Bruno vs Thunder Client
Bruno and Thunder Client are both popular tools in the API Development space. Bruno uses a open-source model starting at Free, while Thunder Client is freemium from Free. Both offer a free tier to get started. Below we break down features, pricing, strengths, and weaknesses to help you decide which tool fits your workflow best.
Last updated: March 2026
Quick Verdict
Choose Bruno if you want offline-first, git-friendly api client that stores requests in files.. Bruno's biggest strengths include git-friendly file storage is a game-changer for teams and offline-first means no dependency on cloud services. It's also rated higher (4.0 vs 3.9). Choose Thunder Client if you prefer lightweight rest api client built directly into vs code.. Key advantages include no context switching — api testing in your editor and lightweight and fast compared to desktop apps.
Offline-first, git-friendly API client that stores requests in files.
Lightweight REST API client built directly into VS Code.
| Bruno | Thunder Client | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing Model | Open-source | Freemium |
| Rating | ★ 4.0 | ★ 3.9 |
| Categories | API Development | API Development |
| Key Features | 6 features | 6 features |
| Feature | Bruno | Thunder Client |
|---|---|---|
| File-based API collections (git-friendly) | ✓ | — |
| Offline-first — no cloud sync required | ✓ | — |
| REST and GraphQL support | ✓ | — |
| Environment variables and scripting | ✓ | — |
| CLI for CI/CD integration | ✓ | — |
| Import from Postman and Insomnia | ✓ | — |
| REST API testing inside VS Code | — | ✓ |
| Environment variables and request collections | — | ✓ |
| Test scripting for automated validation | — | ✓ |
| Git-friendly JSON file storage | — | ✓ |
| GraphQL support | — | ✓ |
| Import from Postman, Insomnia, and OpenAPI | — | ✓ |
Bruno
Pros
- + Git-friendly file storage is a game-changer for teams
- + Offline-first means no dependency on cloud services
- + Free and open-source with no usage limits
- + Fast and lightweight compared to Postman
Cons
- − Smaller feature set than Postman
- − No built-in AI features
- − Team collaboration relies on git rather than built-in sharing
Thunder Client
Pros
- + No context switching — API testing in your editor
- + Lightweight and fast compared to desktop apps
- + Git-friendly file storage for team collaboration
- + Easy migration from Postman with import feature
Cons
- − Less feature-rich than Postman for complex workflows
- − Advanced features require paid plan
- − VS Code only — not available in other editors
The Bottom Line
Choose Bruno if: you want offline-first, git-friendly api client that stores requests in files.. It's completely free to use. It holds a higher user rating (4.0 vs 3.9). Keep in mind: smaller feature set than postman.
Choose Thunder Client if: you prefer lightweight rest api client built directly into vs code.. It's completely free to use. Keep in mind: less feature-rich than postman for complex workflows.
Both tools compete in the API Development space. The right choice depends on your specific needs, team size, and budget.
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