Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Thunder Client VS Decoy

Compare Thunder Client VS Decoy and see what are their differences

Thunder Client logo Thunder Client

Rest API client for VS Code, lightweight Postman alternative

Decoy logo Decoy

Local server mocks in macOS, all in a lightweight native app
  • Thunder Client Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-05
Not present

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.

Decoy features and specs

  • Easy to use
    Decoy provides a straightforward and intuitive interface for managing content, making it accessible for developers and content editors alike without a steep learning curve.
  • Laravel integration
    Decoy is built specifically as a Laravel CMS admin, meaning it integrates seamlessly with Laravel projects and leverages familiar conventions and patterns from the Laravel ecosystem.
  • Customizable admin interface
    The admin panel is flexible and allows developers to customize fields, layouts, and workflows to suit the specific needs of their project without heavy modifications.
  • Built-in image handling
    Decoy includes image uploading, cropping, and management features out of the box, saving developers time from having to implement media management from scratch.
  • Open source
    Being open source, Decoy is free to use and benefits from community contributions, allowing developers to inspect, modify, and extend the codebase as needed.

Possible disadvantages of Decoy

  • Limited community and support
    Decoy has a relatively small user base compared to major CMS platforms, which means fewer community resources, tutorials, Stack Overflow answers, and third-party plugins are available.
  • Laravel dependency
    Decoy is tightly coupled to Laravel, meaning it cannot be used with other PHP frameworks or non-PHP projects, limiting its applicability to Laravel-only environments.
  • Infrequent updates
    The project may not receive frequent updates or active maintenance, which can lead to compatibility issues with newer versions of Laravel and potential security concerns over time.
  • Limited documentation
    The documentation may not be as comprehensive or detailed as more established CMS platforms, making it harder for new users to troubleshoot issues or learn advanced features.
  • Not suited for large-scale applications
    Decoy may lack the scalability, performance optimizations, and enterprise-level features needed for very large or complex content management scenarios compared to more robust CMS solutions.

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 Decoy

Overall verdict

  • I don't have verified information about a specific product at decoy-app.com, so I can't confirm whether it's good or make an authoritative recommendation. You should evaluate it directly by checking reviews, trying any free trial, and confirming it meets your needs before committing.

Why this product is good

  • Trying the product yourself (via free trial or demo) is the best way to judge if it fits your workflow
  • Independent reviews on sites like G2, Capterra, Trustpilot, or Reddit can offer real user feedback
  • Checking the company's transparency around pricing, privacy policy, and support signals reliability
  • Verifying security and data handling practices is important before sharing sensitive information

Recommended for

  • Users who first do their own due diligence through reviews and trials
  • People who can test the product against their specific requirements before purchasing
  • Those who verify the vendor's credibility, support, and privacy practices

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

Decoy videos

End of Duck Season Gear Pt 2 | Decoys, Motion Devices, other Gear | Best and Worst

More videos:

  • Review - Best MALLARD DECOY Flocked Floaters You've Never Seen!
  • Review - Rigโ€™Em Right Decoy Bag โ€” Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Thunder Client and Decoy)
Developer Tools
88 88%
12% 12
APIs
87 87%
13% 13
API Tools
89 89%
11% 11
Tech
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Thunder Client and Decoy. 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 Thunder Client and Decoy

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

Decoy Reviews

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

What are some alternatives?

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

Postman - The Collaboration Platform for API Development

Requestly - A Powerfulย API Mockingย andย Testingย Tool

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

Proxyman.io - Proxyman is a high-performance macOS app, which enables developers to view HTTP/HTTPS requests from apps and domains.

Clobbr - Easy API endpoint load testing without breaking the bank