curl alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data
Common reasons people leave curl: terminal only, and no collections, environments or test assertions. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces curl, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. HTTPie currently ranks first.
No alternatives match these filters.
Show all 5 alternativesThe best curl alternative for…
The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.
Best curl alternative for most people
HTTPieFriendlier command syntax and coloured output, plus a desktop app.
Best curl alternative for a free option
xhA fast HTTPie-style CLI written in Rust, as a single binary.
Best curl alternative for a free plan you can upgrade
PostmanA graphical client that imports curl commands into collections.
Best curl alternative for open source
HurlPlain-text request files with assertions, built on libcurl.
Best curl alternative for Windows
HTTPieFriendlier command syntax and coloured output, plus a desktop app.
Best curl alternative for Linux
HTTPieFriendlier command syntax and coloured output, plus a desktop app.
Best curl alternative for working in the browser
HTTPieFriendlier command syntax and coloured output, plus a desktop app.
curl alternatives: common questions
What is the best alternative to curl?
HTTPie ranks first right now. Friendlier command syntax and coloured output, plus a desktop app. xh and Hurl follow it in our ranking.
Is there a free alternative to curl?
Yes. HTTPie (free), xh (open source), Hurl (open source) and Posting (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.
Is there an open-source alternative to curl?
Yes: HTTPie, xh, Hurl and Posting.
Which curl alternatives work on Linux?
HTTPie, xh, Hurl, Posting and Postman run on Linux.
Why do people switch from curl?
The complaints we hear most: terminal only; no collections, environments or test assertions; many options to learn.
How is this list ranked?
Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces curl, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.