Hoppscotch vs Thunder Client
Hoppscotch and Thunder Client are both popular tools in the API Development space. Hoppscotch 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 Hoppscotch if you want open-source api development ecosystem — lightweight and fast.. Hoppscotch's biggest strengths include completely free and open-source and lightning fast — runs in the browser with no bloat. It's also rated higher (4.2 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.
Open-source API development ecosystem — lightweight and fast.
Lightweight REST API client built directly into VS Code.
| Hoppscotch | Thunder Client | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing Model | Open-source | Freemium |
| Rating | ★ 4.2 | ★ 3.9 |
| Categories | API Development | API Development |
| Key Features | 6 features | 6 features |
| Feature | Hoppscotch | Thunder Client |
|---|---|---|
| REST, GraphQL, WebSocket, and MQTT support | ✓ | — |
| Browser-based — no installation needed | ✓ | — |
| API testing with pre and post-request scripts | ✓ | — |
| Team collaboration with shared collections | ✓ | — |
| Code generation in multiple languages | ✓ | — |
| Self-hosted option for enterprise teams | ✓ | — |
| 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 | — | ✓ |
Hoppscotch
Pros
- + Completely free and open-source
- + Lightning fast — runs in the browser with no bloat
- + Supports protocols beyond REST (GraphQL, WebSocket, MQTT)
- + Self-hostable for enterprise privacy requirements
Cons
- − Smaller ecosystem and plugin support than Postman
- − No built-in AI features yet
- − Team features require self-hosted enterprise edition
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 Hoppscotch if: you want open-source api development ecosystem — lightweight and fast.. It's completely free to use. It holds a higher user rating (4.2 vs 3.9). Keep in mind: smaller ecosystem and plugin support 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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