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Published Nov 6, 2023 ⦁ 6 min read

The 5 Best REST Clients for Developers in 2023

Introduction

REST (Representational State Transfer) APIs have become the standard for building APIs that expose services and data. In fact, over 75% of public APIs today are based on REST architecture. As adoption of REST APIs continues to grow rapidly, developers need robust tools for testing, debugging, and integrating with them. A good REST client makes working with APIs much easier by handling all the underlying HTTP requests and responses.

In this post, we'll compare the top REST clients available today based on features, usability, customizability, and pricing. We'll cover the key capabilities to look for when evaluating a REST client. Our goal is to highlight the best options to improve your API workflows. Whether you're just getting started with REST APIs or are a seasoned pro, having the right client can significantly boost productivity.

Key Features of a Good REST Client

A REST client simplifies interacting with web APIs by abstracting away the underlying HTTP protocol. But not all REST clients are created equal. Here are some of the most important features and capabilities to look for:

User Interface

  • Intuitive design with main sections clearly visible - You'll want something easy to navigate without a complex learning curve. A clean, uncluttered interface allows you to focus on the task at hand.
  • Easy request creation with dropdowns, autocomplete etc. - Building requests should be simple and assisted with smart suggestions. Autocomplete and templates speed up the process.
  • Customizable layouts and themes - Tailor the look and feel to your preferences. Match it to your workflow and tastes.
  • Keyboard shortcuts for frequent actions - Optimize for speed and efficiency. Shortcuts boost productivity for power users.
  • Multi-pane view to see requests and responses together - Visualize everything in one place. See the relationship between requests and responses.

Debugging Capabilities

  • Inspection of headers, params, body for requests - Dig into the details of the HTTP traffic. Troubleshoot exactly what is being sent.
  • Syntax highlighting for response body - Improved readability for JSON, XML, etc. Easily scan structured data.
  • Searching within responses - Quickly find what you need in large responses. Don't waste time digging through long files.
  • Breakpoints to pause execution - Step through workflows for deeper debugging. Understand code flow and isolate issues.
  • Network request mocking - Stub server responses for testing. Simulate scenarios and test edge cases.
  • Graphs and visualizations of traffic - Gain insights into usage over time. Identify spikes and monitor performance.

Top 5 REST API Clients for Developers

Let's look at 5 of the top tools available today and examine their key strengths:

Postman

Postman is the industry standard for testing APIs. It's feature-packed and great for collaboration:

  • Easy to use interface to quickly send requests like Stripe or Twitter
  • Large collection of public API examples - Instantly get started with real APIs like Slack
  • Built-in documentation for auto-generated reference - Get a REST API spec automatically
  • Monitoring tracks request metrics over time - Understand usage patterns
  • Team collaboration with workspaces and permissions - Share and sync environments

Insomnia

Insomnia shines when you need to deeply debug APIs and maintain sessions:

  • Debugging tools like breakpoints and network mocking - Powerful troubleshooting
  • Cookie jar maintains sessions for workflows - Easily stay logged in to sites
  • Environment variables for dynamic parameters - Switch between contexts
  • Scripting support with JavaScript - Customize and extend capabilities
  • Full-featured native apps for each platform - Consistent experience across devices

Paw

Paw provides a polished native macOS app with extensive ability to customize:

  • Powerful native macOS app with polished UX - Seamless OS integration
  • Built-in Markdown documentation generator - Beautiful formatted docs
  • Dynamic values and mock generators - Smart placeholders and examples
  • Advanced customizations via extensions - Integrate with your workflow
  • Robust API testing features like assertions - Enterprise-grade testing

Hoppscotch

Hoppscotch is ideal if you want an open source browser-based client that just works:

  • Browser-based client works anywhere - No installation needed
  • Slick editing with autocomplete and suggestions - Quickly build requests
  • Testing workflows organized into collections - Group requests logically
  • Open source and free with an active community - Customize and contribute
  • Integrates with Git version control systems - Enables collaborative workflows

REST Client Extension

The REST Client extension brings a simple REST client directly into VS Code:

  • Make requests within editor - Seamlessly integrated workflow
  • Results shown instantly alongside code - Rapid iteration and testing
  • Great for quick tests and iterations - Lightweight and fast
  • Lightweight with minimal setup - Get started in seconds

Key Factors to Consider

When evaluating REST clients, keep these key criteria in mind:

  • Ease of use for initial setup and learning - Don't want a struggle to get started. Look for intuitive UIs.
  • Available features fit workflow needs - Aligns with how you work. Find something with the capabilities you require.
  • Quality of documentation and community support - Get help when needed. Thorough docs and active forums are invaluable.
  • Customization options via extensions, plugins etc. - Adapt it to your needs. Extend the tool as your use cases grow.
  • Pricing model depending on individual or team use - Budget-friendly options available. Consider free tiers for individuals.
  • Integration with existing toolchain and workflows - Leverage your tech stack. Look for integrations with tools you already use.

Of course, developers' needs differ, so take some time to try out multiple options firsthand. Finding the right fit can really enhance your productivity when working with APIs.

Conclusion

We've covered 5 of the leading REST clients - Postman, Insomnia, Paw, Hoppscotch, and the REST Client extension. While Postman is likely the most well-known, the other clients have their own strengths and might align better with your specific needs and preferences.

The key takeaway is to evaluate your own requirements and try out a few options before deciding on a REST client. Having the right tool that streamlines testing and integrating with APIs can be a huge productivity booster. With robust clients like the ones highlighted here, you can spend less time managing HTTP requests and more time building awesome projects!

If you found this overview useful, check out DevHunt to discover and share other great developer tools and resources.

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