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Software · head to head

Thunder Client vs Tyk

Thunder Client logo

Thunder Client

Software

Lightweight REST API client built as VSCode extension

From
Free
Rated
-
Tyk logo

Tyk

Software

Open-source API gateway and API management platform

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 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; Tyk no plan publishes a price, so every tier requires contacting sales
  • They diverge on capability: Thunder Client covers REST Client, Tyk covers API Gateway.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Thunder Client and Tyk differ
AttributeThunder ClientTyk
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsVSCode extension, WebLinux, Docker, Kubernetes, Cloud
Founded20212013

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 Thunder Client

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

Only in Tyk

  • API Gateway
  • Rate Limiting
  • Authentication
  • Kubernetes
  • Docker
  • AWS
  • Azure
  • Linux support

What people use each for

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

Thunder Client

  • API Developmentnot Tyk
  • API Gatewaynot Tyk
  • API Testingnot Tyk
  • API Documentationnot Tyk
  • Microservicesnot Tyk

Tyk

  • Running an open source API gateway self managed, hybrid or in the cloudnot Thunder Client
  • Governing APIs across regulated or multi region environmentsnot Thunder Client

Where each one falls short

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

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

Tyk

  • No plan publishes a price, so every tier requires contacting sales
  • Multi region and multi cloud deployment are Enterprise only
  • Custom support SLAs and a named customer success manager are Enterprise only

Pricing, plan by plan

Thunder Client

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

Tyk

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Core gateway
    • Community support
  • Cloud Pro$100/monthly
    • Managed cloud
    • Analytics
    • API portal
  • Cloud Enterprise$500/monthly
    • Advanced features
    • Dedicated support
    • Custom SLA

Which should you pick?

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.

Choose Tyk if

  • You need api gateway.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Cloud.
  • You also want rate limiting.

Questions people ask

Is Thunder Client or Tyk better?
Neither clearly leads. Thunder Client starts at Free and Tyk at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Thunder Client or Tyk?
Thunder Client starts at Free and Tyk at Free.
Does Thunder Client or Tyk run on more platforms?
Thunder Client runs on VSCode extension, Web. Tyk runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Cloud.
Can I use Thunder Client for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Thunder Client best used for?
Thunder Client is most often used for api development, api gateway, api testing, api documentation. Of those, api development and api gateway are not what Tyk is typically brought in for.
What can Thunder Client do that Tyk cannot?
Thunder Client covers REST Client, Environment variables, Response testing, VSCode. Tyk covers API Gateway, Rate Limiting, Authentication, Kubernetes.

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