Thunder Client vs Visual Studio Code: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Thunder Client and Visual Studio Code 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:
- • Thunder Client is a lightweight REST API client for VS Code
- • It provides request testing with collections and environments inline
Visual Studio Code
Free code editor by Microsoft
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.4/10 vs 8.2/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • Free, open-source code editor by Microsoft
- • Extensive marketplace with thousands of extensions
| At a Glance |  Thunder Client |  Visual Studio Code |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | IDE & Code Editors | IDE & Code Editors |
Rating | 82/100 | 94/100 |
| Feature | Thunder Client | Visual Studio Code |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 82 | 94 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 101 |
| Categories | IDE & Code EditorsAPI Tools | IDE & Code EditorsDebugging |
How Thunder Client and Visual Studio Code Compare
Thunder Client
REST API client for VS Code
Free tier available · 82/100 score
Visual Studio Code
Free code editor by Microsoft
Free · 94/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Visual Studio Code is free. Thunder Client is freemium.
Go with: Visual Studio Code
Want the highest-rated option?
Thunder Client: 82/100. Visual Studio Code: 94/100.
Go with: Visual Studio Code
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Visual Studio Code
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Thunder Client is freemium. Visual Studio Code is free. Go with Visual Studio Code if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are ide & code editors tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Visual Studio Code scores higher: 94/100 vs 82/100.
Key Takeaways
Visual Studio Code
- Higher score: 94/100 vs 82
- More community upvotes (101)
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Thunder Client
The Bottom Line
Visual Studio Code (94/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Thunder Client or Visual Studio Code better?
Visual Studio Code scores 94/100 in our evaluation. Thunder Client is freemium and Visual Studio Code is free.
What are Thunder Client and Visual Studio Code used for?
Thunder Client: REST API client for VS Code. Visual Studio Code: Free code editor by Microsoft.
What does Thunder Client cost vs Visual Studio Code?
Thunder Client is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visual Studio Code is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.