Developer Tools·Standings

Compare CLI Tools

CLI tools let you work with software by typing commands; choose based on the platforms you need and the tasks you want to handle.

Compare supported platforms, package managers, interactive mode, shell completion and offline use. The signal score is out of 10; marks show whether a tool has a public API, open-source code or a free tier.

  • 32 platforms
  • 24 with a free tier
  • Checked 7 Oct 2026
  1. 1
    H
    HTTPiehttpie.io

    A free, open-source client for API and web requests with GraphQL, sessions, and uploads.

    7.7 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $10/mo
  2. 2
    R
    resticrestic.net

    A free, open-source tool backs up and restores computer files.

    7.6 APIOpenFree Free tier
  3. 3
    R
    rclonerclone.org

    A free command-line program manages cloud files, with tools to back up, restore, mirror, and mount storage.

    6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier
  4. 4
    J
    jqjqlang.org

    A free utility that filters, slices, maps, and transforms JSON data.

    6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier
  5. 5
    F
    FFmpegffmpeg.org
    6.6 APIOpenFree Free tier
  6. 6
    H
    Homebrewbrew.sh

    A free, open-source installer for software on macOS, Linux, and Windows via WSL.

    6.6 APIOpenFree Free tier
  7. 7
    N
    Nixnixos.org

    A free package and system configuration tool supports Linux, macOS, and Windows through WSL2.

    6.6 APIOpenFree Free tier
  8. 8
    GB
    gs-batch-pdfgithub.com

    A free utility for parallel PDF batch work, compression, and PDF/A format conversion.

    6.4 APIOpenFree Free tier
  9. 9
    GC
    GitHub CodeQLcodeql.github.com

    A code analysis tool for security, correctness, and readability checks, with free and paid plans from $30 monthly.

    6.4 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $30/mo
  10. 10
    H
    Helmhelm.sh

    A free package manager that installs, updates, and rolls back Kubernetes apps using versioned charts.

    6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier
  11. 11
    K
    Kuberneteskubernetes.io

    A free, open-source system that deploys, scales, and manages containerized applications.

    6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier
  12. 12
    O
    OpenTofuopentofu.org

    A free Terraform-compatible tool plans and applies cloud and on-premises resource changes.

    6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier
  13. 13
    A
    aria2aria2.github.io

    A free downloader that handles HTTP, FTP, SFTP, BitTorrent, and Metalink across multiple sources.

    6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier
  14. 14
    P
    Pulumipulumi.com

    An infrastructure tool lets you define resources in languages such as Python, Go, Java, and TypeScript.

    6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $40/mo
  15. 15
    K
    K9sk9scli.io

    A free terminal interface for watching and managing Kubernetes resources and live metrics.

    6.2 APIOpenFree Free tier
  16. 16
    S
    Supabasesupabase.com

    A backend service combines Postgres, login tools, file storage, live updates, and server-side functions.

    6.2 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $25/mo
  17. 17
    L
    lazygitgithub.com

    A free terminal interface for Git lets you select changes and work with commit history.

    6.1 APIOpenFree Free tier
  18. 18
    G
    Gitgit-scm.com

    A free, open-source system that records project changes for small to very large projects.

    5.9 APIOpenFree Free tier
  19. 19
    F
    fdupesgithub.com

    A free Linux tool that finds duplicate files, scans subfolders, and can remove selected copies.

    5.9 APIOpenFree Free tier
  20. 20
    V
    Vercelvercel.com

    A web platform provides infrastructure for apps and agents, from launch through monitoring and growth.

    5.9 APIOpenFree Free tier · $20 usage-based
  21. 21
    B
    btopgithub.com

    A free Linux and macOS monitor for system use and processes, with graphs, sorting, and filters.

    5.9 APIOpenFree Free tier
  22. 22
    AC
    AWS Client VPNaws.amazon.com

    A paid VPN service from $0.10 with single sign-on and device checks on major platforms.

    5.2 APIOpenFree From $0.10/mo
  23. 23
    R
    ripgrepgithub.com

    A free, open-source tool searches codebases with regular expressions on Linux, macOS, and Windows.

    5.1 APIOpenFree Free tier
  24. 24
    AC
    AWS Command Line Interfaceaws.amazon.com

    A free, open-source command-line tool for managing AWS on Linux, macOS, and Windows.

    5.1 APIOpenFree Free tier
  25. 25
    AC
    Azure CLIlearn.microsoft.com

    A free, open-source terminal tool for Azure with interactive mode on Linux, macOS, and Windows.

    5.1 APIOpenFree Free tier

Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this board are open to sponsors. Take #1 · Other ways to advertise

How to choose

Which platforms does it need to run on?

Start with the operating systems and setup you use, then check the supported-platform marks. Options include macOS, Linux, Windows, self-hosted and web.

How will it fit my command-line workflow?

Check whether the tool supports interactive mode, shell completion and the package managers you use. These details can affect how you install it and work with it.

Do I need it to work offline?

If you need to use a tool without an internet connection, check its offline-use details before choosing.

How can I compare free and paid options?

Check whether a free plan is available and, for paid tools, the starting price. A free trial is a separate way to try a tool before paying.

Do I need an API or open-source code?

Check the public API mark if you need software access beyond its command-line interface. If you need to read or change the code, check the open-source mark and licence details.

Questions

What should I look for when choosing a CLI tool?

Compare supported platforms, package managers, interactive mode, shell completion and offline use. Also check price, API availability and open-source status.

How do I know if a CLI tool works on my computer?

Check its supported-platform details for your operating system or setup, such as macOS, Linux, Windows, web or self-hosted.

Are CLI tools free?

Some have a free plan, while paid tools may show a starting price. A free trial is distinct from a free plan.

What does the API mark mean for a CLI tool?

It indicates whether the tool has a public API, a way for other software to connect to it.

What does open source mean when choosing a CLI tool?

Open-source code can be read and, depending on its licence, changed. Check the tool's licence if code access or modification matters to you.

Some top positions on this board can be paid placements, standing where they were sold. The facts on each platform are not for sale. How we rank · Disclosure