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Testing & QA · head to head

Insomnia vs Thunder Client

Insomnia logo

Insomnia

Testing & QA

REST and GraphQL API client for development and testing

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Thunder Client logo

Thunder Client

API Management

Lightweight REST API client built as VSCode extension

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Insomnia git Sync on the free tier covers up to 3 users only; 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: Insomnia covers REST API Client, Thunder Client covers REST Client.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Insomnia and Thunder Client differ
AttributeInsomniaThunder Client
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, Linux, WebVSCode extension, Web
CategoryTesting & QAAPI Management
Founded20102021

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

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 Insomnia

  • REST API Client
  • GraphQL Support
  • gRPC Support
  • GitLab
  • Slack
  • Windows support
  • MacOS support
  • Linux support

Only in Thunder Client

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

Both cover

  • GitHub
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Insomnia

  • Sending and debugging HTTP, GraphQL and gRPC requestsnot Thunder Client
  • Storing collections in Git rather than a vendor cloudnot Thunder Client
  • Mocking an API endpoint before it existsnot Thunder Client
  • Running collections in CI with the Inso CLInot Thunder Client
  • Environment management across staging and productionnot Thunder Client

Thunder Client

  • API Developmentnot Insomnia
  • API Gatewaynot Insomnia
  • API Testingnot Insomnia
  • API Documentationnot Insomnia
  • Microservicesnot Insomnia

Where each one falls short

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

Insomnia

  • Git Sync on the free tier covers up to 3 users only
  • Mock servers are capped at 1,000 requests a month on free, then $10 per 25,000
  • Role-based access control requires Pro at $12 per user per month
  • SSO, SCIM and vault integrations are Enterprise only at $45 per user per month
  • Working without an account is limited to the local-only Scratch Pad

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

Insomnia

Free
  • FreeFree
    • REST, GraphQL, gRPC support
    • Local data
  • Pro$5/monthly
    • Cloud sync
    • Team collaboration
    • Advanced features
  • Team$30/monthly
    • Team management
    • Advanced analytics
    • 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 Insomnia if

  • You need rest api client.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux, Web.
  • You also want graphql support.
Insomnia review

Choose Thunder Client if

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

Questions people ask

Is Insomnia or Thunder Client better?
Neither clearly leads. Insomnia 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, Insomnia or Thunder Client?
Insomnia starts at Free and Thunder Client at Free.
Does Insomnia or Thunder Client run on more platforms?
Insomnia runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux, Web. Thunder Client runs on VSCode extension, Web.
Can I use Insomnia for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Insomnia best used for?
Insomnia is most often used for sending and debugging http, graphql and grpc requests, storing collections in git rather than a vendor cloud, mocking an api endpoint before it exists, running collections in ci with the inso cli. Of those, sending and debugging http, graphql and grpc requests and storing collections in git rather than a vendor cloud are not what Thunder Client is typically brought in for.
What can Insomnia do that Thunder Client cannot?
Insomnia covers REST API Client, GraphQL Support, gRPC Support, GitLab. Thunder Client covers REST Client, Environment variables, Response testing, VSCode. Both handle GitHub, Web support.
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