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Thunder Client VS CodeFast

Compare Thunder Client VS CodeFast and see what are their differences

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Thunder Client logo Thunder Client

Rest API client for VS Code, lightweight Postman alternative

CodeFast logo CodeFast

CodeFast is the best coding course to learn how to turn your idea into an online business, fast.
  • Thunder Client Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-05
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Thunder Client features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Thunder Client offers a clean and intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to create and manage API requests without getting overwhelmed by complex features.
  • VS Code Integration
    Being an extension for Visual Studio Code, it is convenient for developers who already use VS Code, enabling seamless API testing within their development environment.
  • Lightweight
    Compared to other API testing tools, Thunder Client is lightweight, making it ideal for users who need a quick and simple solution for testing APIs without extensive configuration.
  • Environment Variables
    The tool allows the use of environment variables, enabling users to manage different environments effectively and switch between them easily.
  • Support for Collections
    Supports organizing requests into collections, allowing for efficient management and categorization of related requests.

Possible disadvantages of Thunder Client

  • Limited Advanced Features
    Thunder Client lacks some of the advanced features found in more robust API testing tools, such as automation scripts and extensive plugin support.
  • Dependency on VS Code
    As a VS Code extension, it requires Visual Studio Code to run. This dependency can be a drawback for users who prefer other code editors or standalone applications.
  • No Collaboration Features
    Unlike some other API testing tools, Thunder Client does not have built-in collaboration features, which can limit its use in team environments.
  • Platform Specific
    It is primarily designed for use within Visual Studio Code, which may not be ideal for users who work across multiple platforms or require a standalone solution.

CodeFast features and specs

  • Rapid Project Launch
    CodeFast is designed to help developers and entrepreneurs ship projects quickly, providing boilerplate code and templates that significantly reduce the time from idea to a working product.
  • Built for Indie Hackers & Solopreneurs
    The platform is tailored for solo developers and indie hackers who want to build and launch SaaS products, side projects, or startups without a large team, offering practical and actionable content.
  • Next.js & Modern Stack Focus
    CodeFast focuses on modern, in-demand technologies like Next.js, React, and related tools, ensuring learners are building skills with widely-used and relevant frameworks.
  • Community & Support
    CodeFast provides access to a community of like-minded builders and entrepreneurs, offering peer support, networking opportunities, and motivation to keep shipping products.
  • Comprehensive Starter Templates
    The platform offers ready-to-use starter kits and boilerplates that include authentication, payments, database setup, and other common SaaS features, saving significant development time on repetitive tasks.

Possible disadvantages of CodeFast

  • Premium Pricing
    The course and starter kits come at a significant cost, which may be prohibitive for beginners, hobbyists, or developers in lower-income regions who are just starting out.
  • Opinionated Tech Stack
    CodeFast is heavily focused on a specific tech stack (primarily Next.js), which may not suit developers who prefer or need to work with other frameworks like Vue, Angular, or different backend technologies.
  • Not for Complete Beginners
    The content assumes a baseline level of programming knowledge. Absolute beginners with no coding experience may find it difficult to follow along without prior foundational learning.
  • Dependency on Templates
    Relying heavily on boilerplate code and starter kits can limit deeper understanding of the underlying technologies, potentially leaving developers unable to troubleshoot or customize beyond the provided templates.
  • Limited Depth on Advanced Topics
    Because the focus is on shipping fast, some advanced software engineering concepts like scalability, testing, architecture patterns, and security best practices may not be covered in sufficient depth.

Analysis of Thunder Client

Overall verdict

  • Thunder Client is a good option for developers who want a minimalistic and efficient tool for testing APIs without the need for a standalone application. It is particularly beneficial for those who use Visual Studio Code as their primary development environment.

Why this product is good

  • Thunder Client is known for its simplicity and ease of use, making it a popular choice for developers who require a lightweight API testing solution. It is integrated directly into Visual Studio Code, allowing users to manage API requests without switching between applications. It supports RESTful services and offers features like collections, environment variables, and authentication support, comparable to other tools but within a more streamlined interface.

Recommended for

  • Developers who prefer working within Visual Studio Code
  • Those who need a simple and fast tool for testing REST APIs
  • Developers looking for an alternative to more complex API testing tools
  • Teams or individuals with straightforward API testing needs and require easy sharing of request collections

Analysis of CodeFast

Overall verdict

  • CodeFast is a well-regarded coding bootcamp-style course created by Marc Lou, aimed at teaching people how to build and ship web apps quickly, particularly for indie hackers and entrepreneurs rather than traditional software engineering career paths.

Why this product is good

  • Created by Marc Lou, a successful indie hacker with multiple profitable SaaS products, lending credibility to the practical approach taught
  • Focuses on speed and shipping real projects rather than deep theoretical computer science concepts
  • Teaches a modern, practical tech stack (Next.js, React, etc.) that's directly applicable to building SaaS products
  • Community access allows students to network with other builders and get support
  • Emphasis on building an actual portfolio of shipped products rather than just completing exercises
  • Regularly updated content to keep pace with changing web development practices

Recommended for

  • Aspiring indie hackers who want to build and launch their own SaaS products
  • Entrepreneurs with business ideas who need technical skills to build MVPs themselves
  • Non-technical founders looking to become technical enough to ship products without hiring developers
  • People who prefer project-based learning over traditional computer science curricula
  • Those specifically interested in the Next.js/React ecosystem for web app development
  • Self-motivated learners who want a fast-track path to shipping products rather than a comprehensive CS education

Thunder Client videos

Thunder Client - API testing right inside VSCode

More videos:

  • Review - Do you really need Postman? | Use Thunder Client - VSCode extension | Easy & Lightweight
  • Review - Thunder client - Vscode extension | Say no to Postman

CodeFast videos

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Category Popularity

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API Tools
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User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Thunder Client and CodeFast

Thunder Client Reviews

Best Postman Alternatives To Consider in 2025
This free, feature-rich extension integrates seamlessly with VSCode, making it ideal for developers who prefer a unified environment. Thunder Client offers collection management, environment variables, and basic automation capabilities. It stands out for its tight integration with VSCode's debugging tools.
15 Best Postman Alternatives for Automated API Testing [2022 Updated]
Thunder Client is a Vscode Postman alternative that runs as a Visual Studio Code extension (not open source). Its design focuses on simple and efficient HTTP clients while constructing or connecting with APIs. Thunder Client can handle a wide range of API requests. It effectively processes immense amounts of data simultaneously while not slowing down the VS Code program.
Source: testsigma.com
Top 5 Postman alternatives
Thunder Client is a VS Code extension focusing on being a simple and efficient HTTP client while building or integrating with APIs. It supports collections as a way to group relevant requests. Moreover, ThunderClient supports the concept of Environment and Environment Variables to store and re-use values within multiple requests. Finally, ThunderClinet offers a UI that you...
Source: testfully.io

CodeFast Reviews

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Thunder Client and CodeFast, you can also consider the following products

Postman - The Collaboration Platform for API Development

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

Hoppscotch - Open source API development ecosystem

Requestly - A Powerfulย API Mockingย andย Testingย Tool

RapidAPI for Mac - Paw is a REST client for Mac.

Bruno - Bruno is a Git-integrated, fully offline, and open-source API client