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 โ€” 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 โ€” a core API testing functionality โ€” 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 usersโ€™ wallets.

Developers expressed their disappointment loudly:

โ€œItโ€™s time to ditch the Thunder Client VS Code extension,โ€ 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 โ€” But Users Are Left Frustrated

We understand Thunder Clientโ€™s need to monetize, but charging for fundamental features feels like a bait-and-switch. Many developers feel โ€œsold outโ€ 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 โ€” with none of the surprises.

Always Free โ€” 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:

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

Plus features Thunder Client lacks:

  • ๐Ÿš€ Advanced test scripting for complex scenarios
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Real-time team collaboration
  • ๐Ÿ“Š Detailed response analytics and visualizations
  • ๐Ÿ”’ Support for a wide range of authentication methods
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Cross-platform sync across web and desktop
  • ๐ŸŽฏ Smart API code generation in multiple languages (Desktop version available, VS Code extension coming soon)
  • ๐Ÿ“ˆ Performance monitoring with response time and rate tracking
  • ๐Ÿ” 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 Developerโ€™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 โ€” 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?

Donโ€™t let Thunder Clientโ€™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 Clientโ€™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 โ€” free, powerful, and built for developers.

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

Say goodbye to hidden fees โ€” and hello to a better API testing experience.

Start your free EchoAPI journey today!