Hurl review
A focused open-source CLI for plain-text API tests and CI/CD execution.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Hurl is an open-source command-line tool for developers and DevOps teams who define HTTP tests in plain-text files. It runs requests, chains multiple calls, captures response values for later use, and validates status codes, headers, HTML, JSON, and XML. Support for REST, SOAP, and GraphQL makes it suitable for teams testing varied API styles, while Linux, macOS, and Windows support broadens its local development fit. The single Rust binary and libcurl foundation also keep its distribution focused for command-line environments.
The main strength is the depth of its request-and-assertion workflow. Hurl can query responses with XPath and JSONPath, test endpoint performance and response bytes, and generate text, JUnit, TAP, and HTML reports. Those formats give CI pipelines several ways to consume results, and the published integrations include GitHub Actions and GitLab CI/CD. Teams that prefer version-controlled, readable test files can keep request definitions and assertions alongside application code.
Hurl’s pricing model is open source, and it is distributed under the Apache License 2.0. Its fit is strongest when API testing belongs in local terminals and CI/CD pipelines rather than in a graphical test workspace. Teams needing plain-text HTTP coverage across REST, SOAP, or GraphQL should consider it; teams that require mocks, contract testing, or scheduled runs should choose a product that explicitly includes those workflows.
Hurl pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Plain-text tests support chaining, captures, and detailed assertions
- Covers REST, SOAP, GraphQL, XPath, and JSONPath validation
- Produces text, JUnit, TAP, and HTML reports for CI workflows
- Where it doesn't
- CLI-first workflows may not suit teams seeking a graphical interface
- Does not include mocks or contract testing in its stated feature set
- Scheduled test runs are not part of its stated feature set
Hurl fact sheet, pricing and score →
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