Thunder Client moved core features behind Pro and Business tiers in April 2023, with cloud sync, environment variables, and team collections locked behind paid plans. The free local-only tier still works for one developer, but anything past that hits the paywall. The picks below cover the gap with three genuinely free options and one paid step-up that ships richer features.
Where alternatives win
REST Client is the closest swap for developers who want to stay in VS Code with .http files in Git and no paid tier ever.
Bruno keeps the local-file philosophy in a standalone app with plain text .bru files that diff cleanly in any Git repo.
Hoppscotch is the fully open-source option, running as a web app, desktop app, or Docker self-host on your own infrastructure.
Insomnia is the polished standalone with built-in mock servers, broad protocol coverage, and Pro cloud sync at $12 per user per month.
By Subrupt EditorialPublished Reviewed
Thunder Client started in 2019 as a free Postman alternative inside VS Code and racked up over four million extension installs. April 2023 changed the deal. Cloud sync, environment variables, team collections, and Git sync moved to the Pro tier, and a per-seat Business tier landed for teams. The free local-only tier still works for one developer, but anything past that hits the paywall.
The four picks below each take a different exit. REST Client is the closest like-for-like swap inside VS Code, with .http files committed to the repo replacing Thunder Client collections. Bruno keeps the same local-file philosophy but ships as a standalone app with a full UI. Hoppscotch is fully open-source and runs as a web app, desktop app, or Docker self-host. Insomnia is the polished standalone for teams that want broader protocol support and Pro cloud sync at roughly four times the Thunder Client Pro monthly rate.
Where Thunder Client still earns its keep: solo developers who genuinely want cloud sync across machines for the cost of two coffees a year and are happy living in VS Code. The math flips fast on Business. Five seats at the per-user Business rate puts you above Bruno Pro at the same headcount, roughly matches Hoppscotch Organization, and beats Insomnia Pro by about a third, and the latter three are not tied to one editor.
Quick map by what you want next. Stay in VS Code completely free: REST Client. Standalone app with Git-friendly text files: Bruno. Fully open-source web client you can self-host: Hoppscotch. Polished desktop with GraphQL, gRPC, WebSocket, and cloud sync: Insomnia.
Affiliate disclosure: Subrupt earns a commission when you switch to a service through our recommendation links. This never changes the price you pay. We only recommend services where there's a real cost or feature advantage for you, and our picks are based on the data on this page, not on which programs pay the most.
Quick pick by use case
If you only have thirty seconds, find your situation below and skip to that pick.
Insomnia Pro at $12/user/mo (annual) adds RBAC, 10K monthly mock requests, and the Inso CLI for CI runs.
Skip these picks if: Your hard requirement is editor-embedded cloud sync at a single low monthly cost; Thunder Client Pro at $3/mo is genuinely cheap for one developer who wants exactly that and nothing more.
At a glance: Thunder Client alternatives
Quick comparison across pricing floor, best fit, and switching effort. Tap a row to jump to the full pick.
Best for a polished standalone with broader protocol support
$0 (3 users with Git Sync)
Low
Feature comparison
Feature
REST Client
Bruno
Hoppscotch
Insomnia
Lives in VS Code
✓
✗
✗
✗
Free forever (no paywall path)Full functionality available without paying
✓
✓
✓
✗
Git-native file formatCollections stored as diffable text files
yes (.http)
yes (.bru)
✗
~
Self-host option
n/a (extension)
n/a (local)
✓
✗
Built-in mock server
✗
✗
✗
✓
REST + GraphQL + gRPC + WS
~
✓
✓
✓
Active maintenance (release in last 12 months)
✗
✓
✓
✓
Entry paid tier
$0
$6/user/mo
$6/user/mo
$12/user/mo
Cost at your volume
Approximate cost per pick at typical users.
Pick
Solo (1)1 users
Small team (5)5 users
Mid team (20)20 users
REST Client
Free
Free
Free
Bruno
$6/mo
$30/mo
$120/mo
Hoppscotch
$6/mo
$30/mo
$120/mo
Insomnia
$12/mo
$60/mo
$240/mo
Modeled on each vendor's cheapest paid team tier where one is offered. REST Client has no paid tier at all (always $0). Bruno's OSS tier covers everything if you skip the Git UI extras; Hoppscotch's Free cloud tier covers small teams that don't need an admin dashboard. For reference, Thunder Client Pro is $3/mo solo and Business is $7 per user per month, so $35 at 5 users and $140 at 20.
REST Client lives in VS Code as a single MIT-licensed extension by Huachao Mao with over seven million installs. The workflow is .http or .rest files committed to your repo, with a CodeLens send button above each request and the response rendering in a side panel. No account, no cloud, no paywall.
The trade: The extension has not shipped a release since August 2022, which is the strongest signal against it. There is no built-in cloud sync (Git is your sync), no team workspace UI, and protocol coverage stops at REST plus GraphQL. WebSocket, gRPC, and any kind of mock server require a different tool.
The upside: For developers who already version-control everything alongside the code that calls it, REST Client matches the Thunder Client workflow exactly and costs nothing forever. Migration is a one-pass copy: paste each saved request as a block in a .http file with a ### separator and commit.
“If Visual Studio Code is already your editor of choice, then the REST Client extension is just a few clicks away, no need to install and use an external application to send your HTTP requests. The .http and .rest files can be safely committed to source control and shared with your development team.”
Strengths
+MIT licensed and free forever
+.http files commit cleanly to Git
+Over 7 million VS Code installs
+Zero account or cloud setup
Trade-offs
−No release since August 2022 (slow maintenance pace)
−No WebSocket, gRPC, or mock server
−VS Code only (no JetBrains or standalone app)
Free
$0 (MIT, no paid tier)
Installs
7M+ on VS Code Marketplace
Maintainer
Huachao Mao (independent)
Last release
August 2022
Pricing verified
2026-05-13
Migration steps
Install REST Client from the VS Code Marketplace (publisher humao.rest-client).
Create a file named requests.http in your repo and paste each Thunder Client request as a block separated by ### lines.
Move environment variables into a .vscode/settings.json rest-client.environmentVariables block, or read from a .env file via a request variable.
Commit the .http files to your repo and adopt the same PR review process you already use for code.
Cancel any Thunder Client Pro or Business seats once one sprint runs cleanly on REST Client.
Not for: Pass on REST Client if you need WebSocket, gRPC, hosted mock servers, or active maintainer attention; the project ships fewer than one major release per year.
Bruno was built around a single idea: API collections should be plain text files in your Git repo, owned by you, with no cloud account in the middle. Released in 2023, the project now sits at over 29,000 GitHub stars and an MIT-licensed open-source core that covers every request flow Thunder Client offers.
The trade: Bruno is a standalone app, not a VS Code extension, so the workflow gain of staying in the editor goes away. The Pro tier at $6 per user per month (annual) opens the Git integration UI, automation, and unlimited workspaces; the free OSS tier covers everything if you are comfortable using Git on the command line.
The upside: For a Thunder Client user whose main complaint was the paywall around cloud sync, Bruno removes the cloud entirely. Collections live in your repo and diff like any other source file, branch and merge work normally, and you keep the collections forever even if Bruno disappears tomorrow.
“Frustrated by these limitations, I discovered Bruno, a lightweight, open-source API client designed to address these pain points. Its offline-first, Git-friendly approach and minimalist design won me over.”
Strengths
+MIT licensed open-source core
+Plain text .bru files diff in Git like code
+Active maintainer with over 29,000 GitHub stars
+Free tier covers everything for solo and small teams
Trade-offs
−Standalone app (no VS Code embedding)
−Newer project (2023) with a smaller plugin ecosystem
−Closed-source extras require Pro at $6/user/mo annual
Open Source
$0 (MIT, unlimited local use)
Pro
$6/user/mo (annual) Git UI, automation
Ultimate
$11/user/mo (annual) SSO, audit logs
Founded
2023
Pricing verified
2026-05-13
Migration steps
Install Bruno from usebruno.com (no account required for the open-source core).
Export Thunder Client collections from the Thunder Client UI as JSON.
Import the JSON into Bruno; the converter writes one .bru file per request and preserves environments.
Commit the new .bru files to your repo alongside the code they test.
Cancel Thunder Client Pro or Business once your daily flow runs cleanly on Bruno.
Not for: Bruno is the wrong fit if your hard requirement is staying in VS Code without a second window; REST Client is shaped better for that constraint.
Hoppscotch is the open-source pick that runs anywhere. The web app at hoppscotch.io needs no install, a downloadable desktop ships separately, and Docker self-host lets you run the whole thing on your own infrastructure. The MIT license covers every deployment path, and protocol coverage is the broadest on this list: REST, GraphQL, WebSocket, Server-Sent Events, and MQTT all ship in the core.
The trade: The UX is less polished than Insomnia, and the self-host path requires Docker plus a Postgres database. There is no native VS Code integration; for Thunder Client refugees who specifically wanted to stay in the editor, this one is the wrong shape.
The upside: For teams in regulated industries, air-gapped environments, or data-sovereignty jurisdictions, Hoppscotch is the only credible self-host option on this list. The Organization cloud tier at $6 per user per month covers teams that prefer hosted; the Enterprise self-host adds SAML SSO and audit logs with paid support.
+Web app, desktop app, or self-host (all options shipped)
Trade-offs
−UX less polished than Insomnia or Postman
−Self-host requires Docker plus Postgres operations
−No VS Code extension
Free
$0 (web, desktop, or self-host)
Organization
$6/user/mo (annual) admin dashboard
Enterprise self-host
Free with paid support
Protocols
REST, GraphQL, WS, SSE, MQTT
Pricing verified
2026-05-13
Migration steps
Try the web app at hoppscotch.io with no account required.
Recreate Thunder Client collections, or import them via the JSON converter (Thunder Client exports the same JSON shape as Postman).
If self-hosting, deploy via the official Docker Compose with a Postgres backend.
Configure SAML SSO if needed for the team; verify parity on a single workspace before broad rollout.
Cancel Thunder Client seats once one full sprint runs on Hoppscotch.
Not for: Hoppscotch is the wrong fit if you want a polished native desktop UX or a VS Code-embedded client; Insomnia or REST Client are shaped better for those cases.
Insomnia is the polished standalone pick. The open-source desktop client is free, and Kong's hosted cloud adds team sync, RBAC, and a mock server on top at $12 per user per month on Pro. Protocol coverage spans REST, GraphQL, gRPC, and WebSocket in one app.
The trade: The Essentials free tier caps at three users for Git Sync, so any real team adoption flips to paid. Kong ownership concentrates the API tooling stack (Kong also sells the gateway), which some teams view as vendor consolidation risk. And like Bruno and Hoppscotch, this one lives outside VS Code.
The upside: For Thunder Client users who actually wanted a richer client than the VS Code extension shape allows, Insomnia ships REST, GraphQL, gRPC, and WebSocket support in one polished app with cloud sync at roughly four times the Thunder Client Pro monthly rate. The mock server, the OpenAPI tooling, and the Inso CLI for CI are the meaningful step-ups over Thunder Client.
Strengths
+REST, GraphQL, gRPC, and WebSocket all supported
+Built-in mock server (10K req/mo on Pro)
+Inso CLI for CI/CD runs
+Open-source desktop core
Trade-offs
−Pro at $12/user/mo is the priciest pick on this list
−Free Essentials tier caps Git Sync at 3 users
−Kong ownership concentrates the API tooling stack
Essentials
$0 (3 users with Git Sync)
Pro
$12/user/mo (annual) unlimited users, RBAC
Enterprise
$45/user/mo SSO, SCIM, vault
Owned by
Kong (since 2019)
Pricing verified
2026-05-13
Migration steps
Install Insomnia from insomnia.rest (no account required for the open-source desktop core).
Import Thunder Client collections via the JSON export/import flow.
Run the Essentials free tier for the first three team members, or buy Pro seats for larger teams.
Migrate environments and any scripted tests; the surface is broader than Thunder Client so most workflows port directly with new capabilities available.
Cancel Thunder Client once one full sprint runs on Insomnia.
Not for: Pass on Insomnia if your hard requirement is staying free at every team size; REST Client, Bruno OSS, and Hoppscotch self-host all cover that and Insomnia Pro does not.
Paid plans from $5.00/mo
When to stay with Thunder Client
Stay with Thunder Client if you are a solo developer whose flow is genuinely faster inside VS Code, cloud sync across your own machines is the only feature you actually buy, and the $49 annual Pro license is acceptable. The picks below favor developers escaping the per-seat Business tier, anyone running on a team larger than three users, or anyone who specifically wants a fully open-source path.
We scored each alternative on workflow fit (does the client live inside VS Code, run as a standalone app, or stay in a browser), feature scope (REST-only versus full protocol coverage), and total annual cost at three team sizes. Each pick leads on one axis: editor integration, file format, openness, or protocol breadth.
Pricing was pulled directly from each vendor's pricing page or marketplace listing on 2026-05-13 and cross-checked against vendor release notes. The Usage Cost Table above models the recommended paid tier at three volumes; the picks rationale notes where each vendor's free fallback still covers the full workflow.
Last refreshed 2026-05-13.
Update history1 update
Initial published version on full Stage 2 schema (structured verdict, Quick Verdict, Feature Matrix, Usage Cost Table, sourced testimonials, per-pick author ratings). Added REST Client (humao.rest-client) to the api-clients catalog as the VS Code-native free pick.
Frequently asked questions about Thunder Client alternatives
Why did Thunder Client switch to a paid model in 2023?
In April 2023 Thunder Client moved cloud sync, team collections, environment variables, and Git sync behind the Pro and Business tiers. The maintainer stated the project needed paid revenue to sustain ongoing development. Long-time users lost access to existing cloud-synced collections without subscribing, which generated significant backlash on GitHub and on dev.to at the time.
Can I export my Thunder Client collections to another tool?
Yes. Thunder Client exports collections as JSON in the same shape as Postman. Bruno, Insomnia, Hoppscotch, and REST Client all accept that JSON either via direct import or via a one-pass converter. Environment variables and folder structure port cleanly; any pre-request scripts may need minor adjustments.
What is the difference between REST Client and Thunder Client?
Thunder Client is a closed-source extension with a GUI for building requests, plus paid tiers for cloud sync and team collections. REST Client is an MIT-licensed extension where requests are written as plain text in .http files committed to Git. REST Client is free forever with no paid tier; the trade is that its release pace is slow (no major release since August 2022).
Is Insomnia worth the price jump from Thunder Client Business?
It depends on what you actually use. Thunder Client Business at $7 per user per month gives you REST plus GraphQL inside VS Code; Insomnia Pro is roughly 70 percent more per seat and adds gRPC, WebSocket, a built-in mock server, the Inso CLI for CI, and full Git Sync without a 3-user cap. If your team uses any of those, the upgrade pays for itself. If you only need REST and GraphQL inside VS Code, Thunder Client Business is the better fit.
Does any of these have a free tier that actually works for teams?
Three of the four. REST Client is free forever with no tiers at all. Bruno's open-source core is free and unlimited for any team size; the only paid extras are the Git UI and automation. Hoppscotch self-host is free with Docker, and the Free cloud tier covers small teams that don't need an admin dashboard. Insomnia's Essentials free tier caps at three users for Git Sync.
Ready to switch?
Our top Thunder Client alternative: REST Client
REST Client is the closest swap for developers who want to stay in VS Code with .http files in Git and no paid tier ever.
The team behind subrupt.com. We track subscriptions, surface cheaper alternatives, and publish comparisons where the score formula is on the page so you can recompute it yourself. We do not claim 30,000 hours of testing. What we claim is live pricing from our database, a transparent composite score, and honest savings math against a category baseline.
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