Say Goodbye to Thunder Client Fees! Export Your Projects to EchoAPI with Ease

Frustrated by Thunder Client's new paywall for Collections? Switch effortlessly to EchoAPI, a truly free and feature-rich alternative offering seamless migration and powerful testing tools. Reclaim your workflow without hidden fees.

For many VS Code users, Thunder Client was the go-to lightweight API testing tool — simple, clean, and completely free. It quickly became a popular alternative to Postman thanks to its intuitive interface and no-cost usage. But everything changed on August 3, 2025, when Thunder Client announced it was moving its Collections feature — a core API testing functionality — behind a paywall.

The Backlash: Developers Are Frustrated

The developer community was quick to react. Collections are essential for organizing API requests and workflows, making this a key feature for daily work. Turning it into a paid feature felt like a direct hit to users’ wallets.

Developers expressed their disappointment loudly:

“It’s time to ditch the Thunder Client VS Code extension,” said one user, echoing many others who went from loyal fans to deeply disappointed.

Pain Points for Users

  • Core features locked behind paywalls: Essential tools now require a subscription.
  • Concerns about stability: Free users worry features might be cut further as commercialization deepens.

Community and Support Challenges

  • Limited documentation and resources: Compared to Postman, Thunder Client has fewer community materials.
  • Troubleshooting difficulties: Problems can be hard to resolve without sufficient support.
  • Inconsistent updates: Free versions receive less priority for maintenance and fixes.

Commercialization Is Inevitable — But Users Are Left Frustrated

We understand Thunder Client’s need to monetize, but charging for fundamental features feels like a bait-and-switch. Many developers feel “sold out” after investing time and trust.

This shift reflects broader trends in the API testing market:

  • Postman: Prices keep rising, making it expensive for large teams.
  • Insomnia: Recent versions have introduced bugs and data loss issues.
  • Other tools: Often limited in features or gradually moving toward paid models.

EchoAPI: A Truly Free, Powerful Alternative

In this landscape, EchoAPI stands out as a genuinely free API testing tool that delivers all the features developers need — with none of the surprises.

Always Free — No Strings Attached

  • All core features remain 100% free: Collections, environment variables, test scripts, and more.
  • No hidden fees or sudden paywalls.

Feature-Rich and Developer-Friendly

EchoAPI not only covers everything Thunder Client offers but also adds powerful extras:

All the essentials you loved in Thunder Client:

  • ✅ Lightweight VS Code extension
  • ✅ Clean, intuitive UI
  • ✅ Collections & environment management
  • ✅ GraphQL support
  • ✅ Test scripting

Plus features Thunder Client lacks:

  • 🚀 Advanced test scripting for complex scenarios
  • 🔄 Real-time team collaboration
  • 📊 Detailed response analytics and visualizations
  • 🔒 Support for a wide range of authentication methods
  • 📱 Cross-platform sync across web and desktop
  • 🎯 Smart API code generation in multiple languages (Desktop version available, VS Code extension coming soon)
  • 📈 Performance monitoring with response time and rate tracking
  • 🔍 Powerful search to quickly find APIs and history (Desktop version available, VS Code extension coming soon)

A Better User Experience

  • Rock-solid stability backed by rigorous testing
  • Active community and rich documentation
  • Regular updates and new features
  • Offline mode support for local data access

Built for the Future

  • Modular, extensible architecture with plugin support
  • Secure cloud backups for your data
  • Enterprise-ready features including team management and permissions

Switching from Thunder Client to EchoAPI Is Easy

Worried about losing your work? EchoAPI offers smooth migration tools:

1. Export from Thunder Client: One-click export in Postman or Thunder Client format

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2. Import into EchoAPI: Effortless import with just a click

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3. Seamless switch: Familiar interface means zero learning curve

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The Developer’s Choice: Tools That Respect Your Time and Wallet

Your focus should be on creating, not worrying about licensing changes. EchoAPI is committed to:

Helping developers focus on building great products — without paying for basic tools.

We believe the best developer tools are:

  • Problem-focused and practical
  • Transparent and fair in pricing
  • User-first, listening to feedback and improving constantly

Ready to Make the Switch?

Don’t let Thunder Client’s new pricing slow you down. Try EchoAPI today and discover a free, feature-packed API testing tool built with developers in mind.

Get Started Now:

  1. Visit EchoAPI
  2. Download the VS Code extension, desktop app, or use the web version
  3. Import your Thunder Client data in minutes
  4. Experience a smoother, faster API testing workflow

Join Our Community:

  • Star us on GitHub
  • Connect in our developer on X(Twitter)
  • Share your feedback and ideas
  • Help shape the future of EchoAPI

Conclusion

Thunder Client’s paywall change is just one example of the evolving API testing tool market. But it also opens the door for truly user-centric solutions like EchoAPI — free, powerful, and built for developers.

Choosing EchoAPI means choosing simplicity, transparency, and respect for your time and budget.

Say goodbye to hidden fees — and hello to a better API testing experience.

Start your free EchoAPI journey today!