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Software · head to head

Postman vs Thunder Client

Postman logo

Postman

Software

The API platform for building and using APIs

From
Free
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

  • Each has a real cost: Postman free plan limited to single user as of March 1, 2026, making it unsuitable for teams without paid plans; 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: Postman covers API client, Thunder Client covers REST Client.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Postman and Thunder Client differ
AttributePostmanThunder Client
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsWeb, Windows, macOS, LinuxVSCode extension, Web
Founded20142021

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Postman

  • API client
  • Automated testing
  • Mock servers
  • Documentation
  • Monitors
  • Workspaces
  • Version control
  • API design

Only in Thunder Client

  • REST Client
  • Response testing
  • VSCode
  • Webhook support
  • VSCode extension support
  • Web support

Both cover

  • GitHub
  • Environment variables

What people use each for

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

Postman

  • API testingnot Thunder Client
  • API documentationnot Thunder Client
  • API monitoringnot Thunder Client
  • Team collaborationnot Thunder Client
  • API developmentnot Thunder Client

Thunder Client

  • API Developmentnot Postman
  • API Gatewaynot Postman
  • API Testingnot Postman
  • API Documentationnot Postman
  • Microservicesnot Postman

Where each one falls short

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

Postman

  • Free plan limited to single user as of March 1, 2026, making it unsuitable for teams without paid plans
  • Only 25 collection runs per month and 1,000 API calls/month on free tier
  • Removed local-only Scratch Pad mode in 2023, forcing cloud account creation and sync
  • Requires Postman account and internet connection for most features
  • Cloud-first architecture with mandatory syncing to Postman's cloud servers
  • No CI/CD integration or advanced security features on free plan

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

Postman

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1 user
    • 25 collection runs/month
    • 1,000 API calls/month
  • Team$14/month
    • Team collaboration
    • Shared workspaces
    • API mocking
  • Professional$29/month
    • Team features
    • Advanced security
    • SSO
  • Enterprise$49/month
    • Professional features
    • Custom integrations
    • 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 Postman if

  • You need api client.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want automated testing.
Postman review

Choose Thunder Client if

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

Questions people ask

Is Postman or Thunder Client better?
Neither clearly leads. Postman 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, Postman or Thunder Client?
Postman starts at Free and Thunder Client at Free.
Does Postman or Thunder Client run on more platforms?
Postman runs on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux. Thunder Client runs on VSCode extension, Web.
Can I use Postman for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Postman best used for?
Postman is most often used for api testing, api documentation, api monitoring, team collaboration. Of those, api testing and api documentation are not what Thunder Client is typically brought in for.
What can Postman do that Thunder Client cannot?
Postman covers API client, Automated testing, Mock servers, Documentation. Thunder Client covers REST Client, Response testing, VSCode, Webhook support. Both handle GitHub, Environment variables.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Postman: What is the cost of Postman?

Postman has a free plan limited to 1 user, 25 collection runs/month, 1,000 API calls/month. Team plans start at $14/user/month for Basic. Professional at $29/user/month, and Enterprise at $49/user/month.

Source
Postman: Can I use Postman offline?

Postman requires an internet connection to sync collections to the cloud. Since 2023, the Scratch Pad local-only mode was removed. Users must sign in with a Postman account, and collections sync to cloud by default. Offline work is possible but limited without cloud sync features.

Source
Postman: Does Postman have team collaboration?

Team collaboration is not available on the free plan (limited to 1 user). Team plans start at $14/user/month and include shared workspaces, real-time collaboration, and team management features.

Source
Postman: What are the free plan limits?

Free plan allows: 1 user only, 25 collection runs per month, 1,000 API calls/month, and 1,000 mock server calls/month. No CI/CD integration or advanced security features.

Source
Postman: Does Postman work with other development tools?

Postman integrates with Git repositories, offers a Node.js runner (Newman) for automation, and connects with popular CI/CD platforms. Teams using git-native workflows may prefer alternatives like Bruno.

Source
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