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grpcui

github.com

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Spec score 8.0 #9 of 24 in gRPC Tools

What it is

grpcui is a free, open-source command-line tool for interacting with gRPC servers through a browser-based interface. It is aimed at gRPC APIs rather than REST APIs and can discover service schemas through server reflection, .proto source files, or compiled protoset files. Its interface builds dynamic forms for protobuf messages, including well-known types, oneofs, and maps, and also accepts a complete JSON request body. grpcui supports RPC methods including streaming, then displays response headers, messages or errors, trailers, and readable HTML tables. It connects to plaintext and TLS servers, including mutual TLS with client certificates. Streaming requests have a constraint: they must be constructed all at once, so bidirectional streams cannot be handled interactively like they can with grpcurl. The project also provides Go packages for embedding a form or complete web UI in a Go HTTP server. Installation is documented through Homebrew on macOS or Linux, and through the Go install command. It is released under the MIT license.

Spec sheet

Purpose
grpcui is a command-line tool for interacting with gRPC servers through a browser-based web UI.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Audience
The tool is intended for developers who need to interactively construct requests and inspect gRPC service behavior.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Available platforms
web_and_desktopRead 20 Sep 2026 · github.com
License
grpcui is released under the MIT license.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Maker
FullStory was founded in 2014 and has offices in Atlanta and London.Read 30 Sep 2026 · fullstory.com
API style
The project is described as similar to Postman for gRPC APIs instead of REST APIs.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Container
The latest release page provides a container image command using ghcr.io/fullstorydev/grpcui:v1.5.4.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Embedding
The repository includes Go packages for embedding a gRPC web form or a complete standalone gRPC web UI into a Go HTTP server.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
gRPC support
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · github.com
Installation
Installation is documented through Homebrew on macOS or Linux and through the Go install command.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
JSON input
Users can enter or paste an entire JSON request body in a dedicated text form.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Request editor
The web UI provides dynamic HTML forms for protobuf messages, including well-known types, oneofs, and maps.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Response display
After an RPC, the UI displays response headers, response messages or errors, trailers, and human-readable HTML tables.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
RPC support
grpcui supports all kinds of RPC methods, including streaming methods.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Schema discovery
It can browse gRPC service schemas through server reflection, .proto source files, or compiled protoset files.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Streaming limit
Streaming requests must be constructed all at once and bidirectional streams cannot be interacted with like grpcurl.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Transport security
It supports plaintext and TLS servers, including mutual TLS with client certificates.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Open-source grpcui Free MIT license · use, modify, and contribute freely Read 30 Sep 2026 · grpcui.com

Every grpcui plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Discovers schemas through reflection or proto files
  • Builds dynamic forms for protobuf messages
  • Accepts complete JSON request bodies
  • Supports plaintext, TLS, and mutual TLS
  • MIT-licensed and free

Limits

  • Bidirectional streams cannot be handled interactively
  • Streaming requests must be constructed all at once
  • It targets gRPC APIs rather than REST

Who it suits

grpcui suits developers who need to construct gRPC requests interactively and inspect service behavior. It also offers Go packages for developers embedding a gRPC web interface in a Go HTTP server.

Verdict

grpcui provides a browser interface for constructing requests and viewing gRPC responses, with several schema-discovery options. Its streaming constraint matters for interactive bidirectional work.

Where Specifiction places it

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