Charles vs HTTP Debugger
Charles
charlesproxy.comHTTP Debugger
httpdebugger.comSide by side
| Figure | Charles | HTTP Debugger |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $7.42/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 6 | 3 |
| Spec score · Web Debugging Proxies | 8.6 (#8) | 8.0 (#13) |
| Purpose | Charles is a web proxy and HTTP monitor that runs on your computer and records and displays data sent and received by browsers or other internet applications configured to use it. | HTTP Debugger captures, inspects, and replays HTTP/HTTPS traffic from browsers, desktop applications, and AI agents without changing proxy settings. |
Plans
Charles
- 1-4 User Licenses$50, paid once
- 10+ User Licenses$30, paid once
- 5+ User Licenses$40, paid once
- 1–4 User Licenses$50, paid once
- Site License$400, paid once
- Multi-Site License$700, paid once
HTTP Debugger
- Pro$129, paid once
- Maintenance renewal$89 a year
- HTTP Debugger Pro$129, paid once
In their own words
Charles
Charles is a web proxy and HTTP monitor for developers who need to inspect traffic from browsers and other internet applications configured to use it. While recording is enabled, it captures and displays HTTP and SSL/HTTPS requests and responses, including headers, cookies, and caching information. SSL Proxying lets users examine HTTPS session contents. They can repeat or edit requests, intercept requests or responses with breakpoints, replay traffic, mock responses, inspect WebSockets, and chain proxies. Bandwidth throttling and added latency simulate slower connections. Charles presents JSON, JSON-RPC, and SOAP in a simplified tree format and supports Flash Remoting AMF0 and AMF3. Its iOS app captures HTTP and HTTPS traffic and can share requests or sessions with desktop Charles. Captured data is stored on the user's computer; Charles says its developers cannot access it. The software runs on iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows. There is no free plan; a 30-day trial is available. Individual licenses start at $30, paid once for 10+ users, while 1–4 licenses cost $50 as a one-time purchase.
HTTP Debugger
HTTP Debugger has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.