Apidog
All-in-one API platform to design, debug, mock, and test with CI/CD
Cartero
Native graphical HTTP client for testing APIs freely
A lightweight, privacy-respecting graphical HTTP client for testing REST, SOAP, and XML-RPC APIs. Saves requests to Git-friendly TOML files you control.
Overview
A Native Alternative to Electron-Based API Tools
Cartero is a graphical HTTP client built for developers who need to test web APIs without sacrificing privacy or control. Compatible with REST, SOAP, and XML-RPC services, it supports multiple request methods and body payloads while remaining fully native and lightweight.
Own Your Data
Unlike cloud-dependent tools that force account creation, Cartero saves all requests to plain TOML files—Git-friendly and version-controllable. Variable binding lets you manage API keys and secrets securely. Customize headers and payloads with full transparency over where your data lives.
Built for Freedom
Created in response to the scarcity of truly free graphical HTTP clients, Cartero runs natively on GNU/Linux, Windows, and macOS using GNOME technologies (GTK 4, libadwaita). Available via Flathub, Snap Store, Homebrew, Scoop, and NixOS, it's distributed under GPL-3.0 and explicitly prohibits generative AI contributions to maintain code integrity. Whether you're debugging endpoints or building integration tests, Cartero delivers a fast, account-free experience.
Highlights
Git-friendly TOML file format for version-controlled request storage
Variable binding for secure API key and credential management
Native GTK 4 interface with no Electron bloat or mandatory accounts
Cross-platform support for GNU/Linux, Windows, and macOS
Pros
- Fully free software (GPL-3.0) with no forced account creation or login walls
- Lightweight native application using GNOME SDK and GTK 4
- Data stored locally in plain, version-controllable TOML files
- Available through multiple package managers (Flathub, Snap, Homebrew, Scoop, NixOS)
Considerations
- Requires GNOME SDK 46+ dependencies, which may be heavy on non-GNOME systems
- Smaller feature set compared to mature commercial API clients
- Community-maintained packages may lag behind official releases
- Limited to developers comfortable with file-based request management
Managed products teams compare with
When teams consider Cartero, these hosted platforms usually appear on the same shortlist.
Looking for a hosted option? These are the services engineering teams benchmark against before choosing open source.
Fit guide
Great for
- Developers seeking privacy-respecting alternatives to cloud-based API tools
- Teams using Git workflows who want version-controlled API request collections
- Linux desktop users preferring native GTK applications over Electron apps
- Projects requiring transparent, account-free HTTP testing tools
Not ideal when
- Teams needing real-time cloud collaboration on API collections
- Users requiring advanced features like automated test suites or CI/CD integrations
- Organizations standardized on proprietary API platforms with vendor lock-in
- Developers unfamiliar with TOML or file-based configuration management
How teams use it
Version-Controlled API Development
Store request collections in Git alongside code, enabling team collaboration and historical tracking of API endpoint changes without external services.
Secure Credential Management
Use variable binding to separate API keys from request definitions, preventing accidental credential commits while maintaining reproducible test scenarios.
Privacy-Focused API Testing
Test internal or sensitive APIs without sending request data to third-party cloud services, keeping all information on local infrastructure.
Cross-Platform Native Development
Deploy a consistent HTTP testing tool across Linux, Windows, and macOS development environments using native performance and system integration.
Tech snapshot
Rust78%
Inno Setup10%
Astro4%
Python4%
Meson2%
CSS1%
Frequently asked questions
Does Cartero require an account or internet connection to use?
No. Cartero is fully offline and account-free. All data is stored locally in TOML files you control, with no telemetry or mandatory cloud services.
What file format does Cartero use for saving requests?
Cartero saves requests as plain TOML files, which are human-readable, Git-friendly, and easy to version control alongside your codebase.
Can I use Cartero with REST, SOAP, and GraphQL APIs?
Yes. Cartero supports REST, SOAP, and XML-RPC APIs with customizable headers and body payloads. GraphQL requests work as standard POST requests with JSON bodies.
How do I manage API keys and secrets securely?
Use Cartero's variable binding feature to define secrets separately from request files, preventing accidental exposure in version control systems.
Is Cartero available for Windows and macOS?
Yes. Cartero runs natively on GNU/Linux, Windows (via Scoop or direct download), and macOS (via Homebrew or direct download). Packages are also available through Flathub and Snap Store.
Project at a glance
Active- Stars
- 925
- Watchers
- 925
- Forks
- 53
LicenseGPL-3.0
Repo age1 year old
Last commit3 days ago
Primary languageRust
Last synced yesterday