SoapUI vs Thunder Client

SoapUI is an open-source tool for testing REST, SOAP, and GraphQL web services. It supports drag-and-drop creation of functional and regression tests, assertions, and data-driven tests, and can create service mocks from WSDL. The listed protocols also include JMS and SOAP/WSDL. Functional tests can be extended into load testing, including runs from command-line tools. Named automation integrations include Maven, Hudson, Bamboo, JUnit, and Ant, and SoapUI can run from other CI tools. It can configure incoming and outgoing WS-Security, including encryption, signatures, SAML, keystores, and truststores. SoapUI is described as cross-platform for Windows, Mac, and Linux/Unix. The open-source edition is listed for basic functional and performance testing; security testing appears among expanded capabilities associated with ReadyAPI. The listed SoapUI Open Source plan is free and includes API testing, mocking, and command-line automation. SmartBear describes it as a starting point for developers and testers, with support and a community forum linked on the site.

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.