In modern software development, HTTP testing tools have become essential companions for developers. This article will introduce 10 excellent HTTP testing tools for the Mac platform to help you perform API development and testing more efficiently.
Tools Overview
| Tool Name | Free Version | Open Source | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apidog | Free Basic Plan | No | https://apidog.com |
| Postman | Free Basic Plan | No | https://www.postman.com |
| Insomnia | Free Basic Plan | Yes | https://insomnia.rest |
| Paw | Paid | No | https://paw.cloud |
| Hoppscotch | Free | Yes | https://hoppscotch.io |
| Bruno | Free | Yes | https://www.usebruno.com |
| Thunder Client | Free | No | https://www.thunderclient.com |
| Advanced REST Client | Free | Yes | https://github.com/advanced-rest-client/arc-electron |
| HTTPie | Free Basic Plan | Yes | https://httpie.io |
| RestClient | Free | Yes | https://github.com/rest-client/rest-client |
1. Apidog
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tool Name | Apidog |
| Free Version | Free Basic Plan |
| Open Source | No |
| Website | https://apidog.com |
Apidog is emerging as a powerful API development tool that's quickly gaining popularity in the developer community. As an all-in-one API development platform, it offers an intuitive interface while integrating multiple functionalities including API design, development, testing, and documentation management. One of its standout features is the intelligent import capability, which seamlessly handles Swagger and Postman format files, significantly boosting productivity.
For team collaboration, Apidog's real-time synchronization feature is a game-changer. When team members make changes to an interface, updates are instantly visible to everyone, eliminating communication delays. Its robust mock service allows frontend development to proceed independently of backend API readiness. The intelligent parameter suggestions and automated testing capabilities are also notable highlights.
Perhaps most impressive is its documentation generation feature, which automatically creates professional API documentation from interface information, supporting multiple export formats. This effectively solves the long-standing challenge of documentation maintenance. For developers working with international teams, the multi-language support is particularly thoughtful. Regarding pricing, the basic version is completely free, making it an economical choice for small teams.Let's try Apidog.
2. Postman
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tool Name | Postman |
| Free Version | Free Basic Plan |
| Open Source | No |
| Website | https://www.postman.com |
As the veteran player in API testing tools, Postman maintains its position as many developers' go-to choice through its robust features and reliable performance. It supports complex API testing scenarios, including automated testing and performance monitoring. Its rich plugin ecosystem allows it to adapt to various development needs. However, it's worth noting that as features have been added, the application has become increasingly resource-intensive, with slower startup and response times, leading some users to seek alternatives.
3. Insomnia
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tool Name | Insomnia |
| Free Version | Free Basic Plan |
| Open Source | Yes |
| Website | https://insomnia.rest |
Insomnia is renowned for its clean interface and excellent user experience. It particularly shines in its GraphQL support, with built-in schema validation helping developers quickly identify potential issues. As an open-source tool, it benefits from an active community and regular feature updates. For developers who prefer a minimalist interface, insomnia is an excellent choice. While its plugin ecosystem isn't as extensive as Postman's, it's more than adequate for most development scenarios.
4. Paw
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tool Name | Paw |
| Free Version | Paid |
| Open Source | No |
| Website | https://paw.cloud |
Paw is a Mac-native HTTP client that embodies the elegant design principles of macOS applications. Though it comes with a price tag, it offers unique features like powerful dynamic value generators and an extensible JavaScript system. For Mac users who frequently work with complex API requests, Paw's smooth experience and perfect system integration justify the investment. Its code generation feature is particularly useful, supporting HTTP request code export in multiple programming languages.
5. Hoppscotch
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tool Name | Hoppscotch |
| Free Version | Free |
| Open Source | Yes |
| Website | https://hoppscotch.io |
Hoppscotch (formerly Postwoman) is a lightweight API testing tool that stands out for its browser-based accessibility while also offering a desktop version. With its clean, minimalist interface and quick startup time, it's perfect for simple API testing needs. As an open-source project, it maintains high code quality while being completely free, making it ideal for individual developers or small teams with limited budgets.
6. Bruno
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tool Name | Bruno |
| Free Version | Free |
| Open Source | Yes |
| Website | https://www.usebruno.com |
Bruno is a relatively new API client that distinguishes itself with its file system-based approach, where all API requests can be saved as files for version control. This is particularly advantageous for developers accustomed to Git-based project management. With its modern, clean interface and impressive performance, this free and open-source tool is gaining traction in the developer community.
7. Thunder Client
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tool Name | Thunder Client |
| Free Version | Free |
| Open Source | No |
| Website | https://www.thunderclient.com |
Thunder Client, as a VSCode extension, offers the major advantage of in-IDE API testing without switching applications. While it may not match standalone API testing tools in feature richness, it's more than sufficient for daily development testing needs. It's particularly convenient for developers who primarily use VSCode, offering a seamlessly integrated experience.
8. Advanced REST Client
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tool Name | Advanced REST Client |
| Free Version | Free |
| Open Source | Yes |
| Website | https://github.com/advanced-rest-client/arc-electron |
Advanced REST Client (ARC), evolved from Chrome Developer Tools, maintains a familiar feel for Chrome users. While its interface may be basic, it offers comprehensive functionality, supporting various authentication methods and complex request configurations. Being free and open-source adds to its appeal.
9. HTTPie
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tool Name | HTTPie |
| Free Version | Free Basic Plan |
| Open Source | Yes |
| Website | https://httpie.io |
HTTPie, originally a command-line HTTP client, now offers a GUI version while maintaining its reputation for intuitive syntax. The graphical interface preserves the simplicity of the CLI version while providing more visual operation options. It's known for its quick response times and excellent JSON format support.
10. RestClient
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tool Name | RestClient |
| Free Version | Free |
| Open Source | Yes |
| Website | https://github.com/rest-client/rest-client |
RestClient is a lightweight yet fully-featured HTTP client. Despite its simple interface, it supports all common HTTP methods and authentication types. Being completely open-source and requiring no account registration, it's an excellent choice for developers seeking a simple, reliable HTTP testing tool.
These are the top 10 HTTP testing tools worth considering for Mac users in 2024. Each tool has its unique features and use cases, allowing developers to choose based on their specific needs. We particularly recommend Apidog, which as an emerging tool demonstrates excellence in both functionality and usability, making it worth trying out.
https://dev.to/auden/how-to-test-apis-visually-in-intellij-idea-5388
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