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curl vs Bruno

curl logo

curl

Software

Command-line tool for transferring data using URLs with wide protocol support

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Bruno logo

Bruno

Software

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: curl free and open source under an MIT/X derivate license, with no commercial pricing tier; funded only by voluntary sponsorship; Bruno native Git integration, the feature that distinguishes it from cloud API clients, is Pro only at $6 per user per month
  • They diverge on capability: curl covers HTTP/HTTPS, Bruno covers API Testing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which curl and Bruno actually diverge.

Attributes where curl and Bruno differ
AttributecurlBruno
PlatformsLinux, MacOS, Windows, Unix, MobileWindows, MacOS, Linux
Founded19972022

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 curl

  • HTTP/HTTPS
  • FTP
  • Multiple protocols
  • Universal compatibility
  • Scripting tools
  • Unix support
  • Mobile support

Only in Bruno

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

Both cover

  • Linux support
  • MacOS support
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

curl

  • API Developmentnot Bruno
  • API Gatewaynot Bruno
  • API Testingnot Bruno
  • API Documentationnot Bruno
  • Microservicesnot Bruno

Bruno

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

Where each one falls short

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

curl

  • Free and open source under an MIT/X derivate license, with no commercial pricing tier; funded only by voluntary sponsorship

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

Pricing, plan by plan

curl

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full curl functionality
    • Community support

Bruno

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

Which should you pick?

Choose curl if

  • You need http/https.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, MacOS, Windows, Unix, Mobile.
  • You also want ftp.
curl review

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

Questions people ask

Is curl or Bruno better?
Neither clearly leads. curl starts at Free and Bruno at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, curl or Bruno?
curl starts at Free and Bruno at Free.
Does curl or Bruno run on more platforms?
curl runs on Linux, MacOS, Windows, Unix, Mobile. Bruno runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
Can I use curl for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is curl best used for?
curl is most often used for api development, api gateway, api testing, api documentation. Of those, api development and api gateway are not what Bruno is typically brought in for.
What can curl do that Bruno cannot?
curl covers HTTP/HTTPS, FTP, Multiple protocols, Universal compatibility. Bruno covers API Testing, Environment management, Git-friendly storage, GitHub. Both handle Linux support, MacOS support, Windows support.
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