Thunder Client vs Bruno: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Thunder Client 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:
Thunder Client
REST API client for VS Code
Best for you if:
- • You need ide & code editors features specifically
- • Thunder Client is a lightweight REST API client for VS Code
- • It provides request testing with collections and environments inline
Bruno
Open-source API client alternative to Postman
Best for you if:
- • 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 |  Thunder Client |  Bruno |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | IDE & Code Editors | Version Control |
Rating | 82/100 | 82/100 |
| Feature | Thunder Client | Bruno |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 82 | 82 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | IDE & Code EditorsAPI Tools | Version ControlAPI Tools |
How Thunder Client and Bruno Compare
Thunder Client
REST API client for VS Code
Free tier available · 82/100 score
Bruno
Open-source API client alternative to Postman
Free · 82/100 score
Thunder Client is a ide & code editors tool. Bruno is in version control.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Bruno is free. Thunder Client is freemium.
Go with: Bruno
Want the highest-rated option?
Thunder Client: 82/100. Bruno: 82/100.
Go with: Thunder Client
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Thunder Client
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Thunder Client is freemium. Bruno is free. Go with Bruno if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Thunder Client is a ide & code editors tool. Bruno is in version control. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Both score 82/100.
Key Takeaways
Thunder Client
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Bruno
- Completely free
- Better fit for version control
The Bottom Line
Thunder Client (82/100) is our pick. That said, Bruno is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Thunder Client or Bruno better?
Thunder Client scores 82/100 in our evaluation. Thunder Client is freemium and Bruno is free.
What are Thunder Client and Bruno used for?
Thunder Client: REST API client for VS Code. Bruno: Open-source API client alternative to Postman.
What does Thunder Client cost vs Bruno?
Thunder Client is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Bruno is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.