Side by side
curl vs HTTPie
Both stand on command line tools. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+2
curl provides broad protocol coverage and detailed transfer controls across major operating systems. Its command-line tool and libcurl library support both direct scripting and embedded software use.
Visit curl Free plan Open source LinuxMacWeb+1
HTTPie offers command-line API testing alongside a graphical app for desktop and web. The CLI plan is open-source, while the Desktop and Web plan is in public beta; both are listed as free.
Visit HTTPieThe facts
| curl | HTTPie | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Yes |
| Runs on | Android, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Windows | Linux, Mac, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | HTTPie for Web: $10 a month |
| Plans published | 1 | 4 |
| Maker | curl | Not published |
| Website | curl.se | httpie.io |
| On command line tools | #4 of 27 | #1 of 27 |
curl: what it does well
- Free and open-source software
- Supports many transfer protocols
- Offers HTTP/2 and HTTP/3
- Provides extensive TLS features
- Includes libcurl for embedded use
What to know first
- Mainly provides source packages
- Other packages come from external providers
- No free trial is listed
- Commercial support is separate
HTTPie: what it does well
- Supports GraphQL and a broad set of CLI request options.
- Desktop and Web app works offline without an account.
- Desktop app available for Mac, Windows, and Linux.
- CLI installation options cover any operating system.
What to know first
- Desktop and Web app is in public beta.
- Security measures are not guaranteed to prevent every unauthorized breach.