HTTPie

HTTPie is a command-line HTTP client designed to make API testing readable and intuitive. Its simple key-value syntax replaces the dense flag combinations of curl, while built-in JSON support, syntax-highlighted output, and persistent sessions make it a faster way to test REST, GraphQL, and other HTTP APIs. HTTPie is written in Python, available as a standalone binary, and licensed under BSD-3-Clause.

HTTPie Desktop is a cross-platform GUI built on the same foundation, offering a visual request builder, saved environments, cookies, and authentication helpers for users who prefer not to live in a terminal. Together, the CLI and desktop apps cover the full range from quick command-line checks to full collaboration-style API workflows.

HTTPie is a long-standing open-source alternative to Postman, Apidog, Paw, and Thunder Client, with 38k+ stars on GitHub and a stable 3.x release line. It is well-suited for developers, QA engineers, and API integrators who want a lightweight, scriptable HTTP tool that does not require an account or sync to a cloud service.