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SPECIFICTION
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Thunder Client

thunderclient.com

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Spec score 8.4 #16 of 38 in API clients

What it is

Thunder Client is a REST API client that runs inside VS Code and JetBrains IDEs. It lets users build, test and share API collections with a team, and validate responses through a graphical interface without scripts. Requests and client data are stored locally, with no cloud sync; collections can also be saved to a Git repository for collaboration. Paid plans add WebSocket, SSE and gRPC support, as well as the CLI and CI/CD integration, where CI/CD collection runs are unlimited. Starter includes 250 local collection runs per user monthly, Business 500, and Enterprise unlimited. Enterprise also connects to Azure Key Vault and AWS Secrets Manager and can store environment values encrypted; Free, Starter and Business store those values in plain text. The extension collects basic anonymized telemetry, which can be disabled in VS Code settings. The maker says it does not collect personal or request data. A 14-day trial is available by request to business email addresses. Paid plans are billed annually per user: Starter is $3/user/mo, Business $7/user/mo and Enterprise $16/user/mo.

Spec sheet

What it does
Thunder Client is a lightweight REST API client for testing APIs inside VS Code and JetBrains IDEs.Read 7 Oct 2026 · thunderclient.com
Free plan
YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · thunderclient.com
Trial
A 14-day free trial can be requested, and the maker says it is available only to business email addresses.Read 7 Oct 2026 · thunderclient.com
Paid from
3Read 21 Sep 2026 · thunderclient.com
Privacy
The extension collects basic anonymized telemetry, but the maker says it collects no personal or request data and allows telemetry opt-out in VS Code settings.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.thunderclient.com
Headquarters
Ireland (EU)Read 28 Sep 2026 · thunderclient.com
CI/CD
Paid plans include the Thunder Client CLI and CI/CD integration; the pricing page says CI/CD collection runs are unlimited.Read 7 Oct 2026 · thunderclient.com
Collection-run limits
Starter includes 250 and Business 500 local collection runs per user monthly; Enterprise includes unlimited local runs.Read 7 Oct 2026 · thunderclient.com
Collections
Users can build, test, and share API collections with their team.Read 7 Oct 2026 · thunderclient.com
Company and audience
Thunder Client says it is a bootstrapped startup based in Dublin, Ireland, founded by Ranga Vadhineni in 2021.Read 7 Oct 2026 · thunderclient.com
Encrypted environments
Enterprise can store environment variable values in encrypted format, while Free, Starter, and Business store them in plain text.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.thunderclient.com
Git collaboration
Users can save collections to a Git repository for team collaboration.Read 7 Oct 2026 · thunderclient.com
Local storage
Requests and API client data are stored locally on the user's machine, with no cloud sync.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.thunderclient.com
Protocols
Paid plans include WebSocket, SSE, and gRPC support.Read 7 Oct 2026 · thunderclient.com
Response testing
The product supports GUI-based response validation without requiring scripts.Read 7 Oct 2026 · thunderclient.com
Secret managers
The Enterprise plan integrates with Azure Key Vault and AWS Secrets Manager to retrieve secrets for request variables.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.thunderclient.com

Plans and prices

Free Free $0 / user / month VS Code · free version limits Read 7 Oct 2026 · thunderclient.com
Starter $3 a month $3 / user / month · Billed annually 250 Collection Runs · up to 10 seats · credit card only Read 7 Oct 2026 · thunderclient.com
Business $7 a month $7 / user / month · Billed annually 500 Collection Runs · payment by invoice Read 7 Oct 2026 · thunderclient.com
Enterprise $16 a month $16 / user / month · Billed annually Unlimited Collection Runs · SSO has an additional cost Read 7 Oct 2026 · thunderclient.com

Every Thunder Client plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Works inside VS Code and JetBrains IDEs
  • Graphical response validation without scripts
  • Collections can be saved to Git
  • No cloud sync for request data
  • Unlimited CI/CD collection runs on paid plans

Limits

  • No cloud sync
  • Free, Starter and Business store environment values in plain text
  • Trial requests require a business email address
  • SSO has an additional cost on Enterprise

Who it suits

It suits developers who want an IDE-based API client and can work with locally stored collections. Teams needing WebSocket, SSE, gRPC, CLI or CI/CD features need a paid plan.

Verdict

Thunder Client keeps API work within supported IDEs and stores request data locally. Check the plan limits and environment-value storage terms, particularly if encrypted values or higher run volumes matter.

Where Specifiction places it

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