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curl vs HTTPie

curl logo

curl

Software

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

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: curl free and open source under an MIT/X derivate license, with no commercial pricing tier; funded only by voluntary sponsorship; HTTPie the desktop application is in public beta rather than a finished release
  • They diverge on capability: curl covers HTTP/HTTPS, HTTPie covers REST Client.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which curl and HTTPie actually diverge.

Attributes where curl and HTTPie differ
AttributecurlHTTPie
PlatformsLinux, MacOS, Windows, Unix, MobileLinux, MacOS, Windows, Web
Founded19972012

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 HTTPie

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

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 HTTPie
  • API Gatewaynot HTTPie
  • API Testingnot HTTPie
  • API Documentationnot HTTPie
  • Microservicesnot HTTPie

HTTPie

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

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

curl

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full curl functionality
    • Community support

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 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 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 curl or HTTPie better?
Neither clearly leads. curl 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, curl or HTTPie?
curl starts at Free and HTTPie at Free.
Does curl or HTTPie run on more platforms?
curl runs on Linux, MacOS, Windows, Unix, Mobile. HTTPie runs on Linux, MacOS, Windows, Web.
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 HTTPie is typically brought in for.
What can curl do that HTTPie cannot?
curl covers HTTP/HTTPS, FTP, Multiple protocols, Universal compatibility. HTTPie covers REST Client, JSON support, Colored output, CI/CD. Both handle Linux support, MacOS support, Windows support.
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