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API Management · head to head

HTTPie vs GraphQL Playground

HTTPie logo

HTTPie

API Management

Command-line HTTP client with intuitive interface and syntax

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
GraphQL Playground logo

GraphQL Playground

API Management

GraphQL IDE and documentation tool for building GraphQL APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: HTTPie the desktop application is in public beta rather than a finished release; GraphQL Playground apollo's own documentation states GraphQL Playground is officially retired and no longer recommended, directing users to Apollo Sandbox instead
  • They diverge on capability: HTTPie covers REST Client, GraphQL Playground covers Query building.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which HTTPie and GraphQL Playground actually diverge.

Attributes where HTTPie and GraphQL Playground differ
AttributeHTTPieGraphQL Playground
PlatformsLinux, MacOS, Windows, WebWeb, Electron, Self-hosted
Founded20122018

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

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 HTTPie

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

Only in GraphQL Playground

  • Query building
  • Schema introspection
  • Real-time testing
  • GraphQL servers
  • Apollo Studio
  • Custom servers
  • Electron support
  • Self-hosted support

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

HTTPie

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

GraphQL Playground

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

Where each one falls short

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

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

GraphQL Playground

  • Apollo's own documentation states GraphQL Playground is officially retired and no longer recommended, directing users to Apollo Sandbox instead

Pricing, plan by plan

HTTPie

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

GraphQL Playground

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full GraphQL IDE
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

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

Choose GraphQL Playground if

  • You need query building.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Electron, Self-hosted.
  • You also want schema introspection.
GraphQL Playground review

Questions people ask

Is HTTPie or GraphQL Playground better?
Neither clearly leads. HTTPie starts at Free and GraphQL Playground at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HTTPie or GraphQL Playground?
HTTPie starts at Free and GraphQL Playground at Free.
Does HTTPie or GraphQL Playground run on more platforms?
HTTPie runs on Linux, MacOS, Windows, Web. GraphQL Playground runs on Web, Electron, Self-hosted.
Can I use HTTPie for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is HTTPie best used for?
HTTPie is most often used for sending and inspecting http requests from the terminal, a readable alternative to curl for api debugging, testing apis through a graphical client, installing through apt, brew or pip in a development environment. Of those, sending and inspecting http requests from the terminal and a readable alternative to curl for api debugging are not what GraphQL Playground is typically brought in for.
What can HTTPie do that GraphQL Playground cannot?
HTTPie covers REST Client, JSON support, Colored output, CI/CD. GraphQL Playground covers Query building, Schema introspection, Real-time testing, GraphQL servers. Both handle Web support.
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