Thunder Client

What Thunder Client is

Thunder Client is a REST API client that runs inside VS Code and JetBrains IDEs. It provides a graphical way to build, test, and share API collections with a team, including response validation without writing scripts. Requests and API client data are stored locally on the user's machine, with no cloud sync. Teams can save collections to a Git repository for collaboration. The free plan is available for VS Code. Paid plans add WebSocket, SSE, and gRPC support, along with the Thunder Client CLI and CI/CD integration; CI/CD collection runs are unlimited. Local collection-run allowances vary by paid plan: Starter includes 250 per user monthly, Business 500, and Enterprise unlimited. Starter supports up to 10 seats. Enterprise also connects to Azure Key Vault and AWS Secrets Manager to retrieve secrets for request variables, and can store environment values in encrypted form. Free, Starter, and Business store those values in plain text. Annual pricing per user is $3 for Starter, $7 for Business, and $16 for Enterprise. A 14-day free trial can be requested using a business email address. The maker says the extension gathers basic anonymized telemetry, but no personal or request data, and telemetry can be turned off in VS Code settings. Thunder Client is a bootstrapped startup based in Dublin, Ireland, founded in 2021.

Who it suits

Thunder Client suits developers who want to manage API requests and validate responses from within VS Code or JetBrains IDEs. Its local storage and Git-based collection sharing also fit teams that keep API client data on their machines and collaborate through a repository.

Limits

The free plan is described as having version limits. Starter includes 250 local collection runs per user monthly and up to 10 seats; Business includes 500 local runs per user monthly. Free, Starter, and Business store environment values in plain text.

Getting started

1. Open https://www.thunderclient.com/.
2. Use the VS Code or JetBrains IDE extension.
3. Start with the free VS Code plan, choose a paid plan, or request a 14-day trial using a business email address.
4. Build an API collection and validate responses in the graphical interface.
5. Save collections to a Git repository if collaborating with a team.

Verdict

Choose Thunder Client if you want an API client inside your IDE, with local data storage and graphical response validation. Teams needing encrypted environment values or secret manager connections need Enterprise. Starter and Business have monthly local collection-run limits per user.