Side by side
Chiko vs grpcmd
Both stand on grpc tools. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan
Choose Chiko if you want a free terminal interface for gRPC requests and your server supports reflection. Look elsewhere if your workflow depends on OAuth, API keys, or proto file import, which are listed as work in progress.
Visit Chiko Free plan LinuxMacWindows
grpcmd provides command-line service discovery and calling, with alternatives when reflection is unavailable. The related script and GUI add different workflows, but are separate offerings.
Visit grpcmdThe facts
| Chiko | grpcmd | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Not published | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | grpcmd-script: $9 a year |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | github.com | grpc.md |
| On grpc tools | #12 of 24 | #8 of 24 |
Chiko: what it does well
- Free and open source under the MIT License.
- Discovers and browses endpoints when servers support reflection.
- Generates formatted request templates and supports custom metadata.
- Saves requests as bookmarks for replay.
- Supports importing and exporting grpcurl commands.
What to know first
- Endpoint discovery depends on server reflection being supported.
- OAuth and API key authentication are listed as in progress.
- Importing proto files is listed as in progress.
grpcmd: what it does well
- Free command-line tool
- Available for macOS, Linux, and Windows
- Supports reflection and supplied .proto files
- Streaming calls show headers and trailers
- Shell completion covers four shells
What to know first
- grpcmd-script costs $9 a year
- GUI is a separate related application