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Bruno vs HTTPie

Bruno logo

Bruno

Software

Open-source IDE for API exploration with git-friendly collections

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
HTTPie logo

HTTPie

Software

Command-line HTTP client with intuitive interface and syntax

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Bruno native Git integration, the feature that distinguishes it from cloud API clients, is Pro only at $6 per user per month; HTTPie the desktop application is in public beta rather than a finished release
  • They diverge on capability: Bruno covers API Testing, HTTPie covers REST Client.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bruno and HTTPie actually diverge.

Attributes where Bruno and HTTPie differ
AttributeBrunoHTTPie
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxLinux, MacOS, Windows, Web
Founded20222012

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (open-source), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Bruno

  • API Testing
  • Environment management
  • Git-friendly storage
  • GitHub
  • Git repositories
  • Local file system

Only in HTTPie

  • REST Client
  • JSON support
  • Colored output
  • CI/CD
  • Shell scripting
  • Automation
  • Web support

Both cover

  • Windows support
  • MacOS support
  • Linux support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Bruno

  • Sending and testing HTTP requests from a local clientnot HTTPie
  • Keeping API collections in Git rather than a vendor cloudnot HTTPie
  • Offline API development without an accountnot HTTPie
  • Importing and syncing OpenAPI specificationsnot HTTPie

HTTPie

  • Sending and inspecting HTTP requests from the terminalnot Bruno
  • A readable alternative to curl for API debuggingnot Bruno
  • Testing APIs through a graphical clientnot Bruno
  • Installing through apt, brew or pip in a development environmentnot Bruno

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Bruno

  • Native Git integration, the feature that distinguishes it from cloud API clients, is Pro only at $6 per user per month
  • OpenAPI syncs are capped at 5 a month on the free tier
  • SSO, SCIM and user management require Ultimate at $11 per user per month
  • Private workspaces are a paid feature
  • Advertised prices are annual rates

HTTPie

  • The desktop application is in public beta rather than a finished release
  • Pricing for the desktop and web products is not published, while the terminal client is free and open source
  • The graphical versions are newer than the CLI, so parity between them is not guaranteed

Pricing, plan by plan

Bruno

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full IDE features
    • Git integration
    • Local storage

HTTPie

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full HTTPie CLI
    • Community support
  • HTTPie for Web$10/monthly
    • Web interface
    • Cloud storage
    • Team collaboration

Which should you pick?

Choose Bruno if

  • You need api testing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want environment management.
Bruno review

Choose HTTPie if

  • You need rest client.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, MacOS, Windows, Web.
  • You also want json support.
HTTPie review

Questions people ask

Is Bruno or HTTPie better?
Neither clearly leads. Bruno starts at Free and HTTPie at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bruno or HTTPie?
Bruno starts at Free and HTTPie at Free.
Does Bruno or HTTPie run on more platforms?
Bruno runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. HTTPie runs on Linux, MacOS, Windows, Web.
Can I use Bruno for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Bruno best used for?
Bruno is most often used for sending and testing http requests from a local client, keeping api collections in git rather than a vendor cloud, offline api development without an account, importing and syncing openapi specifications. Of those, sending and testing http requests from a local client and keeping api collections in git rather than a vendor cloud are not what HTTPie is typically brought in for.
What can Bruno do that HTTPie cannot?
Bruno covers API Testing, Environment management, Git-friendly storage, GitHub. HTTPie covers REST Client, JSON support, Colored output, CI/CD. Both handle Windows support, MacOS support, Linux support.
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