Altair GraphQL Client vs Thunder Client

Altair GraphQL Client is an IDE for running and debugging GraphQL queries, mutations and subscriptions. It formats queries, supports file uploads using the multipart specification, and can export query collections. Users can set environment variables for endpoints, headers and queries, then browse schema types and operations in a documentation explorer. Pre-request and post-request scripts and an extensible plugin system add customization options. Altair GraphQL Cloud provides centralized query management, collections, query versioning and shareable query URLs. Official integration packages include Express middleware, Koa middleware, a static build and a Gatsby plugin. The free Basic plan lists up to two team members and 20 queries; Pro costs $7.99 a month per user and lists unlimited team members, teams and queries. The client is available as a web app and on desktop platforms, including Linux, macOS and Windows, with extension and self-hosted options. The maker says the web app is for quick or one-time use, not full development, because it has limitations. Documentation warns that introspection can expose an API schema and that Content Security Policy support is beta.

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.