xh

xh is a fast, terminal-based HTTP client for developers and support staff who prefer composing requests as shell commands. It is particularly well suited to HTTPie users and anyone working across desktop operating systems who wants a free, open-source utility for routine API work. Its focused feature set is practical, but users dependent on HTTPie’s full ecosystem should be cautious.

Overview

xh combines performance-oriented design with HTTPie-compatible request-item syntax. Headers, query strings and request bodies can be expressed in a compact command style, reducing the friction of repeated API calls and making commands convenient to keep in scripts or share with colleagues. Compatibility mode can be enabled by invoking the program as http or https, or by setting XH_HTTPIE_COMPAT_MODE, which gives existing HTTPie workflows a useful migration path.

The project is free and distributed under the MIT License. Prebuilt binaries and package-manager instructions cover Linux, macOS, Windows and Android, so it is a realistic choice for mixed-device teams rather than a tool tied to one development environment.

Key features

Request construction is the strongest part of xh. It accepts JSON, form data, multipart and raw bodies, and can read body content from standard input or a file. That covers interactive API exploration as well as pipeline-based jobs, uploads and repeatable requests assembled from generated files.

Output controls let you pretty-print a response, show only headers, show only the body, or save and download the result to a file. These choices matter when a response must be inspected quickly, passed to another command, or retained as an artifact instead of scrolling past in a terminal.

Authentication options include basic, bearer and digest schemes. TLS settings allow version selection, certificate-verification configuration and client-side certificates, giving operators control for endpoints with stricter security requirements. The README lists HTTP/2 support, while the Cargo manifest exposes HTTP/3 as an optional feature. The --curl flag translates a request into a curl command, which is useful when handing a request to environments where curl is the established standard.

xh is not a complete HTTPie replacement. Its own README acknowledges that some HTTPie features remain unimplemented; there is no plugin system, and its documentation is less comprehensive than HTTPie’s. Those constraints are material for teams that rely on extensions, advanced compatibility or extensive guidance rather than core request-and-response operations.

Pricing

The xh plan costs nothing and is an open-source command-line HTTP client. There are no paid tiers, seat charges, usage quotas or renewal terms attached to this plan. That makes it suitable for individual developers, classroom use and teams that can adopt a shared open-source utility without procurement overhead. The trade-off is not a cheaper feature tier but the narrower implementation and documentation compared with HTTPie.

Platforms

xh supports Android, Linux, macOS and Windows. Prebuilt binaries are provided for Linux, macOS and Windows, with package-manager installation instructions for those systems and Android. This breadth helps teams keep the same command-line approach when switching between workstation platforms, although command conventions and package-manager details may still vary by operating system.

Who it's for

Choose xh for common API calls, request debugging and scripted terminal workflows where HTTPie-style syntax is desirable and a zero-cost license matters. It is a good fit for developers who need multiple body formats, authentication controls, TLS options and selectable response output without adopting a graphical client. Support engineers can also benefit from the curl translation when a request needs to be reproduced in another environment.

Look elsewhere if your workflow depends on complete HTTPie feature coverage, a plugin architecture or more extensive documentation. xh’s compatibility mode helps with familiar commands, but it does not remove the limitations of an incomplete feature set.

Pros and cons

Pros

• HTTPie-style request items: Headers, query strings and bodies can be expressed compactly in terminal commands.
• Broad body handling: JSON, forms, multipart, raw data, files and standard input support both ad hoc and scripted requests.
• Useful response controls: Pretty-printing, header-only or body-only output, and file saving keep inspection focused.
• Practical security options: Basic, bearer and digest authentication plus TLS and client-certificate controls cover common secured endpoints.
• Free and portable: MIT licensing and support for four platforms reduce adoption and distribution friction.

Cons

• Incomplete HTTPie coverage: Users migrating advanced HTTPie workflows may encounter missing capabilities.
• No plugins: The client cannot be extended through a plugin system.
• Weaker documentation: HTTPie offers a more complete reference for users who need extensive guidance.

Alternatives

For a wider survey of API tools, see the API clients list. The other linked products target learning-record-store management rather than terminal HTTP requests:

• Veracity Learning suits organizations wanting a freemium LRS with a free Lite plan supporting five LRSs and paid hosted tiers.
• SQL LRS is the better choice for a free, Apache 2.0, self-hosted LRS where implementation and support are quoted separately.
• Cluelabs LRS fits teams seeking a freemium LRS available on Android, iOS and the web.
• Mosra is an option for free launch-period lesson management across macOS, Windows, web and self-hosted deployments.
• GrassBlade LRS is for buyers needing a paid LRS with 25,000 statements per month on its Essential plan.
• ADL Open Source LRS is intended for proof-of-concept deployments serving a small number of users.
• Ralph suits developers wanting an MIT-licensed Python package and Docker image for an LRS.
• Sereni LRS fits users wanting a free plan with up to 100,000 xAPI statements or events and 1 GB of storage.

Verdict

Pick xh when you want a free, MIT-licensed terminal HTTP client with HTTPie-style commands, broad request-body support, useful authentication and TLS controls, and easy curl translation across major platforms. Choose another tool when complete HTTPie compatibility, plugins or stronger documentation are more important than xh’s focused, performance-minded command-line experience.