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Hurl
What it is
Hurl is a free command-line tool for running HTTP requests written in plain text. It can fetch data or test HTTP sessions, including workflows that chain requests, capture values, and evaluate queries against response headers and bodies. Hurl works with HTML, REST, SOAP, GraphQL, XML, and JSON APIs. Its assertions can check HTTP status, headers, cookies, XPath and JSONPath results, response duration, and SHA-256 body hashes. For CI/CD workflows, it can produce text, JUnit, TAP, and HTML reports; documentation covers GitHub Actions and GitLab CI/CD. Hurl is a lightweight Rust binary whose HTTP engine uses libcurl. Installation options include binaries or packages for Linux, macOS, and Windows, along with Docker, Cargo, conda-forge, and npm. The listed precompiled Linux binary requires libc 2.35 or newer; Debian package instructions cover Debian 12 or newer and Ubuntu 22.04 and 24.04. Windows installation requires a manually installed Visual C++ Redistributable Package because it is not included in the installer. Hurl is available for Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted use, and is licensed under Apache License, Version 2.0. No paid plans are stated.
For and against
For
- Chains requests and evaluates response headers and bodies.
- Works with REST, SOAP, GraphQL, and other listed formats.
- Produces four report formats for CI/CD use.
- Offers installation options for major desktop platforms and package tools.
Against
- Listed Linux binary requires libc 2.35 or newer.
- Windows installation requires a separate Visual C++ Redistributable.
- No free trial is listed.
The verdict
Hurl supports both request workflows and response assertions, with report formats and documented CI/CD integrations. Check its Linux and Windows installation requirements before choosing it.
Who it suits
Hurl suits developers who want to run HTTP requests from the command line, test API sessions, or add request checks to CI/CD pipelines. Its plain-text request format may also fit teams working across the listed API formats.
Plans and prices
Hurl
Open-source command-line tool; no paid plans stated
Read 8 Oct 2026 · hurl.dev
On the record
- API formats
- The site says Hurl works with HTML, REST, SOAP, GraphQL, XML, and JSON APIs.hurl.dev · read 8 Oct 2026
- Assertions
- Hurl examples show assertions for HTTP status, headers, cookies, XPath, JSONPath, response duration, and SHA-256 body hashes.hurl.dev · read 8 Oct 2026
- CI integrations
- The documentation describes using Hurl in GitHub Actions and GitLab CI/CD pipelines.hurl.dev · read 8 Oct 2026
- CI reports
- Hurl supports text, JUnit, TAP, and HTML reports for CI/CD use.hurl.dev · read 8 Oct 2026
- GraphQL support
- Yeshurl.dev · read 21 Sep 2026
- Installation
- The installation page lists binaries or package installation for Linux, macOS, and Windows, as well as Docker, Cargo, conda-forge, and npm options.hurl.dev · read 8 Oct 2026
- License
- The Hurl license page contains the Apache License, Version 2.0.hurl.dev · read 8 Oct 2026
- Linux requirement
- The precompiled Linux binary listing specifies libc version 2.35 or newer, and the Debian package instructions cover Debian 12 or newer and Ubuntu 22.04 and 24.04.hurl.dev · read 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Hurl is a command-line tool that runs HTTP requests defined in a plain-text format and can be used to fetch data or test HTTP sessions.hurl.dev · read 8 Oct 2026
- Request chaining
- Hurl can chain requests, capture values, and evaluate queries on response headers and bodies.hurl.dev · read 8 Oct 2026
- Security testing
- The security tutorial explains using Hurl to test server-side validation, CSRF protection, and whether served HTML contains comments.hurl.dev · read 8 Oct 2026
- Support and feedback
- The site welcomes feedback, suggestions, bug reports, and improvements through its GitHub feedback link.hurl.dev · read 8 Oct 2026
- Technology
- Hurl is a lightweight binary written in Rust, with its HTTP engine powered by libcurl.hurl.dev · read 8 Oct 2026
- Windows requirement
- Windows installation requires the Visual C++ Redistributable Package to be installed manually because it is not included in the installer.hurl.dev · read 8 Oct 2026
