curl: Command-line tool for data transfer
Command-line tool and C library for URL-based data transfer supporting 25+ protocols.
Learn more about cURL
curl is a command-line utility and libcurl is its underlying C library for transferring data to and from servers using URL syntax. The tool implements client-side support for numerous internet protocols through a unified interface, handling authentication, SSL/TLS encryption, and various transfer methods. curl operates as a single binary that can perform HTTP requests, file transfers, email operations, and real-time streaming across different network protocols. It serves as a foundation for web scraping, API testing, file synchronization, and automated data transfer workflows.
Protocol Coverage
Implements client support for over 25 internet protocols including HTTP/HTTPS, FTP/FTPS, SMTP/SMTPS, IMAP, WebSocket, and MQTT. This broad protocol support eliminates the need for multiple specialized tools.
Library Integration
Provides libcurl as a C library that applications can embed for network transfer functionality. The library offers the same protocol support and features as the command-line tool through a programmatic interface.
Cross-Platform Availability
Runs natively on virtually all operating systems and architectures, from embedded systems to mainframes. The consistent behavior across platforms makes it reliable for automation and scripting.
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