Hurl vs Yaak
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted developer tools & git options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Hurl | Yaak |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 94 · Excellent | 96 · Excellent |
| Category | Developer Tools & Git | Developer Tools & Git |
| License | Apache-2.0 | MIT |
| Language | Rust | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 19,214 | ★ 19,253 |
| First released | 2020 | 2024 |
| Replaces | Postman, Insomnia | Postman, Insomnia |
What are Hurl and Yaak?
Hurl
Hurl is an open-source command-line tool that runs HTTP requests defined in a simple plain text format. It is used for API testing and can be integrated into self-hosted CI pipelines.
- Plain text request files
- Built-in assertions
- CI friendly
- Chained requests
Yaak
Yaak is a desktop API client for sending HTTP, GraphQL, and gRPC requests, designed to be fast and privacy-respecting. It stores data locally and supports plugins and Git-friendly workspaces.
- REST, GraphQL and gRPC support
- Local data storage
- Plugin system
- Git-friendly workspaces
Hurl vs Yaak: key differences
Hurl is written in Rust, while Yaak is built with TypeScript. Licensing differs — Apache-2.0 for Hurl versus MIT for Yaak. Hurl is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 256 MB for Yaak. Hurl is the more established project (first released 2020), while Yaak arrived in 2024.
Why pick each one
Choose Hurl if…
- Plain text request files
- CI-friendly and fast
- Built-in assertions
Watch out for
- No graphical interface
- Curl-style learning curve
Choose Yaak if…
- Fast native app
- Local-first data storage
- Git-friendly workspaces
Watch out for
- Younger than rivals
- No built-in cloud sync
Frequently asked questions
Is Hurl or Yaak better?
Neither is universally better. Yaak has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Hurl and Yaak free and open-source?
Yes. Hurl is licensed under Apache-2.0 and Yaak under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Hurl and Yaak with Docker?
Hurl: check the project docs for container support. Yaak: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Hurl or Yaak?
Hurl has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for Yaak. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.