Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

cURL VS GNU Wget

Compare cURL VS GNU Wget and see what are their differences

This page does not exist

cURL logo cURL

cURL is a computer software project providing a library and command-line tool for transferring data...

GNU Wget logo GNU Wget

GNU Wget is a free software package for retrieving files using HTTP(S) and FTP, the most...
  • cURL Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-12-13
  • GNU Wget Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-26

cURL features and specs

  • Versatility
    cURL supports a wide range of protocols including HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and many more, making it a highly versatile tool for developers.
  • Cross-Platform
    cURL can be used on various operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing consistency across different environments.
  • Command-Line Usage
    It can be easily used from the command line, enabling quick and powerful interactions with web services without the need for a graphical interface.
  • Automation
    cURL can be incorporated into scripts for automation, making it essential for repetitive tasks such as automated testing or continuous integration.
  • Support for Multiple Data Formats
    It can work with multiple data formats such as JSON, XML, and form-urlencoded, making it flexible for interacting with various APIs.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source tool, cURL is free to use and has a large community that contributes to its continuous improvement and support.

Possible disadvantages of cURL

  • Steep Learning Curve
    For beginners, the variety of options and parameters available can be overwhelming, requiring time and effort to become proficient.
  • Limited Error Messages
    cURL sometimes provides minimal error messages, which can make debugging issues more complicated, especially for new users.
  • Security Concerns
    Improper handling of SSL certificates or sensitive data could lead to security vulnerabilities, requiring users to be cautious and knowledgeable.
  • Not User-Friendly
    As a command-line tool, it lacks a graphical user interface, which can make it less accessible for users who are not comfortable with terminal commands.
  • Manual Configuration
    Requires manual configuration for advanced options, which can be time-consuming and cumbersome for complex tasks.

GNU Wget features and specs

  • Free and Open Source
    GNU Wget is free to use and its source code is open, allowing users to modify and improve it as needed.
  • Non-Interactive Download
    Wget is a non-interactive command-line tool, meaning it can be used in scripts and scheduled tasks without manual intervention.
  • Robustness
    Wget is designed to be resilient in unstable network conditions, automatically retrying connections and downloads.
  • Recursive Download
    Wget can recursively download files from the web, allowing the mirroring of websites and deep-fetching of directories.
  • Resume Support
    It has the ability to resume partially downloaded files, which is particularly useful for large files or unreliable connections.
  • Protocol Support
    Supports HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP protocols, making it versatile for different types of downloads.
  • Flexibility
    Offers many command-line options, providing flexibility to customize its behavior for different use cases.

Possible disadvantages of GNU Wget

  • Command-Line Only
    Lacks a graphical user interface, which might be a drawback for users uncomfortable with command-line tools.
  • No Native Windows Support
    Does not natively support Windows; users need a POSIX environment like Cygwin or a port.
  • Learning Curve
    The extensive options and command-line nature can be intimidating and require a learning period for new users.
  • Limited Parallel Downloads
    By default, Wget does not support downloading multiple files simultaneously, which can slow down the downloading process.
  • Basic FTP Support
    FTP support is somewhat basic compared to specialized FTP clients, lacking advanced features.

cURL videos

BOUNCE CURL REVIEW | Curl Review Series #2

More videos:

  • Review - CURLS BLUEBERRY BLISS REVIEW | Curl Review Series #1
  • Review - Curls Triple Threat Review // Frizz Free Curly Hair
  • Tutorial - How to use CURL

GNU Wget videos

Linux Command Review: wget, ssh, nc (2 of 2)

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How To Clone Websites With wget | Linux
  • Review - Linux Commands 101 : wget - Download ALL THE THINGS!

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to cURL and GNU Wget)
API Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Download Manager
0 0%
100% 100
Developer Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Utilities
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using cURL and GNU Wget. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare cURL and GNU Wget

cURL Reviews

Top 20 Open Source & Cloud Free Postman Alternatives (2024 Updated)
cURL is a widely used command-line tool for transferring data with URLs. It supports a multitude of protocols, making it a versatile choice for API testing.
Source: medium.com
Top 10 HTTP Client and Web Debugging Proxy Tools (2023)
The uniqueness of cURL above others is that it supports different types of protocols, like HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SFTP, POP3 SCP, and more. As a developer, you have to understand how cURL works.

GNU Wget Reviews

15 Best Httrack Alternatives Offline Browser Utility
If you are confused about how to get the command codes, you can get them on GNU Wget Manual.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, cURL seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 121 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

cURL mentions (121)

  • Most Effective Approaches for Debugging Applications
    Complex applications, with their interwoven layers of front-end, back-end, and database logic, often obscure bugs. Simplifying the problem by isolating components—such as a React component, a REST API endpoint, or a PostgreSQL query—helps developers focus on the failure point. Spencer Romenco, Chief Growth Strategist at Growth Spurt, shares a case study: “Simplifying and isolating the problem has always been the... - Source: dev.to / 14 days ago
  • The Inflation of "Security Researchers" and Its Consequences for Open Source
    A well-documented case that illustrates this problem is CVE-2020-19909, which was recently reassigned as a "critical" vulnerability in Curl — despite being a decades-old, non-exploitable bug. This case exposes the systemic flaws in how CVEs are assigned and scored [Daniel Stenberg’s blog][Hacker News discussion]. - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • Python for Beginners: Chapter 2 – Building Your First REST API with Flask
    For POST, PUT, and DELETE, you'll need a tool like Postman or curl. - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • How to Build a CRUD API with Laravel for Beginners
    To test the API, you can use a tool like Postman or cURL. Here are the routes you can test:. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • Open Source Developer Patronage Programs: A Sustainable Future for FOSS
    Projects like curl and Homebrew have successfully leveraged patronage programs to achieve financial sustainability. These examples highlight the potential for other projects to follow suit and secure the funding necessary for continued innovation. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
View more

GNU Wget mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of GNU Wget yet. Tracking of GNU Wget recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing cURL and GNU Wget, you can also consider the following products

Insomnia REST - Design, debug, test, and mock APIs locally, on Git, or cloud. Build better APIs collaboratively for the most popular protocols with a dev‑friendly UI, built-in automation, and an extensible plugin ecosystem.

HTTrack - HTTrack is a free (GPL, libre/free software) and easy-to-use offline browser utility.

Postman - The Collaboration Platform for API Development

SiteSucker - SiteSucker is a Macintosh application that automatically downloads Web sites from the Internet.

HTTPie - CLI HTTP that will make you smile. JSON support, syntax highlighting, wget-like downloads, extensions, and more.

WebCopy - Cyotek WebCopy is a free tool for copying full or partial websites locally onto your harddisk for offline viewing.