curl
Transfer data across the internet using a command-line tool or library
- Also known as
- curl
Available worldwide
What is curl?
curl is a widely-used command-line tool and library that enables data transfer using URL syntax. It supports numerous protocols including HTTP, HTTPS, and MQTT, and can be used both from the command line and as a programmatic library.
curl pricing
We don't have curl's full plan breakdown yet (its pricing page resisted automated reading). Here's what we could confirm. Always check live pricing for exact numbers.
What curl does
The capabilities that matter for api development tools, normalised so it lines up with every alternative. “-” means we haven't confirmed it, not that it's missing.
- REST client
- ✓
- GraphQL support
- -
- gRPC support
- -
- Mock servers
- -
- Automated / contract testing
- ✓
- Team collaboration & sharing
- -
- Doc generation
- ✓
- OpenAPI / spec import
- -
- CI integration / CLI
- ✓
Platform & deployment
Independently observed- CLI
- iOS
- macOS
- Linux
- Windows
- Self-hosted
Security & compliance
Known vulnerabilities: 0 (0 in the last 12 months) sourcea count reflects scale & disclosure, not quality
curl FAQ
Common questions about curl, answered from independent, dated evidence.
What is curl?
An open-source solution available as both a command-line tool and embedded library, enabling network data transmission across billions of devices and applications worldwide. It is indexed under API Development Tools.
Source: https://curl.se/
Is curl free to use?
curl is open source, so it can be self-hosted and used at no licence cost. Pricing changes often, so verify at source before relying on it.
Source: https://curl.se/
What platforms does curl support?
curl supports Windows, Linux, iOS and a command-line interface. Platforms we have not confirmed are simply not listed here rather than ruled out.
Source: https://curl.se/
Can curl be self-hosted?
Yes. curl can be deployed self-hosted, so it does not have to run on the vendor's infrastructure.
Source: https://curl.se/
curl alternatives
Other api development tools we track, ranked by the same independent score.
- ApidogAn integrated platform for designing, testing, and documenting APIs with built-in AI assistance and real-time team collaborationmedium · 73%
- RedoclyTools for creating, validating, and managing API specifications and documentation across teamshigh · 76%
- Swagger UIInteractive API documentation generator from OpenAPI specificationshigh · 76%
- InsomniaCross-platform API client supporting multiple protocolshigh · 75%
- PostmanAn AI-powered API platform for developing, testing, and managing APIs at enterprise scalemedium · 73%
- Bump.shCreate APIs accessible to both developers and AI agentslow · 44%
Compare curl
Side by side against other api development tools, attribute by attribute, with a source on every value.
The vioscaleAI score: one lens on the evidence
Not user reviews and not a paid placement: a confidence-weighted blend of the independent signals below (adoption, activity, security posture, and more), which you can sort and re-weight yourself. Vendors can correct their listing but can never move their rank, and stars are weighted low as a vanity metric. It is one way to read the evidence for curl, not the verdict.
| Signal | Score | Weight | Contribution | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Development activity | 63 | 0.12 | 7.6 | ✓ |
| Capabilities | 67 | 0.08 | 5.6 | ✓ |
| Release cadence | 73 | 0.07 | 4.9 | ✓ |
| Dependent projects | 59 | 0.08 | 4.7 | ✓ |
| Security score | 69 | 0.05 | 3.7 | ✓ |
| Stars | 87 | 0.03 | 2.9 | ✓ |
| Integrations | 0 | 0.05 | 0.0 | - |
| Security posture | 5 | 0.09 | 0.0 | - |
| Package downloads | 0 | 0.17 | 0.0 | - |
| Developer Q&A activity | 0 | 0.08 | 0.0 | - |
Computed . Re-weight it by intent, or see the full method.
All data & sourcesshow ↓
Every value we hold, with its source, retrieval date, and confidence. This is the evidence behind the score: don't trust it, verify it.
Activity
| Attribute | Value | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Commits last 30d | 100 | mediumsource · 2026-09-10 · 65% |
Adoption
Content
| Attribute | Value | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Faq | 4 items | mediumsource · 2026-09-10 · 60% |
Features
| Attribute | Value | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Capabilities | Api docs, Rest client, Ci integration, Automated testing | mediumsource · 2026-09-14 · 60% |
Language
| Attribute | Value | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | C | highsource · 2026-09-10 · 90% |
Market
| Attribute | Value | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | PrimaryMarkets: … · AvailabilityScope: global · AvailableCountries: … · NotAvailableCountries: … | highsource · 2026-08-14 · 75% |
Pricing
Release
Security
| Attribute | Value | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Disclosure policy | Yes | mediumsource · 2026-09-14 · 60% |
| Scorecard | 6.9 | highsource · 2026-09-10 · 90% |
| Vulnerabilities | Count: 0 · Source: https://advisories.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/advisories?ecosystem=conda&package_name=ca-certificates&per_page=100 · Last 12m: 0 | highsource · 2026-08-26 · 90% |
| Trust center | https://curl.se/docs/security.html | mediumsource · 2026-09-14 · 60% |
Is curl the right choice for you?
Tell us the job, the constraints and what you weigh most, and we will rank curl against the rest of the api development tools we index, using the same dated evidence weighted your way.
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