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Software · head to head

HTTPie vs Paw

HTTPie logo

HTTPie

Software

Command-line HTTP client with intuitive interface and syntax

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Paw logo

Paw

Software

Full-featured REST client for macOS with powerful scripting and testing

From
$99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only HTTPie has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: HTTPie the desktop application is in public beta rather than a finished release; Paw now distributed as RapidAPI for Mac; the vendor's own page states it is "exclusively built for macOS" and requires macOS 10.15+, with no Windows or Linux client
  • They diverge on capability: HTTPie covers JSON support, Paw covers Scripting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which HTTPie and Paw actually diverge.

Attributes where HTTPie and Paw differ
AttributeHTTPiePaw
Starting priceFree$99/one-time
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsLinux, MacOS, Windows, WebMacOS
Founded20122013

Identical on both: 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 HTTPie

  • JSON support
  • Colored output
  • CI/CD
  • Shell scripting
  • Automation
  • Linux support
  • Windows support
  • Web support

Only in Paw

  • Scripting
  • Dynamic Values
  • Slack
  • GitHub
  • Custom extensions

Both cover

  • REST Client
  • MacOS 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 Paw
  • A readable alternative to curl for API debuggingnot Paw
  • Testing APIs through a graphical clientnot Paw
  • Installing through apt, brew or pip in a development environmentnot Paw

Paw

  • 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

Paw

  • Now distributed as RapidAPI for Mac; the vendor's own page states it is "exclusively built for macOS" and requires macOS 10.15+, with no Windows or Linux client

Pricing, plan by plan

HTTPie

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

Paw

$99/one-time
  • Standard$99/one-time
    • Full REST client
    • Advanced scripting
    • Extensions
  • Annual License$49/yearly
    • All features
    • Updates
    • Priority support

Which should you pick?

Choose HTTPie if

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

Choose Paw if

  • You need scripting.
  • You work on MacOS.
  • You also want dynamic values.
Paw review

Questions people ask

Is HTTPie or Paw better?
Neither clearly leads. HTTPie starts at Free and Paw at $99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HTTPie or Paw?
HTTPie has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for HTTPie and $99/one-time for Paw.
Does HTTPie or Paw run on more platforms?
HTTPie runs on Linux, MacOS, Windows, Web. Paw runs on MacOS.
Can I use HTTPie for free?
Yes. HTTPie has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Paw starts at $99/one-time.
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 Paw is typically brought in for.
What can HTTPie do that Paw cannot?
HTTPie covers JSON support, Colored output, CI/CD, Shell scripting. Paw covers Scripting, Dynamic Values, Slack, GitHub. Both handle REST Client, MacOS support.
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