Hurl
Command-line tool that runs and tests HTTP requests written as plain text
- #8 of 10 in best API testing tools
- Free and open source
- Free to use
- Open source
- WindowsmacOSLinuxCommand line
Ranked 8 of 10 in best API testing tools
Apache-2.0 command-line tool that runs HTTP requests and assertions written as plain text, with installs for macOS, Windows and Linux. It has no graphical interface, so it suits scripted and CI tests more than interactive use.
Best for Scripted and CI tests written as plain text
About Hurl
Hurl reads a file that lists HTTP requests, and each entry can assert status codes, headers and JSON values. The README shows examples for REST and JSON APIs, and the --test option produces a test-style report. Hurl can also capture a value from one response and use it in the next request.
The documentation lists Homebrew for macOS, Chocolatey, Scoop and winget for Windows, and Cargo for Rust users. The Windows section says the Visual C++ Redistributable must be installed by hand. The GitHub repository is Apache-2.0 licensed and had about 19,000 stars when checked. Teams that prefer a graphical client may compare Bruno or Insomnia, which are also in this ranking.
Key features
- Plain-text request files
- Assertions on status, headers and JSON
- Value capture between requests
- --test report mode
- Apache-2.0 open source
Strengths
- Requests and tests are plain text files
- Apache-2.0 license
- Installs on macOS, Windows and Linux
Limits
- No graphical interface
- Windows needs the Visual C++ Redistributable installed by hand
Where Hurl ranks
How Hurl compares
| Product | Score | Price | Platforms | Collections stored |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6Kreya | 84.5 | Free plan, paid upgrades | macOSWindowsLinux | Not listed |
#7 Thunder Client | 82.0 | Free plan, paid upgrades | WindowsmacOSLinux | Not listed |
| #8Hurl | 81.5 | Free and open source | WindowsmacOSLinuxCommand line | Plain-text .hurl files |
#9 HTTPie | 79.5 | Free and open source | Command lineWebWindowsmacOSLinux | Local terminal or desktop app |
| #10ReqBin | 74.0 | Free plan, paid upgrades | Web | Cloud projects on Premium |
The full comparison table for best API testing tools has all 10 products.
Alternatives to Hurl
All 9 alternatives
PostmanAlso runs on Web.
BrunoOpen-source API client that keeps collections in Git-friendly files
InsomniaAPI client for REST, GraphQL, gRPC and WebSockets with Git sync
HoppscotchAlso runs on Web.
YaakLocal-first desktop API client that stores requests as YAML files- KreyaAPI client for gRPC, REST, GraphQL and WebSockets with a free plan
Questions about Hurl
- Is Hurl free?
- Hurl can be used without paying: Apache-2.0 command-line tool; free to install and use. Check the vendor’s pricing page for current limits.
- Is Hurl open source?
- Yes. Hurl publishes its source code under the Apache-2.0 license.
- Which platforms does Hurl support?
- Hurl is available on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line.
- What is Hurl best for?
- Scripted and CI tests written as plain text. In our ranking of API testing tools it is number 8 of 10 with a score of 81.5.
- What are the best alternatives to Hurl?
- The highest-ranked alternatives on listme.name are Postman, Bruno, Insomnia, Hoppscotch.
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