Thunder Client vs Bruno
Thunder Client and Bruno are both popular tools in the API Development space. Thunder Client uses a freemium model starting at Free, while Bruno is open-source 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 Thunder Client if you want lightweight rest api client built directly into vs code.. Thunder Client's biggest strengths include no context switching — api testing in your editor and lightweight and fast compared to desktop apps. Choose Bruno if you prefer offline-first, git-friendly api client that stores requests in files.. Key advantages 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).
Lightweight REST API client built directly into VS Code.
Offline-first, git-friendly API client that stores requests in files.
| Thunder Client | Bruno | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Open-source |
| Rating | ★ 3.9 | ★ 4.0 |
| Categories | API Development | API Development |
| Key Features | 6 features | 6 features |
| Feature | Thunder Client | Bruno |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | — |
| 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 | — | ✓ |
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
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
The Bottom Line
Choose Thunder Client if: you want 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.
Choose Bruno if: you prefer 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.
Both tools compete in the API Development space. The right choice depends on your specific needs, team size, and budget.
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