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Software · head to head

LiteLLM vs Thunder Client

L

LiteLLM

Software

The AI Gateway for platform teams

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Thunder Client logo

Thunder Client

Software

Lightweight REST API client built as VSCode extension

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Thunder Client has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: LiteLLM sSO, RBAC, JWT authentication, and audit logs are all reserved for the Enterprise tier, which is not self-serve and requires a custom quote on top of the free open source core, as of August 2026.; 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

Where they differ

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

Attributes where LiteLLM and Thunder Client differ
AttributeLiteLLMThunder Client
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquotefreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebVSCode extension, Web
FoundedUnknown2021

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 LiteLLM

Nothing recorded that Thunder Client does not also cover.

Only in Thunder Client

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

What people use each for

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

LiteLLM

No use cases recorded yet. See the LiteLLM review.

Thunder Client

  • API Developmentnot LiteLLM
  • API Gatewaynot LiteLLM
  • API Testingnot LiteLLM
  • API Documentationnot LiteLLM
  • Microservicesnot LiteLLM

Where each one falls short

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

LiteLLM

  • SSO, RBAC, JWT authentication, and audit logs are all reserved for the Enterprise tier, which is not self-serve and requires a custom quote on top of the free open source core, as of August 2026.

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

LiteLLM

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the LiteLLM review.

Thunder Client

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

Which should you pick?

Choose LiteLLM if

Nothing in the data separates LiteLLM from Thunder Client on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

LiteLLM 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 LiteLLM or Thunder Client better?
Neither clearly leads. LiteLLM starts at On request and Thunder Client at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, LiteLLM or Thunder Client?
Thunder Client has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for LiteLLM and Free for Thunder Client.
Does LiteLLM or Thunder Client run on more platforms?
LiteLLM runs on Web. Thunder Client runs on VSCode extension, Web.
Can I use Thunder Client for free?
Yes. Thunder Client has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. LiteLLM starts at On request.
What can LiteLLM do that Thunder Client cannot?
Thunder Client covers REST Client, Environment variables, Response testing, VSCode.
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Related pages

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