The Best RESTClient Alternatives for API Testing and Development
RESTClient is a popular tool known for its user-friendly GUI and rich functionalities, enabling users to test various HTTP communications and RESTful webservices. However, like any software, it might not be the perfect fit for everyone. Developers and testers often seek different features, platforms, or pricing models. If you're looking for a powerful RESTClient alternative to enhance your API workflow, you've come to the right place.
Top RESTClient Alternatives
Whether you need a command-line utility, a feature-rich GUI, or a cloud-based solution, the following tools offer robust functionalities to meet your API testing and development needs, often surpassing RESTClient in specific areas.
Wget
Wget is a free, open-source command-line tool available for Mac, Windows, Linux, and BSD. It excels at retrieving files using HTTP(S) and FTP protocols. As a non-interactive tool, it's a great RESTClient alternative for automated scripting, batch processing, and simple command-line data retrieval, offering a lightweight alternative to GUI-heavy clients.
Postman
Postman is a leading Freemium tool for API development and testing, available across Mac, Windows, Linux, Web, and Chrome OS. It provides comprehensive functionality for creating, simulating, and using API specifications, making it a powerful RESTClient alternative with features like API Management, CI/CD integration, graphical interface, and support for both REST and SOAP APIs.
cURL
cURL is a free, open-source client-side URL library and command-line tool for transferring data with various network protocols. Compatible with Mac, Windows, Linux, and BSD, cURL is an excellent RESTClient alternative for those who prefer a minimalist command-line interface for data transfer and file handling, offering robust scripting capabilities.
Insomnia REST Client
Insomnia REST Client is a powerful Freemium and open-source tool for Mac, Windows, and Linux. It stands out as a strong RESTClient alternative with features like cookie management, environment variables, code generation, authentication, GraphQL integration, and cloud sync, making it ideal for complex API workflows.
Paw
Paw is a commercial tool exclusively for Mac users, designed for easily crafting, testing, and archiving HTTP requests. It's a premium RESTClient alternative offering advanced developer tools, HTML parsing, and request chaining, providing a polished and intuitive experience for macOS developers.
soapUI
soapUI is a free, open-source tool available for Mac, Windows, and Linux, primarily focused on functional testing of web services, including SOAP-based and RESTful web services. Its intuitive nodes make it a robust RESTClient alternative, especially for comprehensive web service testing and enterprise-level API development.
Advanced REST Client (ARC)
Advanced REST Client (ARC) is a free, open-source API testing tool available on Mac, Windows, Linux, Chrome OS, and as a Chrome extension. It's an excellent RESTClient alternative for web developers, offering full headers control, an intuitive web tool, and being Electron-based, making it highly versatile for custom HTTP request testing.
Postwoman
Postwoman is a free, open-source, web-based, and self-hosted API request builder. It serves as a fantastic RESTClient alternative for those seeking an ad-free, cross-browser, and cross-platform solution with features like WebSocket streams, GraphQL API support, and REST API development tools, designed to speed up request creation.
RESTer
RESTer is a free, open-source REST client available as a Firefox and Chrome extension, making it accessible on Mac, Windows, and Linux. It's a convenient RESTClient alternative for API and API Management, offering Google Chrome and Firefox Extensions, project organization, and variable support directly within your browser.
Runscope
Runscope is a Freemium, web-based tool for Mac, Windows, and Linux that helps monitor, log, and measure API usage. It's a strong RESTClient alternative for those focused on API monitoring without coding, providing complete logging and debugging features for backend API problems, making it invaluable for production environments.
Exploring these RESTClient alternatives can significantly enhance your API development and testing workflow. Each tool offers a unique set of features, platform support, and pricing models. We encourage you to try out a few that align with your specific requirements to find the best fit for your needs.