Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Thunder Client VS Runscope

Compare Thunder Client VS Runscope and see what are their differences

Thunder Client logo Thunder Client

Rest API client for VS Code, lightweight Postman alternative

Runscope logo Runscope

Log, monitor and measure your API usage to solve API problems fast.
  • Thunder Client Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-05
  • Runscope Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-01-05

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.

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.

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

Runscope videos

Runscope Overview

More videos:

  • Review - Creating Runscope Tests from CA API Management

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Thunder Client and Runscope)
Developer Tools
53 53%
47% 47
API Tools
45 45%
55% 55
APIs
55 55%
45% 45
Tech
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 Thunder Client and Runscope

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

Runscope Reviews

We have no reviews of Runscope yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Runscope seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time 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.

Thunder Client mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Thunder Client yet. Tracking of Thunder Client recommendations started around Mar 2021.

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 Thunder Client and Runscope, 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 dev‑friendly UI, built-in automation, and an extensible plugin ecosystem.

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

Hoppscotch - Open source API development ecosystem

EchoAPI - Next-gen API development collaboration platform. More than just API design, debug, test, load-testing, and mock.

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