HTTPie vs Bruno: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between HTTPie and Bruno comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
HTTPie
User-friendly command-line HTTP client
Best for you if:
- • You need api tools features specifically
- • HTTPie is a user-friendly command-line HTTP client for API testing
- • It provides an intuitive syntax for making HTTP requests with formatted output
Bruno
Open-source API client alternative to Postman
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.2/10 vs 8.0/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • You need version control features specifically
- • Bruno is an open-source IDE for exploring and testing APIs, alternative to Postman
- • It stores collections in your filesystem with Git-friendly plain text files
| At a Glance |  HTTPie |  Bruno |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | API Tools | Version Control |
Rating | 80/100 | 82/100 |
| Feature | HTTPie | Bruno |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 80 | 82 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | API ToolsDebugging | Version ControlAPI Tools |
How HTTPie and Bruno Compare
HTTPie
User-friendly command-line HTTP client
Free tier available · 80/100 score
Bruno
Open-source API client alternative to Postman
Free · 82/100 score
HTTPie is a api tools tool. Bruno is in version control.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Bruno is free. HTTPie is freemium.
Go with: Bruno
Want the highest-rated option?
HTTPie: 80/100. Bruno: 82/100.
Go with: Bruno
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Bruno
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
HTTPie is freemium. Bruno is free. Go with Bruno if free matters most.
What's your use case?
HTTPie is a api tools tool. Bruno is in version control. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Bruno scores higher: 82/100 vs 80/100.
Key Takeaways
Bruno
- Higher score: 82/100 vs 80
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
HTTPie
- Better fit for api tools
The Bottom Line
Bruno (82/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HTTPie or Bruno better?
Bruno scores 82/100 in our evaluation. HTTPie is freemium and Bruno is free.
What are HTTPie and Bruno used for?
HTTPie: User-friendly command-line HTTP client. Bruno: Open-source API client alternative to Postman.
What does HTTPie cost vs Bruno?
HTTPie is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Bruno is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.