrains
- git-sync
Thunder Client: questions and answers
- What is Thunder Client used for?
- Thunder Client is a lightweight REST API client that runs inside VS Code and JetBrains IDEs, with local storage and Git sync for collections. It is a good fit for testing APIs without switching windows and sharing request collections through Git.
- Is Thunder Client free?
- Yes. Thunder Client has a free plan, and paid plans start at $3 per seat per month. A free trial is also available.
- Is Thunder Client open source?
- No. Thunder Client is proprietary (closed-source) software. Open-source alternatives to Thunder Client include Hoppscotch, Bruno and Insomnia.
- Can I self-host Thunder Client?
- Yes. Although Thunder Client is closed source, it can be self-hosted on your own servers.
- What are some alternatives to Thunder Client?
- Thunder Client competes with Postman, Kreya and Apidog. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Thunder Client alternatives.
Open-source alternatives to Thunder Client
See all
Hoppscotch
API Tools
Helps you create requests faster, saving precious time on development.
MITvs Postman★ 81k
Bruno
API Tools
Bruno is the Git-native API client for REST, GraphQL, gRPC and Websocket. A local and open
MITvs Postman★ 47k
Insomnia
API Tools
The open-source, cross-platform API client for GraphQL, REST, WebSockets, SSE and gRPC. Wi
Apache-2.0vs Postman★ 40k
Restfox
API Tools
Offline-First Minimalistic HTTP & Socket Testing Client for the Web & Desktop
MITvs Postman★ 2.8k
Chapar
API Tools
Chapar is a simple and easy to use api testing tools aims to help developers to test their
BSD-3-Clausevs Postman★ 714
Firecamp
API Tools
Developer-first OpenSource API DevTool, Postman/Insomnia alternative.
AGPL-3.0vs Postman★ 2.6k
SaaS alternatives to Thunder Client
See all
Postman
API Tools
Postman is an API platform for designing, testing, documenting and monitoring APIs, with a desktop client, mock servers, collections and AI agent features.
SaaSKreya
API Tools
Desktop API client for gRPC, REST and WebSocket with file-based collections
SaaS
Apidog
API Tools
All-in-one tool for API design, debugging, testing and mocking
SaaS
Apifox
API Tools
API design, documentation, debugging, mocking and testing platform
SaaS
ApiRealTest
API Tools
API testing tool that runs requests in a user-like environment, positioned as a Postman alternative
SaaS
ReadyAPI
API Tools
SmartBear suite for functional, security and load testing of REST, SOAP and GraphQL APIs
SaaS

