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Software · head to head

Swagger/OpenAPI vs Thunder Client

S

Swagger/OpenAPI

Software

API specification and documentation framework using OpenAPI standard

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: Swagger/OpenAPI the OpenAPI Specification itself is licensed under Apache License 2.0 and free to use; SwaggerHub is a separate paid tool built on top of it; 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: Swagger/OpenAPI covers OpenAPI Specification, Thunder Client covers REST Client.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Swagger/OpenAPI and Thunder Client actually diverge.

Attributes where Swagger/OpenAPI and Thunder Client differ
AttributeSwagger/OpenAPIThunder Client
PlatformsWeb, CLI, DesktopVSCode extension, Web
Founded20012021

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), 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 Swagger/OpenAPI

  • OpenAPI Specification
  • Interactive Documentation
  • Code Generation
  • GitLab
  • Jenkins
  • IDE plugins
  • CLI support
  • Desktop 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.

Swagger/OpenAPI

  • API Development
  • API Gateway
  • API Testing
  • API Documentation
  • Microservices

Thunder Client

  • API Development
  • API Gateway
  • API Testing
  • API Documentation
  • Microservices

Both are used for api development, api gateway, api testing, api documentation, microservices, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

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

Swagger/OpenAPI

  • The OpenAPI Specification itself is licensed under Apache License 2.0 and free to use; SwaggerHub is a separate paid tool built on top of it

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

Swagger/OpenAPI

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • OpenAPI specification
    • Community tools
  • SwaggerHub FreeFree
    • Cloud editor
    • API mocking
    • API testing
  • SwaggerHub Pro$75/monthly
    • Team collaboration
    • Advanced mocking
    • Analytics

Thunder Client

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Swagger/OpenAPI if

  • You need openapi specification.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, CLI, Desktop.
  • You also want interactive documentation.
Swagger/OpenAPI 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 Swagger/OpenAPI or Thunder Client better?
Neither clearly leads. Swagger/OpenAPI 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, Swagger/OpenAPI or Thunder Client?
Swagger/OpenAPI starts at Free and Thunder Client at Free.
Does Swagger/OpenAPI or Thunder Client run on more platforms?
Swagger/OpenAPI runs on Web, CLI, Desktop. Thunder Client runs on VSCode extension, Web.
Can I use Swagger/OpenAPI for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Swagger/OpenAPI best used for?
Swagger/OpenAPI is most often used for api development, api gateway, api testing, api documentation.
What can Swagger/OpenAPI do that Thunder Client cannot?
Swagger/OpenAPI covers OpenAPI Specification, Interactive Documentation, Code Generation, GitLab. Thunder Client covers REST Client, Environment variables, Response testing, VSCode. Both handle GitHub, Web support.
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Related pages

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