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Technology · head to head

Sublime Text vs Thunder Client

Sublime Text logo

Sublime Text

Technology

A sophisticated text editor for code, markup and prose

From
$99/license
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Thunder Client logo

Thunder Client

APIs

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: Sublime Text personal license requires payment after evaluation period; 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: Sublime Text covers Lightning fast performance, Thunder Client covers REST Client.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Sublime Text and Thunder Client actually diverge.

Attributes where Sublime Text and Thunder Client differ
AttributeSublime TextThunder Client
Starting price$99/licenseFree
Pricing modelone-timefreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, Macos, LinuxVSCode extension, Web
CategoryTechnologyAPIs
Founded20072021

Identical on both: 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 Sublime Text

  • Lightning fast performance
  • Multiple selections
  • Command palette
  • Instant project switch
  • Plugin ecosystem
  • Customizable UI
  • Advanced search and replace
  • Split editing

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.

Sublime Text

  • Editing code and text files in a fast native desktop editornot Thunder Client
  • Working across large files and projects with multi cursor editingnot Thunder Client

Thunder Client

  • API Developmentnot Sublime Text
  • API Gatewaynot Sublime Text
  • API Testingnot Sublime Text
  • API Documentationnot Sublime Text
  • Microservicesnot Sublime Text

Where each one falls short

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

Sublime Text

  • Personal license requires payment after evaluation period
  • Business licenses use annual subscription model requiring renewal
  • After 3 years of updates on personal license, upgrade required for continued updates

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

Sublime Text

$99/license
  • Personal License$99/one-time
    • One license for all computers and operating systems
    • 3 years of updates
    • Free evaluation available
  • Business License - 1-10 seats$65/year
    • Per seat annual subscription
    • Volume discount for 11-25 seats at $60
    • Further discount for 26+ seats

Thunder Client

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Sublime Text if

  • You need lightning fast performance.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux.
  • You also want multiple selections.
Sublime Text 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 Sublime Text or Thunder Client better?
Neither clearly leads. Sublime Text starts at $99/license and Thunder Client at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Sublime Text or Thunder Client?
Thunder Client has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $99/license for Sublime Text and Free for Thunder Client.
Does Sublime Text or Thunder Client run on more platforms?
Sublime Text runs on Windows, Macos, Linux. 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. Sublime Text starts at $99/license.
What is Sublime Text best used for?
Sublime Text is most often used for editing code and text files in a fast native desktop editor, working across large files and projects with multi cursor editing. Of those, editing code and text files in a fast native desktop editor and working across large files and projects with multi cursor editing are not what Thunder Client is typically brought in for.
What can Sublime Text do that Thunder Client cannot?
Sublime Text covers Lightning fast performance, Multiple selections, Command palette, Instant project switch. Thunder Client covers REST Client, Environment variables, Response testing, VSCode.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Sublime Text: How much does Sublime Text cost?

Sublime Text costs $99 USD as a one-time personal license covering all your computers and operating systems, with 3 years of updates included.

Source
Thunder Client: How much does Thunder Client cost?

Thunder Client publishes a free plan at no cost, then Starter at $3, Business at $7 and Enterprise at $16, all priced annually.

Source
Sublime Text: What are the business license pricing tiers?

Business licenses use annual subscription pricing: $65 per seat per year for 1-10 seats, $60 per seat for 11-25 seats, $55 per seat for 26-50 seats, and $50 per seat for 51+ seats.

Source
Thunder Client: Is Thunder Client free?

Yes, there is a free plan. It is used through the Thunder Client extension for VS Code, available from the marketplace, with limits applied compared with the paid tiers.

Source
Sublime Text: Can I evaluate Sublime Text for free?

Yes, Sublime Text may be downloaded and evaluated for free, though payment is required to continue using it after evaluation.

Source
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