Today I had to find a way to execute a repeatable series of HTTP requests addressed to a Web Server from a Windows 10 machine.
If it were a Linux OS, I could’ve used cURL from a Terminal window in the following one-liner:
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> curl http://www.mysite.com/ |
Unfortunately, there’s nothin close to cURL in Windows, except for the BITSAdmin Tool — a command-line tool that you can use to create download or upload jobs and monitor their progress. However, BITSAdmin is designed to work with jobs and tasks, meaning that you have to create a job first, then append one or more tasks to it — which I found to be overkill for my current scenario.
Luckily enough there is a quicker alternative, thanks to the System.Net.WebClient class that can be invoked using Powershell.
All we need to do is to create a cURL.ps1 file and fill it with the following contents:
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(new-object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadString(«http://www.mysite.com») |
To get the contents as a string, or
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(new-object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadData(«http://www.mysite.com») |
In case we want to retrieve the URL as a byte array.
Wget
If we want to emulate the Wget command instead, we can do the following with a wget.ps1 file:
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(new-object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadFile(«http://www.mysite.com», ‘C:\Temp\file’) |
Ignore SSL warnings
In the unlikely scenario that we need to send our request(s) to a HTTPS website with an invalid certificate — which could easily be the case for locally-hosted resources, as they often rely to a self-signed certificate — we can use the ServicePointManager.ServerCertificateValidationCallback property provided by the System.Net namespace to disable the SSL trust requirements.
This can be done by adding the following line to any of our previous commands:
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[System.Net.ServicePointManager]::ServerCertificateValidationCallback = {$true}; |
Here are the updated commands:
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[System.Net.ServicePointManager]::ServerCertificateValidationCallback = {$true}; (new-object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadString(«https://www.mysite.com») |
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[System.Net.ServicePointManager]::ServerCertificateValidationCallback = {$true}; (new-object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadData(«https://www.mysite.com») |
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[System.Net.ServicePointManager]::ServerCertificateValidationCallback = {$true}; (new-object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadFile(«https://www.mysite.com», ‘C:\Temp\file’) |
That’s it for now: happy requests!
We have listed 4 alternatives for cURL which have similar features like
cURL
including commercial, freemium, free and open source Windows
alternatives.
Categories:
File Management
OS & Utilities
Wget is a free utility for non-interactive download of files from the Web.
HTTPie is a command line HTTP client.
aria2 is a lightweight multi-protocol & multi-source command-line download utility. It supports HTTP/HTTPS, FTP, SFTP, BitTorrent and Metalink, etc.
cliget is a Firefox addon that generates curl/wget commands that emulate the request as though it’s coming from your browser allowing you to download protecte…
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cURL (Client Uniform Resource Locator) has been a popular command-line tool because it manages multiple network protocols like HTTP and FTP. Like HTML, cURL relies heavily on a text interface. Unlike HTML, cURL essentially acts like an object-oriented programming language, making it far more flexible. For example, cURL can upload or download files via FTP or SSL. cURL’s flexibility and power explain why common home electronics like TVs, mobile phones, tablets and media players use it.
But cURL is not easy for all users to pick up. Its design makes it hard for some programmers to run the setup. Additionally, some cURL scripts and commands don’t work on Windows, limiting the options that users have for their operations.
Fortunately, there are several helpful alternatives to cURL that users can trust. Many of these are HTTP clients; others are application programming interface (API) clients. Here’s a look at some of the best alternatives today.
9 cURL Alternatives
- Wget
- Aria2
- Postman
- Flurl
- WinSCP
- HTTPie
- FileZilla
- Kreya
- CyberDuck
Wget
Wget is a GNU Project solution that helps users retrieve files through many different network protocols. It is a command-line tool that can work on multiple HTTP connections and proxies. Importantly, it can continue any aborted or paused downloads. This feature is crucial if work, power or connections become interrupted. Wget works on Windows and various Unix and Linux platforms, making it one of the most versatile cURL alternatives available.
Aria2
Aria2 is a popular cURL alternative because it’s a lightweight task for any computer. According to the official Aria2 website, it won’t use more than 10 percent of its computer’s CPU power. Aria2 also supports multiple connections for downloads, helping users download more data packets from target files in less time. This helps users who need a computing solution that requires less effort.
Postman
Postman is an API platform that helps users design and test APIs. An API interface is necessary for helping computer programs interact with one another. Postman simplifies how users can plan these APIs, using cloud computing to let users share their API data with others. In this situation, the system stores programming data online and makes it accessible to multiple parties that are authorized to access it. This approach allows for deeper team collaboration when producing new APIs. The platform supports all aspects of the API lifecycle, including the development and testing of the system.
Flurl
The practical design of Flurl makes it a convenient uniform resource locator or URL builder for many purposes. Users can code and test URLs and protocols through a simple editor. While many other programs have such editors, Flurl’s builder is more streamlined and straightforward. Even those who have little experience in programming can use this option. The system works on many platforms, including the .NET and UWP setups.
WinSCP
Users seeking an SFTP or FTP client that’s designed for Windows should try WinSCP. This open-source program supports secure file transfers between computers and servers. It works for local and remote servers and supports all major file formats. WinSCP also provides a helpful user interface and text editor that can manage the most common operations that users require with their files.
Tasks can also be automated through the WinSCP platform, with users selecting what parameters are necessary for getting actions to work. Synchronization parameters can include options for transferring updated files and when new scripts can work based on what servers will use them.
HTTPie
HTTPie, like Postman, is an API tester. Unlike Postman, HTTPie works for both mobile and desktop programs and displays alike. It’s an open-source program that can analyze the syntax or meaning of whatever request a user has while online. The platform also uses simple HTTP commands to help send these requests with as little code as possible.
FileZilla
Available since October 2006, FileZilla is one of the “elder statesmen” available when choosing a cURL alternative. It offers FTP and SFTP support for all desktop operating systems, but not mobile device OSs like iOS or Android.
The software can analyze files being transferred and cache (or save) files based on the ones users access the most. This makes it easier for users to download frequently-used content. With FileZilla, users can also take advantage of unique tools such as the ability to create IP rules, set speed limits on file transfers and adjust preferences for determining which files will be swapped out or used the most.
Kreya
Kreya provides a graphic interface that lets users prepare new protocol demands without writing new lines of code. The design offers a faster and simplified approach to programming and managing protocols. Kreya supports multiple coding environments and can handle templates for each potential data request users may send. The platform also lets users define authentication values, allowing them to determine when certain protocol requests should be exercised or blocked.
Cyberduck
The first beta version of Cyberduck was released in 2003, making it the oldest and perhaps most well-known cURL alternative for macOS and Windows. Its most attractive feature is its easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI). Additionally, the software offers multiple connection profiles for various protocol links, including Google Drive, Dropbox, S3, OneDrive and Box. That simplifies the process of connecting to remote servers for uploading or downloading files.
Cyberduck provides additional connection security through file content and name encryption support. Users can also move content created through Cyberduck to whatever outside editors they prefer like Kompozer and CKEditor, providing a helpful approach to work.
More in Software EngineeringIntroduction to Priority Queues in Python
Which cURL Alternative Is Right For You?
cURL alternatives are 100 percent free and provide an incredible variety of options and benefits. Many cURL alternatives support various operating systems; some allow preferences to be saved, whereas others have an easy-to-understand graphic interface; some are designed to work quickly on any computer. Smart users will take the time to know what their needs are before choosing the best cURL tool for the job.
What is cURL used for?
cURL is used to communicate with a server, sending and receiving data through different protocols like HTTP and FTP. This allows users to upload and download files across a range of devices.
Is cURL a programming language?
cURL is actually a command-line tool that’s used to transmit and receive data from a server. While cURL has been compared to an object-oriented programming language, it’s not a programming language.
Why might someone look for alternatives to cURL?
cURL can be challenging for some users to set up and get the hang of. Some cURL scripts and commands also don’t work on Windows systems, so users may turn to other options like Aria2, Flurl and HTTPie.
cURL
Alternatives to cURL for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, BSD and more. Filter by license to discover only free or Open Source alternatives. This list contains a total of 19 apps similar to cURL.
Client-side URL library and command-line tool for transferring data using commonplace network protocols. If you’re looking for more info about cURL like screenshots, reviews and comments you should visit our info page about it. Below you find the best alternatives.
Best cURL Alternatives for Windows
You’re looking for the best programs similar to cURL. Check out our top picks. Below, let’s see if there are any cURL alternatives that support your platform.
Wget
FreeOpen SourceMacWindowsLinuxBSD
GNU Wget is a free software package for retrieving files using HTTP(S) and FTP, the most widely-used Internet protocols. It is a non-interactive command line tool, so it may easily be called from scripts, cron jobs, terminals without X-Windows support, etc.
Features:
- Command line interface
- Batch processing
- Command line
- Downloader
aria2
FreeOpen SourceMacWindowsLinuxAndroidXfce
aria2 is a multi-protocol & multi-source, cross platform download utility. The supported protocols are HTTP(S), FTP, BitTorrent (DHT, PEX, MSE/PE), and Metalink. aria2 can download a file from multiple sources/protocols and tries to utilize your maximum download bandwidth. It supports downloading a file from HTTP(S)/FTP and BitTorrent at the same time, while the data downloaded from HTTP(S)/FTP is uploaded to the BitTorrent swarm.
Features:
- Ad-free
- Command line
- Command line interface
- Downloader
- Lightweight
- Support for Multiple protocols
- Support for Remote Control
- Resume interrupted downloads
HTTPie
FreeOpen SourceMacWindowsLinux
HTTPie (pronounced aitch-tee-tee-pie) is a command line HTTP client. Its goal is to make CLI interaction with web services as human-friendly as possible. It provides a simple http command that allows for sending arbitrary HTTP requests using a simple and natural syntax, and displays colorized output. HTTPie can be used for testing, debugging, and generally interacting with HTTP servers.
Features:
- Command line interface
- Web Testing
cliget
FreeOpen SourceMacWindowsLinuxFirefox
Download files using curl or wget. This addon generates curl/wget commands that emulate the request as though it’s coming from your browser allowing you to download protected files directly to a separate machine (e.g. server).
Features:
- Downloader
- Firefox Extensions
HttpMaster
FreemiumWindows
HttpMaster is a professional development and test tool for web applications, with special focus on REST web services and web API applications. Key features: — HttpMaster project to store complete definition of API calls in one single place. — Broad set of http properties (HTTP headers, URL encoding, etc.). — Dynamic parameters to simulate variations of input data or create global API values. — Response data validation with logical expressions.
Features:
- Api
- Request Chaining
- REST API
- Website testing
RESTClient
FreeOpen SourceMacWindowsLinux
RESTClient can be used to test variety of HTTP communications and RESTful webservices. Friendly GUI, rich functionalities.
DPLOY
FreeOpen SourceMacWindowsLinuxBSDNode.JS
DPLOY is an FTP/SFTP deployment tool built in node.js Uploads the latest changes by comparing the version on your server with your git repository.
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When implementing or testing APIs, it’s essential to have an HTTP client tool that is handy and easy to use. And for that, curl is probably one of the go-to tools of most programmers.
curl, created in 1997 by Daniel Stenberg, is a command-line tool for transferring data with URLs using protocols like HTTP, HTTPS, SSL, FTP, Kerberos, and many others.
curl’s simplicity and broad protocol support make an amazing piece of software. But we are not in 1997 anymore, and nowadays, in the era of API-driven societies and specifically REST APIs, we may want to have a little extra power in our hands.
Things like request authentication against APIs, JSON syntax highlighting for responses, script automation for tests, and versioning requests across distributed developers are needed, and curl seems to fail in these areas.
So let’s check some curl alternatives that may do that job.
VSCode Rest Client
VSCode Rest Client is an extension plugin to Microsoft’s VSCode code editor. It basically allows the testing of HTTP calls by writing a few lines of curl—like syntax in an http file.
The biggest advantage of this extension is that you never need to leave the code editor to test your endpoints and connections. If you use VSCode to code your apps and APIs, you probably won’t need any external HTTP client app installed on your laptop. Cool, isn’t it?
HTTPie
HTTPie is a command-line based HTTP client that may serve as a nice alternative for those who want to try something different from curl but still use a command-line terminal for testing JSON-based APIs.
Besides having a simple language, HTTPie has a colorized terminal output with syntax highlighting, authentication capabilities, and built-in JSON support.
It is probably the best command-line based curl replacement out there.
Postman API Client
Moving to desktop apps with another well-known API testing client, we have Postman API Client.
Postman can provide us with everything we need when doing API testing, from simple HTTP requests to authentication, automated tests, and custom scripts. Its request analysis capabilities can also be quite handy if, for whatever reason, you need to understand all the layers your request and response are traveling through.
Features like cloud sync and shared requests between users make Postman a complete API testing tool.
Insomnia
Insomnia is divided basically into two main products: an API designer tool and an API client.
Insomnia API Client is interesting due to its extensibility with custom plugins, support for different response types like PDF and images, and its certificate management utilities for SSL.
On top of that, Insomnia’s documentation is always complete and up to date to the point where every detail, instruction, or example of a feature can be found.
Paw
If you are running on a Mac and have some budget, you may want to look at Paw. This one is entirely tuned to run on Macbooks, taking advantage of every bit of hardware and software available on Apple laptops.
Paw also supports versioning with cloud sync, extensions that can be installed separately, and secret management.
Probably the only downside of using Paw is its pricing.
Welcome to modern API development and testing 
Resources
- curl — https://curl.se/download.html
- VSCode Rest Client — https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=humao.rest-client
- HTTPie — https://httpie.io/
- Postman — https://www.postman.com/downloads/
- Insomnia — https://insomnia.rest/
- Paw — https://paw.cloud/