Instead of gRPC CLI
gRPC CLI alternatives
gRPC CLI gives command-line users a way to inspect gRPC services and call remote methods. It can discover service and method names through server reflection, or use local proto files when reflection is unavailable. Its core functions include unary RPC calls, common server authentication, metadata attachment and display, and protobuf messages in text or wire form. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows and is free, but requires building from the gRPC repository with CMake and the grpc_cli target.
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grpcui
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2Browser-based gRPC calls, including streaming methods — grpcui adds a browser UI and all RPC method types, while gRPC CLI centers on unary calls and command-line use.
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protoc-gen-doc
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1Generating documentation from protobuf comments — protoc-gen-doc generates HTML, JSON, DocBook, or Markdown from .proto comments instead of calling gRPC methods.
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ProtoCall
Free plan LinuxMacWeb+1Browser-based proto workspaces with GitHub imports — ProtoCall offers a no-install web app, proto workspaces, and GitHub imports rather than gRPC CLI's RPC-calling workflow.
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sabledocs
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsStatic documentation sites for Protobuf and gRPC — Sabledocs creates searchable static HTML documentation for Protobuf and gRPC contracts instead of making RPC calls.
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Bandura
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1Local API workflows runnable in terminals and CI — Bandura chains HTTP requests in editable YAML workflows and runs them locally through its desktop app or CLI, rather than focusing on gRPC calls.
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Evans
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsInteractive gRPC inspection and streaming — Evans adds an interactive REPL, JSON-output CLI, and client, server, and bidirectional streaming RPCs.
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FintX
Free plan LinuxMacWindows - 9
ghz
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted - 10
BloomRPC Extended
Free plan LinuxMacWindows - 11
GripMock
Free plan APILinuxMac+3 - 12
grpcmd
Free plan LinuxMacWindows - 13
gRPC Swagger
Free plan APISelf-hostedWeb - 14
grpcurl
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1 - 15
Chiko
Free plan - 16
Granc
Free plan Linux - 17
grpcmock-go
Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted - 18
Mediator
Free plan LinuxMacWindows - 19
gRPC Studio
Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedWeb - 20
WireMan
Free plan Linux - 21
grpc-wiremock
Free plan Self-hosted - 22
grpc-docs
Paid LinuxWeb - 23
grpcmock
Paid Self-hosted
Its documentation describes the tool as not yet up to par in user-friendliness, and streaming RPCs are a desired capability rather than part of its current core functionality. Alternatives may suit readers who prefer a browser or desktop workflow, need streaming calls, work across more API protocols, or want generated documentation rather than a client for making calls. Compare how each handles schemas, setup, and interaction, and consider whether its specific strengths matter more than gRPC CLI’s direct command-line calls, reflection support, and local proto-file option.