Unleash Your Data: The Best cURL Alternatives for Every Platform
cURL is a ubiquitous command-line tool and library for transferring data with URL syntax, supporting a wide range of protocols. It's a staple for developers and system administrators on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, BSD, and more. However, depending on your specific needs – whether it's a graphical interface, advanced scripting capabilities, or specialized protocol support – you might be looking for a robust cURL alternative. This article explores the top 19 applications similar to cURL, helping you discover free or Open Source options to optimize your workflow.
Top cURL Alternatives
While cURL is incredibly powerful, sometimes a different tool can offer a more tailored experience. Here's a curated list of excellent cURL alternatives, each bringing its own strengths to the table.
Wget
Wget is a fantastic free and Open Source cURL alternative, especially for those working with HTTP(S) and FTP protocols. It's a non-interactive command-line tool, making it ideal for scripting, cron jobs, and environments without graphical interfaces. Available for Mac, Windows, Linux, and BSD, Wget excels at batch processing and is a reliable downloader.
aria2
aria2 stands out as a multi-protocol and multi-source, cross-platform cURL alternative. This free and Open Source tool supports HTTP(S), FTP, BitTorrent, and Metalink, allowing you to download files from multiple sources simultaneously to maximize bandwidth. It's available on Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, and Xfce, offering features like a command-line interface, lightweight design, and support for remote control.
HTTPie
HTTPie (pronounced aitch-tee-tee-pie) offers a human-friendly command-line HTTP client experience, making it an excellent cURL alternative for testing, debugging, and interacting with web services. This free and Open Source tool provides a simple `http` command with natural syntax and colorized output. It's available for Mac, Windows, and Linux, focusing on command line interface and web testing features.
Transmit
Transmit is a commercial macOS-specific cURL alternative for file transfer, excelling in managing files across various servers with a powerful and familiar UI. It supports classic protocols like FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, and S3, and connects to 11 new cloud services. While not a direct command-line replacement for cURL's raw data transfer, its comprehensive file management and protocol support make it a valuable tool for Mac users.
lftp
lftp is a versatile free and Open Source command-line file transfer program that goes beyond FTP, supporting FTPS, HTTP, HTTPS, HFTP, FISH, and SFTP, along with a built-in BitTorrent client. As a cURL alternative, it offers advanced features like recursive mirroring, location bookmarks, and resuming downloads. It's available for Mac, Linux, and Xfce, making it a powerful choice for file sharing and transfer.
cliget
cliget is a unique free and Open Source cURL alternative that acts as a Firefox addon. It generates curl/wget commands that emulate browser requests, allowing you to download protected files directly to a separate machine (like a server). Available for Mac, Windows, Linux, and Firefox, it's a handy downloader for specific scenarios where browser emulation is key.
RESTClient
RESTClient is a free and Open Source cURL alternative with a friendly GUI, designed for testing HTTP communications and RESTful webservices. Available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, it offers a visual approach to making HTTP requests, which can be a more user-friendly experience for some compared to cURL's command-line interface.
DPLOY
DPLOY is a free and Open Source FTP/SFTP deployment tool built in Node.js, functioning as a specialized cURL alternative for managing file uploads. It compares local git repository versions with server versions to upload only the latest changes. Available for Mac, Windows, Linux, BSD, and Node.JS, it offers dedicated SFTP support for deployment workflows.
Truck - Rsync Client
Truck - Rsync Client is a commercial macOS-only cURL alternative that provides a graphical user interface for rsync, similar to an FTP client but leveraging the rsync protocol for faster transfers. It operates over an encrypted SSH tunnel and includes rsync 3.1.2. While not a direct command-line replacement, its focus on efficient file transfers via a GUI makes it a strong contender for Mac users needing to move data securely.
HttpMaster
HttpMaster is a freemium Windows-based cURL alternative designed for professional development and testing of web applications, with a strong emphasis on REST web services and web API applications. It offers a project-based approach to API calls, broad HTTP property settings, dynamic parameters, and response data validation, making it a comprehensive tool for API testing.
Whether you need a simple downloader, a powerful file transfer client, or a specialized API testing tool, the world of cURL alternatives offers a diverse range of options. Explore these tools to find the perfect fit for your platform, workflow, and specific data transfer needs.