Gud API vs Thunder Client
Thunder Client pioneered the "API client as an editor extension" category. In 2024 it changed its licensing model — the free tier shrank, the extension became closed-source, and certain features now require a subscription. Many developers have been looking for a native editor alternative since.
This is an honest comparison of Gud API and Thunder Client as of 2026.
At a glance
| Gud API | Thunder Client | |
|---|---|---|
| Runs in | Any code editor (Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf, VSCodium… via Open VSX) | VS Code |
| Free tier collections | Unlimited | 20 |
| Free tier environments | 1 | Limited |
| Account required | No | Yes (since v2.0) |
| Pricing | £4/mo or £29 lifetime | $3/mo, no lifetime option |
| Team plan | £8/seat/mo (admin pays, members free) | Limited team features |
| cURL import | Paste directly into URL bar | Import dialog only |
| cURL export | One-click button in URL bar | Code snippet dialog |
| Shared collections | ✅ With read/write permissions | Limited |
| JSON5 body support | ✅ | ❌ |
| Relaxed JSON (auto-fix commas) | ✅ | ❌ |
| Response timing sparkline | ✅ | ❌ |
| Open source | Source-available | Closed source |
| AI agent integration (MCP) | ✅ agents build collections you inherit | ❌ |
Where Gud API wins
1. No account required
Thunder Client now requires a sign-in for many features, including cloud storage of collections. Gud API works completely locally — no signup, no account, no cloud dependency for the free tier.
2. Unlimited collections on the free tier
Thunder Client caps the free tier at 20 collections. If you work across multiple projects or APIs, you hit this limit quickly. Gud API's free tier has no collection limit — only environments are capped (to 1).
3. Lifetime pricing
£29 one-time for Pro. Thunder Client is subscription-only. If you plan to use an API client for years, the math changes quickly.
4. Shared collections with per-collection permissions
Gud API's Team plan lets the collection owner set read-only or read/write permissions. Team members see shared collections in their sidebar with visual indicators (people icon / lock icon). Thunder Client's team features are more limited in the current model.
5. Admin-pays-for-seats team pricing
With Gud API's Team plan, the admin pays £8/seat/mo. Team members don't need their own license — the admin's subscription covers each seat. When an admin invites someone, the seat is auto-added to the subscription; when someone leaves, it's auto-removed.
6. cURL paste anywhere
Paste a cURL command directly into Gud API's URL bar — it auto-detects and fills method, URL, headers, body, and auth. Works for any cURL from browser DevTools, API docs, or Slack.
7. JSON5 body support
Write JSON bodies with // comments, trailing commas, unquoted keys, and single-quoted strings. Gud API converts to strict JSON before sending. Thunder Client doesn't support this.
8. Relaxed JSON parsing
Forgot a comma between test: 1 and accept: 0 on separate lines? Gud API auto-inserts it before sending. No more "why is my body being sent as a string?" debugging.
Where Thunder Client wins
To be fair:
- Longer history and larger user base — more content, tutorials, and StackOverflow answers exist
- Established workflow — if you've been using it for years, switching has a cost
- Slightly cheaper entry price — $3/mo vs £4/mo for individuals (though Gud API's £29 lifetime beats both long-term)
Migrating from Thunder Client
Exporting collections out of Thunder Client to Gud API takes under a minute:
- In Thunder Client, right-click a collection → Export → save as JSON
- In Gud API, open the sidebar → Import Collection → pick the exported file
- Your collection tree, requests, headers, and auth all transfer
Environment variables export the same way. Your Thunder Client history does not transfer — that's local to each extension.
The elephant in the room: closed source
Thunder Client went closed-source in 2024. Some developers feel uncomfortable with a closed-source extension handling their API credentials. Gud API is source-available — you can inspect what it does with your data.
When to stay with Thunder Client
You should probably stick with Thunder Client if:
- Your team has thousands of requests already saved there and migration cost is high
- You're happy with the current pricing and feature set
- You don't need shared collections, lifetime purchase, or cURL-first workflows
When to try Gud API
Try Gud API if:
- You hit the 20-collection free tier limit on Thunder Client
- You want a one-time £29 lifetime purchase instead of monthly fees
- Your team wants shared collections with fine-grained permissions
- You paste cURL commands daily and want a faster workflow
Gud API is free to install and try. No account needed.