Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

cURL VS Runscope

Compare cURL VS Runscope and see what are their differences

cURL logo cURL

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

Runscope logo Runscope

Log, monitor and measure your API usage to solve API problems fast.
  • cURL Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-12-13
  • Runscope Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-01-05

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.

Runscope features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Runscope provides an intuitive and user-friendly interface that makes it accessible even for users with limited technical expertise. Its dashboard and tools are designed for easy setup and minimal learning curve.
  • Comprehensive API Testing
    Runscope offers a wide range of testing tools, allowing users to conduct thorough evaluations of API performance, reliability, and functionality. It supports REST and SOAP protocols, among others.
  • Automated Testing
    Users can automate their API tests through scheduled tests and continuous integration (CI) capabilities, leading to more efficient testing workflows and consistent monitoring over time.
  • Detailed Reporting
    Runscope provides in-depth test results and reports, helping users quickly identify, diagnose, and solve issues. This includes options for transaction logs, test step results, and historical analysis.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Runscope integrates well with various development and monitoring tools, such as Slack, JIRA, Jenkins, and GitHub, enhancing its functionality within existing workflows.
  • Team Collaboration
    Supports multiple users and provides features for team collaboration, including shared test environments, role-based access control, and group notifications.

Possible disadvantages of Runscope

  • Cost
    Runscope can be expensive, particularly for smaller teams or individual developers, due to its subscription-based pricing model. The more advanced features are reserved for higher-priced tiers.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic interface is user-friendly, mastering all the advanced features and integrations may require a steeper learning curve and more technical knowledge.
  • Dependency on Internet Connection
    As a cloud-based tool, Runscope requires a stable internet connection to function effectively. Any disruptions can hinder testing and monitoring processes.
  • Limited Offline Support
    Runscope lacks robust offline support, making it less ideal for developing and testing in environments without reliable internet connectivity.
  • Custom Automation Scripts
    Creating and managing complex, custom automation scripts can be challenging, requiring more advanced programming skills and understanding of Runscope’s scripting environment.
  • Limited Storage for Test Results
    The data retention period for test results may be limited based on the subscription tier, which can be a constraint for long-term projects requiring historical data analysis.

Analysis of cURL

Overall verdict

  • Yes, cURL (curl.se) is considered good. It is a reliable and powerful tool widely used in the industry for handling various network-related tasks.

Why this product is good

  • cURL is highly regarded for its ease of use, cross-platform compatibility, and ability to support a wide range of protocols including HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and more. It is often used for transferring data with URLs, making it versatile for developers and system administrators.

Recommended for

  • Developers needing to test and debug APIs
  • System administrators managing data transfers
  • Users automating web interactions
  • Anyone needing a flexible tool for command-line data transfers

Analysis of Runscope

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Runscope is generally considered good for testing and monitoring APIs.

Why this product is good

  • Runscope provides a user-friendly interface which simplifies API testing processes.
  • It supports multiple environments and integrates well with continuous integration and deployment pipelines.
  • Runscope offers detailed analytics and logging features that help in identifying and troubleshooting issues effectively.
  • The platform provides real-time alerts and notifications which are crucial for maintaining optimal API performance.

Recommended for

  • Developers and QA engineers looking for reliable API testing tools.
  • Organizations that need to ensure the performance and reliability of their APIs.
  • Teams that require seamless integration of API testing into their DevOps pipeline.
  • Users who value detailed reporting and monitoring features for API responses and uptime.

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

Runscope videos

Runscope Overview

More videos:

  • Review - Creating Runscope Tests from CA API Management

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to cURL and Runscope)
API Tools
70 70%
30% 30
Developer Tools
64 64%
36% 36
APIs
60 60%
40% 40
CLI
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

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

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.

Runscope Reviews

We have no reviews of Runscope yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, cURL seems to be a lot more popular than Runscope. While we know about 122 links to cURL, we've tracked only 1 mention of Runscope. 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 (122)

  • curl, it's got u
    I like curl it's available as a command line tool and is pretty ubiquitous across platforms. - Source: dev.to / 22 days ago
  • 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 / about 1 month 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 / 2 months 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 / 2 months 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 / 3 months ago
View more

Runscope mentions (1)

  • Show HN: Hurl.it Is Back
    Hurl.it was originally created by Chris Wanstrath and Leah Culver for the 2009 Rails Rumble. Hurl.it was acquired and maintained by https://twilio.com for awhile. Hurl.it was acquired and relaunched by https://runscope.com in 2013. Hurl.it was acquired and relaunched by https://pipedream.com in 2021. - Source: Hacker News / about 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing cURL and Runscope, 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.

Postman - The Collaboration Platform for API Development

HttpMaster - HttpMaster is a professional software tool for testing and debugging HTTP applications, primarily aimed at REST API applications and web services.

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

Hoppscotch - Open source API development ecosystem

API Fortress - API performance, accuracy, and uptime testing. Without code.