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APIs · head to head

Hoppscotch vs Thunder Client

Hoppscotch logo

Hoppscotch

APIs

Open-source API development ecosystem with web-based REST client

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Thunder Client logo

Thunder Client

APIs

Lightweight REST API client built as VSCode extension

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Hoppscotch open-source project with no published commercial support plans or pricing; Thunder Client paid plans are billed annually only: Starter is $3 per user per month and capped at a maximum of 10 seats, Business is $7 per user per month with 500 monthly collection runs per user, and Enterprise is $16 per user per month for unlimited runs
  • They diverge on capability: Hoppscotch covers WebSocket, Thunder Client covers Environment variables.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hoppscotch and Thunder Client actually diverge.

Attributes where Hoppscotch and Thunder Client differ
AttributeHoppscotchThunder Client
PlatformsWeb, Desktop, Self-hostedVSCode extension, Web
Founded20192021

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (APIs).

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 Hoppscotch

  • WebSocket
  • gRPC Client
  • Documentation tools
  • CI/CD
  • Desktop support
  • Self-hosted support

Only in Thunder Client

  • Environment variables
  • Response testing
  • VSCode
  • Webhook support
  • VSCode extension support

Both cover

  • REST Client
  • GitHub
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Hoppscotch

  • API Development
  • API Gateway
  • API Testing
  • API Documentation
  • Microservices

Thunder Client

  • API Development
  • API Gateway
  • API Testing
  • API Documentation
  • Microservices

Both are used for api development, api gateway, api testing, api documentation, microservices, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

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

Hoppscotch

  • Open-source project with no published commercial support plans or pricing
  • No official enterprise tier or SLA information disclosed

Thunder Client

  • Paid plans are billed annually only: Starter is $3 per user per month and capped at a maximum of 10 seats, Business is $7 per user per month with 500 monthly collection runs per user, and Enterprise is $16 per user per month for unlimited runs

Pricing, plan by plan

Hoppscotch

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full REST client
    • WebSocket support
    • Community
  • Teams$8/monthly
    • Team collaboration
    • Cloud sync
    • Priority support

Thunder Client

Free
  • FreeFree
    • REST client
    • Collection management
    • Local testing
  • Pro$8/monthly
    • Cloud sync
    • Team collaboration
    • Advanced features

Which should you pick?

Choose Hoppscotch if

  • You need websocket.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Self-hosted.
  • You also want grpc client.
Hoppscotch review

Choose Thunder Client if

  • You need environment variables.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on VSCode extension, Web.
  • You also want response testing.
Thunder Client review

Questions people ask

Is Hoppscotch or Thunder Client better?
Neither clearly leads. Hoppscotch starts at Free and Thunder Client at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Hoppscotch or Thunder Client?
Hoppscotch starts at Free and Thunder Client at Free.
Does Hoppscotch or Thunder Client run on more platforms?
Hoppscotch runs on Web, Desktop, Self-hosted. Thunder Client runs on VSCode extension, Web.
Can I use Hoppscotch for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Hoppscotch best used for?
Hoppscotch is most often used for api development, api gateway, api testing, api documentation.
What can Hoppscotch do that Thunder Client cannot?
Hoppscotch covers WebSocket, gRPC Client, Documentation tools, CI/CD. Thunder Client covers Environment variables, Response testing, VSCode, Webhook support. Both handle REST Client, GitHub, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Hoppscotch: Is Hoppscotch free to use for API development?

Yes, Hoppscotch is a completely free, open-source API development ecosystem. There are no subscription fees, license costs, or registration requirements to access the core platform.

Source
Thunder Client: How much does Thunder Client cost?

Thunder Client publishes a free plan at no cost, then Starter at $3, Business at $7 and Enterprise at $16, all priced annually.

Source
Hoppscotch: Can I deploy Hoppscotch on my own infrastructure?

As an open-source project, Hoppscotch can be self-hosted and deployed on your own infrastructure. The source code is available for customization and deployment in private environments.

Source
Thunder Client: Is Thunder Client free?

Yes, there is a free plan. It is used through the Thunder Client extension for VS Code, available from the marketplace, with limits applied compared with the paid tiers.

Source
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