Alternatives
curl-runner is built for API suites that live in your repo and run in CI. Here is how it compares with the tools you might already use, including when they are the better choice.
| Feature | curl-runner | Postman | Insomnia | curl | HTTPie |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary interface | CLI | Desktop and web app, plus the Postman CLI | Desktop app, plus the inso CLI | CLI | CLI, plus desktop and web apps |
| Tests are written as | YAML files in your repo | Collections with JavaScript scripts | Collections and design documents | Shell commands | Shell commands |
| Built-in assertions | Status, headers, body, timing | Yes, in JavaScript test scripts | Yes, as test suites | Only HTTP error status (--fail) | Only HTTP error status (--check-status) |
| Headless / CI | Native, one binary | Via the Postman CLI or Newman | Via the inso CLI | Yes | Yes |
| Parallel runs | Built in (--parallel) | Collection runs execute requests in order | Not documented | --parallel for transfers | Not documented |
| Account needed | No | Free plan available; sign-in needed to save work | Local Scratch Pad needs none; most features do | No | No (CLI); desktop app works without one |
| Open source | Yes, MIT | Newman: Yes (Apache-2.0). App: no license stated | Yes, Apache-2.0 | Yes | CLI: Yes (BSD-3-Clause) |
Checked 2026-10-28 against each tool’s official docs and repository. “Not documented” means we found no statement either way. Spot something out of date? Open an issue.
GUI platform for designing, exploring and sharing APIs.
Pick curl-runner for
Suites reviewed in pull requests, CI without exports, one binary on any runner.
Pick Postman for
Exploring an unfamiliar API by clicking, shared workspaces, mock servers and published docs.
The universal command-line transfer tool, and the engine behind many scripts.
Pick curl-runner for
Many requests with assertions, variables, retries and a report at the end.
Pick curl for
One-off requests, scripts that only need the bytes, and anywhere you cannot install anything.
Desktop API client with design and testing features.
Pick curl-runner for
Configuration as code, headless servers and terminal-first workflows.
Pick Insomnia for
A polished desktop client for GraphQL and gRPC exploration and design-first work.
Human-friendly HTTP client for the terminal.
Pick curl-runner for
Repeatable suites with validation, chaining and parallel runs.
Pick HTTPie for
Quick, readable ad-hoc requests while you poke at an API.
Install, write a five-line YAML file, run it. Keep it if it earns its place.