Representational state transfer (REST) is an architectural style for developing web services. RESTful web services use HTTP requests to access and use data. A REST client allows you to access REST web services and make HTTP requests easily.
With the right REST client, you can quickly test REST APIs without having to write code. This saves significant development time. In this article, we will look at the top REST clients available as Chrome extensions and help you pick the best one for your needs.
What is a REST Client?
A REST client is an application that allows you to send HTTP requests to REST web services. The main operations in REST are GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE. A good REST client will allow you to:
- Make all types of HTTP requests including GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, and DELETE.
- Set headers like Content-Type and Authorization.
- Send parameters and body data.
- Save commonly used requests for later use.
- Display responses in a readable format.
A REST client with these features allows you to quickly test and interact with REST APIs without having to write client code. This simplifies API development and testing.
Why Use a Chrome REST Client?
There are many standalone apps and browser extensions for making REST calls. So why use a Chrome REST client specifically?
Here are some key advantages of using a Chrome REST extension:
- Easy to access: It’s right there in your browser. You don’t have to install a separate app.
- Cross-platform: Works on all platforms where you have Chrome installed.
- Syncs across devices: Your saved requests sync across devices.
- Works offline: REST clients work even without internet access. You can compose requests and access saved ones when offline.
- DevTools integration: Some clients integrate with Chrome DevTools for debugging.
- Free: Most good Chrome REST APIs are free to use with generous limits.
The convenience of accessing a REST client from your browser itself makes Chrome extensions the perfect choice for testing APIs during development.
Top 5 Chrome REST Clients
Based on features, usability and reviews, here are the top 5 Chrome REST clients:
REST Client | Key Features |
---|---|
Postman |
|
Insomnia |
|
RESTMan |
|
RESTClient |
|
Talend API Tester |
|
1. Postman
Postman is the most popular REST client available. It has a comprehensive feature set and an easy to use interface. Some key features include:
- Supports GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE and other request types
- Save requests in collections to organize APIs
- Write test scripts to validate responses
- Generate code snippets to quickly integrate APIs into your app
- Create documentation from collections
- Customize and save requests with dynamic variables
- OAuth 2.0 and other authentication helpers
- Import and export collections to share APIs
Postman has both free and paid plans. The free plan includes all the core features but has some limitations on team collaboration features. Overall, Postman provides the complete package for API testing and development.
2. Insomnia
Insomnia is an open source REST client built with usability in mind. It has support for all major platforms including Linux, Mac and Windows. Some key features are:
- Intuitive user interface with customizable themes
- Supports all HTTP request types and auth
- Import Postman collections
- Sync requests between Insomnia desktop and web
- Code generation
- Global variable management
- Autocomplete and instant feedback as you type requests
Insomnia offers most features available in Postman in an open source and easy to use package. It’s a great option if you prefer open source tools.
3. RESTMan
RESTMan provides a simple but powerful REST client tailored specifically for Chrome. Key features:
- Intuitive user interface
- Support for all APIs including GraphQL
- Import Postman collections
- Write custom JavaScript tests
- Autocomplete requests as you type
- Support for Basic, Digest, Bearer, OAuth authentication
RESTMan packs features like autocomplete, custom tests and auth into a fast Chrome-only app. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a REST client tightly integrated with Chrome.
4. RESTClient
RESTClient provides a simple tabbed interface for testing REST APIs right within Chrome DevTools. Features include:
- Make API calls via the Console panel
- Tabbed interface to handle multiple requests
- Tests and custom titles for requests
- Syntax highlighting for responses
- Basic auth support
- Proxy configuration
RESTClient has a simple and fast interface integrated into DevTools. It’s great for basic API testing and debugging during development.
5. Talend API Tester
Talend API Tester is a free REST client with powerful testing capabilities. Key highlights:
- Free unlimited usage
- Customizable themes
- Import Postman collections
- Authentication support
- Write tests in JavaScript
- Generate code snippets
- Test reports
Talend API Tester is the best free REST client with a generous free tier. The pro tier adds team collaboration and more features. It’s great for individual developers to test APIs for free.
How to Choose the Best REST Client?
When selecting a REST client, consider these key criteria:
- Features: Evaluate which features are important like auth, test cases, sync, etc.
- User interface: The UI should be intuitive and easy to use.
- Integration: How well does it integrate with your dev tools and workflow?
- Pricing: Choose one that fits your budget and needs.
- Platforms: Can be used on your OS and devices.
- Community & support: An active community for answers and discussions.
Try out the REST clients to see which one best fits your requirements. Most have free tiers or trials to test out before purchasing.
Conclusion
Testing and integrating with REST APIs is a key part of modern web development. The right REST client can help you be more efficient and productive.
All the major REST clients like Postman, Insomnia and RESTMan support core features like HTTP requests, auth, code generation, etc. Each has its own strengths like Postman’s comprehensive feature set or Insomnia’s usability.
Evaluate them against your specific needs and choose the one that best fits your workflow. The convenience of having them available right in your browser makes Chrome REST clients like Postman and Talend API Tester excellent choices for API testing.