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Thunder Client VS Postmate Client

Compare Thunder Client VS Postmate Client and see what are their differences

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Contents:
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  2. ยป Videos
  3. ยป Reviews
  4. ยป Alternatives

Thunder Client logo Thunder Client

Rest API client for VS Code, lightweight Postman alternative

Postmate Client logo Postmate Client

Privacy-first API client for VS Code โ€” no login, no cloud sync, no telemetry.
  • Thunder Client Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-05
  • Postmate Client Postmate Client running inside VS Code โ€” request builder
    Postmate Client running inside VS Code โ€” request builder //
    2026-07-07
  • Postmate Client Compare JSON responses side by side
    Compare JSON responses side by side //
    2026-07-07
  • Postmate Client Collection Runner โ€” run entire suites with one click
    Collection Runner โ€” run entire suites with one click //
    2026-07-07
  • Postmate Client HTML test execution report
    HTML test execution report //
    2026-07-07

Postmate Client is a free, privacy-first API client that runs natively inside VS Code. Test REST, GraphQL, and WebSocket APIs without leaving your editor โ€” no account required, no cloud sync, no telemetry. All requests, environments, and data stay on your machine.

Every feature is included, free โ€” there is no paid tier:

  • REST, GraphQL, and WebSocket requests with variable autocomplete
  • Collections and environments with instant switching
  • Request chaining โ€” pass values from one response into the next request without scripts
  • Data-driven testing โ€” attach a CSV data table to your environment and run a request against every row, or re-run a single row from a dropdown inside the request panel
  • Compare API responses โ€” diff two responses or two environments side by side, with differences shown in clean JSONPath notation; run bulk comparisons across a full data table for staging-vs-prod regression checks
  • Tests and assertions โ€” write them as table rows (no code) or in JavaScript with a Monaco editor
  • Collection Runner with HTML reports
  • CLI (pmc) for CI/CD pipelines โ€” GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins
  • mTLS / client certificate support โ€” certificates stay local, never uploaded
  • One-click import from Postman (v2.0/v2.1), Bruno, Swagger/OpenAPI, and cURL

Postmate Client was built by a solo developer after Postman was blocked at his organization over data privacy concerns. It is designed for developers and teams in security-conscious environments โ€” fintech, healthcare, enterprise โ€” where API payloads, tokens, and certificates must never leave the machine.

Install from the VS Code Marketplace and send your first request in under a minute.

Thunder Client

Website
thunderclient.com
Pricing URL
-
$ Details
-
Platforms
-
Release Date
-
Edit details

Postmate Client

Website
postmateclient.com
Pricing URL
Official Postmate Client Pricing
$ Details
free
Platforms
Windows Mac Linux
Release Date
2025 June
Startup details
Country
United States
State
TX
City
Austin
Founder(s)
Shyam Narayan Yadav
Employees
1 - 9
Edit details

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.

Postmate Client features and specs

  • Protocols
    REST, GraphQL, and WebSocket
  • Runs in
    VS Code โ€” native extension, no separate app
  • Privacy-Focused
    100% local โ€” no login, no cloud sync, no telemetry
  • Data-Driven Testing
    Run a request against every row of a CSV data table, or re-run any single row
  • Response Comparison
    Diff two responses or environments in JSONPath notation; bulk compare across data tables
  • Collection Runner
    Run full suites with HTML reports
  • Tests & Assertions
    No-code table-based tests, or JavaScript
  • CLI
    pmc โ€” run collections in GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins
  • Import/Export
    Import & export Postman format; import Bruno, Swagger/OpenAPI, cURL
  • mTLS Support
    Client certificate support โ€” certificates stay local
  • Pricing
    Free โ€” every feature included, no paid tier

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 Postmate Client

Overall verdict

  • I don't have verified, up-to-date information about postmateclient.com specifically, so I can't confirm its legitimacy, quality, or safety. There are many similarly-named delivery/courier-related tools and it's easy to confuse legitimate services with unofficial or low-quality clones, so caution is warranted before trusting or paying for this service.

Why this product is good

  • No independently verified reviews, ratings, or reputable coverage were found for this specific site.
  • The name is similar to major brands (e.g., Postmates), which raises the possibility of confusion with unofficial third-party tools.
  • Without clear information on the company behind it, its security practices, or customer support quality, its reliability cannot be confirmed.
  • Domain age, ownership transparency, and user feedback (via trusted review platforms) should be checked before use.

Recommended for

  • Users who have already independently verified the site's legitimacy and ownership.
  • Not recommended for those seeking an official Postmates-affiliated tool without confirming authenticity.
  • Best avoided by users who need to enter sensitive personal or payment information without first confirming security certifications (SSL, privacy policy, business registration).
  • Suitable only for advanced users comfortable doing their own due diligence (checking WHOIS data, reviews on Trustpilot/BBB, etc.) before trusting the service.

Thunder Client videos

+ Add

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

Postmate Client videos

No Postmate Client videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Thunder Client and Postmate Client)

Thunder Client

Postmate Client

Developer Tools
93 93%
Developer Tools
7% 7
API Tools
91 91%
API Tools
9% 9
APIs
100 100%
APIs
0% 0
Tech
100 100%
Tech
0% 0

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Thunder Client and Postmate Client.

What makes your product unique?

Postmate Client's answer:

Postmate Client combines three things no other API client does together:

  • Runs natively inside VS Code โ€” no separate app
  • 100% local โ€” no login, no cloud sync, no telemetry
  • Every feature free โ€” no paid tier

Two workflows stand out:

  • Data-driven testing โ€” attach a CSV data table to an environment and every row appears in a dropdown inside the request. Run all rows, or re-run a single failing row with one click.
  • Compare mode โ€” diff responses across two environments in JSONPath notation, even across an entire data table. Staging vs prod regression testing in one click.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

Postmate Client's answer:

Choose Postmate Client if your API data must stay on your machine.

  • vs Postman โ€” Postman (and its VS Code extension) requires an account and syncs to their cloud. Postmate Client has no account to sign into, because nothing leaves your disk.
  • vs Thunder Client โ€” adds full data-driven testing, response comparison, WebSocket support, and a CLI, all free.
  • No paywall anywhere โ€” collection runner, CI/CD CLI, and mTLS support are all included.

If you need shared cloud workspaces for a team, Postman is better at that โ€” Postmate Client is built for developers who want speed and privacy.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

Postmate Client's answer:

Developers and QA engineers who test APIs while writing code and want their data to stay local โ€” especially in security-conscious environments (fintech, healthcare, enterprise) where cloud-based API tools are blocked or discouraged by security teams.

Also a natural fit for VS Code users tired of switching to a separate app for API testing.

What's the story behind your product?

Postmate Client's answer:

Postmate Client was built by a solo developer after Postman was blocked at his organization over data privacy concerns โ€” API payloads and tokens syncing to a third-party cloud was an unacceptable risk.

The entire product philosophy stems from that day: no login, no cloud sync, no telemetry, everything stored locally. What started as a personal tool became a full API client for VS Code โ€” and it remains free, with every feature included.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

Postmate Client's answer:

  • TypeScript and the VS Code Extension API
  • Monaco Editor for scripting and diff views
  • Core logic ships as the @postmate/core npm package, which also powers the pmc CLI for CI/CD pipelines

User comments

Share your experience with using Thunder Client and Postmate Client. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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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 Postmate Client

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.
Source: www.hypertest.co
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

Postmate Client Reviews

We have no reviews of Postmate Client yet.
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Thunder Client and Postmate Client, 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.

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

Hoppscotch - Open source API development ecosystem

Requestly - A Powerfulย API Mockingย andย Testingย Tool

Apidog - All-in-One workspace for API Design, Documentation, Debug, Mock, Test

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