HTTPie

HTTPie is a command-line HTTP client that brings human-friendly interaction to API testing and development. We rate it 84/100 — an excellent open-source tool for developers who prefer CLI workflows and want a more intuitive alternative to curl for API work.

What is HTTPie?

HTTPie was created to address a simple but important problem: curl's syntax is powerful but complex. With nearly 38,000 GitHub stars, HTTPie has become the go-to HTTP client for developers who value clarity and ease of use. Written in Python, it's available across all major platforms and supported by a vibrant open-source community.

Whether you're testing REST APIs, debugging webhooks, or exploring GraphQL endpoints, HTTPie eliminates the cognitive overhead of curl's command syntax. The tool uses intuitive, English-like commands that developers can understand and remember without consulting documentation.

Key Features

• Expressive Syntax: Human-readable request syntax that prioritizes clarity over brevity
• Colored Output: Syntax-highlighted JSON and HTTP responses for easy parsing
• Native JSON Support: First-class JSON handling without manual escaping
• Authentication: Built-in support for Basic Auth, Digest Auth, Bearer tokens, and more
• File Uploads: Seamless form data and multipart file uploads
• Session Management: Persistent sessions for API workflows
• Download Capabilities: Built-in resume support for large file downloads
• Proxy Support: HTTP/HTTPS proxy support with authentication
• Custom Headers: Easy addition of arbitrary headers and request data

Recent Improvements (v2025.2.0)

The latest release adds several features that make HTTPie more powerful for modern development:

• Import/Export: Export entire spaces, collections, requests, and environments as JSON for version control and sharing
• Path Parameters: Parametrize URL segments using /:param syntax without complex escaping
• Copy as Command: Generate CLI commands directly from the desktop/web UI
• Selective Import: Choose which items to import rather than accepting all or nothing
• Clipboard Sharing: Share requests via clipboard without file downloads
• Code Generation: Produce equivalent code snippets in Python, JavaScript, curl, and other languages

HTTPie Ecosystem

HTTPie isn't just a CLI tool anymore. The project now offers three complementary interfaces:

• HTTPie CLI: The original command-line tool, open-source and free
• HTTPie Desktop: A native application with a GUI for visual API testing
• HTTPie Web: A web-based version accessible from any browser

Pros

• Dramatically easier to learn and use than curl
• Excellent documentation and active community support
• Fully open-source with 37,800+ GitHub stars
• Cross-platform availability (macOS, Linux, Windows)
• Quick installation via package managers (brew, apt, pip, etc.)
• Built-in support for modern authentication schemes
• Excellent for scripting and automation

Cons

• CLI performance is slightly slower than curl for large payloads
• Python dependency required for CLI (though distributions bundle this)
• Desktop and web versions are proprietary (CLI is open-source)
• Some advanced curl features may require custom request formatting

Pricing

HTTPie CLI is completely free and open-source. The desktop and web applications offer a freemium model with paid tiers for teams and advanced features.

Alternatives

• Postman: Feature-rich GUI with cloud collaboration, but heavier and less CLI-friendly
• Insomnia: Beautiful UI and plugin system, proprietary with open-source legacy versions
• Bruno: Open-source GUI alternative to Postman, lightweight and Git-friendly
• curl: The traditional CLI standard—powerful but with a steep learning curve
• Hoppscotch: Web-based open-source API client with collaboration features

What Makes HTTPie Different?

HTTPie's core philosophy is simplicity. Where curl requires memorizing flags and syntax, HTTPie uses intuitive, dictionary-like syntax. A basic GET request looks like:

http GET httpbin.org/json

Adding headers and JSON data is equally straightforward, making it ideal for rapid API exploration and development workflows.

Developer Experience

For CLI-first developers, HTTPie dramatically improves productivity. The colored output is immediately readable, JSON handling is automatic, and the syntax is forgiving. For teams transitioning from Postman or Insomnia, HTTPie CLI offers a lightweight, scriptable alternative that integrates seamlessly with modern development pipelines.

FAQ

Is HTTPie free?

The CLI is completely free and open-source. Desktop and web versions use a freemium model.

Can I use HTTPie in scripts?

Yes, HTTPie is excellent for automation. Its output is easily parseable and piping works naturally.

Does HTTPie support GraphQL?

Yes. You can send GraphQL queries by setting the Content-Type header and providing the query in the request body.

How do I authenticate with HTTPie?

HTTPie supports Basic Auth, Digest, Bearer tokens, and custom headers. Use the syntax: http -a username:password GET url

Can I save and reuse requests?

Yes. HTTPie's session feature lets you persist requests, headers, and cookies for future use.

Conclusion

HTTPie is outstanding for developers who want a more human-friendly HTTP client without sacrificing power. If you spend time testing APIs from the command line, HTTPie will pay for itself in productivity gains within days. For teams using Postman or Insomnia, HTTPie CLI offers a faster, simpler alternative for quick testing and scripting.