Mediator vs Tucano Proxy
Mediator
github.comTucano Proxy
github.comSide by side
| Figure | Mediator | Tucano Proxy |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Web Debugging Proxies | 7.7 (#20) | 8.2 (#12) |
| Certificate handling | Each installation generates its own root certificate, available in DER and PEM formats, and a different installation requires reinstalling its certificate. | The app can create a root CA and offer OS trust-store installation, while CLI setup treats trust installation as opt-in and ordinary proxy startup does not install a certificate. |
| License | The repository identifies its license as Apache-2.0. | The repository identifies the project as MIT-licensed and credits Paulo Cabral. |
| Purpose | Mediator is a cross-platform GUI proxy for debugging gRPC traffic. | Tucano Proxy is an open-source HTTP/HTTPS debugging proxy with a native CLI, terminal inspector, local web UI, and desktop app. |
Plans
In their own words
Mediator
Mediator is a free, open-source desktop proxy for debugging gRPC traffic on Linux, macOS and Windows. It can redirect requests to beta or test servers without changes to client code. When an API schema is available, it parses gRPC requests and responses and presents binary messages as a JSON tree. Schemas can come from server reflection, proto source roots compiled with protoc, or FileDescriptorSet files. Matching server rules also allow gRPC and HTTPS decoding after the client installs the root certificate generated by that Mediator installation. Certificates are available in DER and PEM formats, and another installation requires its own certificate. The proxy listens on port 8888 by default. Downloads include Windows MSI, macOS DMG, Apple Silicon macOS DMG and Linux deb packages. Setup examples cover Java, Objective-C/iOS and Go clients. The repository identifies Apache-2.0 as its license.
Tucano Proxy
Tucano Proxy is a free, MIT-licensed open-source HTTP/HTTPS debugging proxy for inspecting and replaying network traffic. It runs through a configurable local MITM proxy and captures HTTP, HTTPS, and WebSocket connections. A native CLI, terminal inspector, local web interface, and desktop app provide several ways to work, with named sessions shared across the CLI, terminal UI, and web UI. The inspector presents request and response headers, timing, and bodies, with viewers for JSON, XML, HTML, raw text, hex, images, and forms. Filtering, search, capture comparison, notes, color marks, editable request replay, and exports to cURL, HAR, and Python requests support investigation. The project documents MCP integration and a coding-agent skill. Desktop installers cover macOS Apple Silicon, macOS Intel, and Windows; standalone CLI releases include macOS, Linux, and Windows. It can create a root CA and offer trust-store installation, while ordinary startup does not install certificates or change system proxy settings.