Discover the Best Advanced REST Client (ARC) Alternatives for API Testing

If you're a web developer, you're likely familiar with Advanced REST Client (ARC), a popular tool for creating and testing custom HTTP requests. While ARC has served many well, the evolving landscape of API development means there's a constant need to explore new tools that offer enhanced features, better integrations, or a more tailored user experience. This article dives into the best Advanced REST Client (ARC) alternatives, helping you find the perfect fit for your API testing and development workflows.

Top Advanced REST Client (ARC) Alternatives

Whether you're looking for a free, open-source, or commercial solution across various operating systems and web platforms, this comprehensive list of over 25 apps similar to Advanced REST Client (ARC) will guide your search. We've highlighted key features, supported platforms, and why each is a strong contender as an Advanced REST Client (ARC) alternative.

Postman

Postman is a leading Advanced REST Client (ARC) alternative, providing extensive functionality for API development and testing. It supports Mac, Windows, Linux, Web, and Chrome OS, offering features like REST API and SOAP API testing, CI/CD integration, and API Management. Its Freemium model makes it accessible for various users.

Fiddler

Fiddler is a powerful Web Debugging Proxy for Windows that serves as an excellent Advanced REST Client (ARC) alternative for traffic inspection. It allows you to log all HTTP(S) traffic, set breakpoints, and modify data, making it invaluable for debugging and monitoring HTTP traffic.

Insomnia REST Client

Insomnia REST Client is a simple yet powerful Advanced REST Client (ARC) alternative available on Mac, Windows, and Linux. It's an open-source, Freemium tool known for its lightweight design, cookie management, environment variables, code generation, and GraphQL integration, making API debugging more intuitive.

Paw

Paw is a commercial Mac-only Advanced REST Client (ARC) alternative that excels in crafting and testing HTTP requests. It offers features like easy-to-read responses, HTTP Headers setup, URL parameters, and team project synchronization, enhancing collaborative API development.

soapUI

soapUI is a highly regarded open-source and free Advanced REST Client (ARC) alternative for functional testing of web services, including SOAP, RESTful, HTTP, and JMS services. Available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, it provides intuitive nodes for comprehensive testing.

Postwoman

Postwoman, now known as Hoppscotch, is a free and open-source web-based API request builder. As an Advanced REST Client (ARC) alternative, it offers support for GET, PUT, POST, DELETE, and OPTIONS requests, authentication, parameters, and a progressive web app experience, making it a versatile choice for developers.

RESTer

RESTer is a free and open-source REST client available as a Firefox and Chrome extension for Mac, Windows, and Linux. It's a convenient Advanced REST Client (ARC) alternative for quick API testing directly from your browser, offering features like API management and project organization with variable support.

Runscope

Runscope is a Freemium web-based Advanced REST Client (ARC) alternative that helps monitor, log, and measure API usage. It provides comprehensive logging and debugging capabilities for public and private APIs across Mac, Windows, Linux, and the Web, making it ideal for solving API problems swiftly.

HTTP Toolkit

HTTP Toolkit is a beautiful, cross-platform, and open-source HTTP(S) debugging proxy, analyzer, and client. As an Advanced REST Client (ARC) alternative, it offers one-click setup, built-in support for Docker, Android, and GraphQL, and features like HTTP mocking and performance analysis across Mac, Windows, Linux, and Web.

HttpRequester

HttpRequester is a free and open-source Firefox tool for easily making HTTP requests (GET/PUT/POST/DELETE). This Advanced REST Client (ARC) alternative is useful for web or REST development, providing a history of transactions and debugging capabilities on Mac, Windows, and Linux.

Ultimately, the best Advanced REST Client (ARC) alternative for you will depend on your specific needs, preferred operating system, budget, and the scale of your API development projects. We encourage you to explore these options further to find the perfect tool that streamlines your workflow and enhances your API testing capabilities.