Alternatives to RESTer
A browser extension for Firefox and Chrome for crafting and sending HTTP requests. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
RESTer
A browser extension for Firefox and Chrome for crafting and sending HTTP requests.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as RESTer.
Postman
The most widely used API client, for sending HTTP requests, organising them into collections and sharing them with a team.
Postman offers desktop apps and a browser version with collections, scripts, documentation and mock servers, but effectively requires an account and stores collections in its cloud.
Hoppscotch
A fast API client that runs in a browser tab, with a self-hostable workspace if you want one.
Hoppscotch runs in a browser tab with nothing to install, is open source under MIT, supports GraphQL and WebSocket, but needs an extension or desktop app for local services.
ReqBin
An online tool for sending REST and SOAP API requests directly from the browser.
ReqBin sends REST and SOAP requests from a website or browser extension with code snippets and timing breakdowns, but requests go through ReqBin servers, making local endpoints harder.
Restfox
A lightweight, offline-first open-source HTTP client that runs in the browser and on the desktop.
Restfox is an open-source, offline-first HTTP client usable in the browser or on the desktop, keeping RESTer's lightweight approach without being limited to an extension.
Firecamp
An open-source API client for testing REST, GraphQL, WebSocket and Socket.IO requests in the browser.
Firecamp is an open-source browser client adding GraphQL, WebSocket and Socket.IO and collection imports, though saving requests and collections requires an account.
Insomnia
An API client for REST, GraphQL and gRPC that can keep everything local or sync through Git instead of a cloud.
Insomnia moves to an open-source desktop application with REST, GraphQL, gRPC, testing and mocking, heavier than an extension and expecting an account for most features.
Bruno
An API client that saves collections as plain files in a folder, so Git handles the sharing instead of a cloud account.
Bruno is an open-source desktop client storing collections as plain files shared through Git, adding GraphQL, gRPC and a CLI runner, but it is Electron-based and heavier.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
ModHeader
A browser extension for modifying HTTP request and response headers and cookies while testing.
Requestly
An API client for designing and testing APIs, plus a browser HTTP interceptor for modifying requests.
curlconverter
A web tool that converts curl commands into equivalent code for dozens of languages and libraries.
