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Charles Proxy VS Tests.ws

Compare Charles Proxy VS Tests.ws and see what are their differences

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Charles Proxy logo Charles Proxy

HTTP proxy / HTTP monitor / Reverse Proxy

Tests.ws logo Tests.ws

WebSocket Proxy is a browser based extension for testing and debugging. Monitor, inspect, and modify WebSocket traffic in real-time.
  • Charles Proxy Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-20
  • Tests.ws Landing page
    Landing page //
    2025-03-30
  • Tests.ws Find websocket proxy tab in devtools
    Find websocket proxy tab in devtools //
    2025-04-14
  • Tests.ws Monitor messages and data
    Monitor messages and data //
    2025-04-14
  • Tests.ws Use javascript to modify data on a fly
    Use javascript to modify data on a fly //
    2025-04-14

WebSocket Proxy is a powerful browser extension for testing and debugging WebSocket connections. It lets you monitor, inspect, and modify WebSocket traffic in real time - right from your browser. Ideal for developers, QA engineers, and anyone working with WebSocket APIs.

Charles Proxy

Website
charlesproxy.com
$ Details
-
Platforms
-
Release Date
-
Edit details

Tests.ws

Website
tests.ws
$ Details
free
Platforms
Google Chrome
Release Date
2025 February
Edit details

Charles Proxy features and specs

  • Comprehensive HTTP/HTTPS Debugging
    Charles Proxy offers robust capabilities to inspect HTTP and HTTPS traffic, making it easier for developers to debug and optimize network requests.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The tool has an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, which makes it accessible for both novice and experienced users.
  • Support for Various Platforms
    Charles Proxy is available on multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, enhancing its accessibility to a wide range of users.
  • Throttling Feature
    It allows users to simulate different internet speeds, latency, and bandwidth conditions, which is useful for testing applications under various network scenarios.
  • SSL Proxying
    Charles can decrypt SSL traffic, which is crucial for developers to inspect secure web traffic in development and testing phases.
  • Session Recording and Exporting
    It allows users to record network sessions and export them to share or analyze later, facilitating team collaboration and troubleshooting.

Possible disadvantages of Charles Proxy

  • Cost
    Charles Proxy is a paid tool. While it offers a trial version, a license must be purchased for continued use, which could be a limitation for some users or small teams with restricted budgets.
  • Steep Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    Although the interface is user-friendly, some advanced functionalities have a steep learning curve, especially for users who are not familiar with network debugging.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running Charles Proxy can be resource-intensive on your system, potentially slowing down performance, especially when monitoring large amounts of traffic.
  • Manual Configuration
    Users need to manually configure their devices or browsers to route through Charles Proxy, which can be cumbersome and time-consuming.
  • Limited Automation Capabilities
    Charles Proxy has limited support for automation compared to other modern debugging tools, which may affect its suitability for automated testing workflows.
  • Compatibility Issues
    There may be compatibility issues with certain applications or devices, particularly those with strict security measures against proxying, which can impede testing efforts.

Tests.ws features and specs

  • Real-time traffic monitoring
    View live WebSocket messages as they are sent and received.
  • Message editing
    Modify WebSocket messages directly in the UI and resend them using injected JavaScript. Perfect for testing custom scenarios, error handling, or backend responses.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Charles Proxy and Tests.ws)

Charles Proxy

Tests.ws

Developer Tools
93 93%
Developer Tools
7% 7
Proxy
92 92%
Proxy
8% 8
Testing
0 0%
Testing
100% 100
Security
100 100%
Security
0% 0

Questions and Answers

As answered by people managing Charles Proxy and Tests.ws.

What makes your product unique?

Tests.ws's answer:

Websocket Proxy provides browser-native tools specifically tailored for modern WebSocket workflows. Unlike traditional debugging tools, it integrates directly into the browser, offering real-time insights and control over WebSocket traffic with zero setup. It's lightweight, developer-focused, and designed to feel like a natural extension of your dev tools.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

Tests.ws's answer:

Because WebSockets Proxy is purpose-built for WebSocket debugging. While most dev tools treat WebSockets as a side feature, we put it front and center. With a clean UI, message editing/resending via JavaScript, and upcoming features like a built-in client, it's the most focused and intuitive tool for real-time app developers.

How would you describe your primary audience?

Tests.ws's answer:

Developers, QA engineers, and tech teams who work with real-time web apps using WebSocket connections. Especially useful for those building chat apps, live dashboards, games, or collaborative tools.

What's the story behind your product?

Tests.ws's answer:

Websocket Proxy was born out of frustration with clunky, generic network tools that barely support WebSockets. Honestly, I was just too lazy to set up Burp Suite for quick checks. I needed something simple, fast, and browser-native, so I built it. What started as a side project to speed up internal debugging turned into a tool I realized others needed too.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

Tests.ws's answer:

JavaScript / TypeScript, WebExtension APIs, Chrome DevTools Protocol, Vite for bundling, TailwindCSS (for UI), WebSocket protocol (obviously 🙂)

Who are some of the biggest customers of your product?

Tests.ws's answer:

While we're still early in our journey, Websocket Proxy already has 77 users in just the first couple of months. Many of them are developers from early-stage startups, QA engineers, and real-time app builders. One of them even reached out with a feature request - which is now in development. We're building based on real feedback from real users.

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Charles Proxy and Tests.ws

Charles Proxy Reviews

Top 10 HTTP Client and Web Debugging Proxy Tools (2023)
Charles Proxy is another tool that has a good popularity. It is a web proxy i.e., HTTP proxy or HTTP monitor that runs on your computer. Compared to Paw which works on only macOS, Charles proxy if configured or run correctly is agreeable with all OS, web browsers, any smart devices, personal computers, and internet applications.
Source: www.bestproxyreviews.com
12 HTTP Client and Web Debugging Proxy Tools
As the name says, Charles proxy is an HTTP and reverse proxy. It works by routing local traffic through it.
Source: geekflare.com
Comparing Charles Proxy, Fiddler, Wireshark, and Requestly
Although thousands of developers around the globe use Wireshark and Charles Proxy, they fail to occupy the top side in the design aspect. Wireshark’s interface is robust and detailed but can be intimidating for beginners. While Charles Proxy has a more approachable interface compared to Wireshark, it might seem cluttered to some users. Fiddler’s UI is information-rich and...
Source: dev.to

Tests.ws Reviews

We have no reviews of Tests.ws yet.
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Charles Proxy and Tests.ws, you can also consider the following products

Fiddler - Fiddler is a debugging program for websites.

Warp - Warp (Windows Advanced Rasterization Platform) is a high-speed software rasterizer tool designed for the accurate reproduction of bitmap graphics on modern microprocessor-based systems.

Proxyman.io - Proxyman is a high-performance macOS app, which enables developers to view HTTP/HTTPS requests from apps and domains.

Burp Suite - Burp Suite is an integrated platform for performing security testing of web applications.

HTTP Toolkit - Beautiful, cross-platform & open-source tools to debug, test & build with HTTP(S). One-click setup for browsers, servers, Android, CLI tools, scripts and more.

Zed Attack Proxy - The Zed Attack Proxy (ZAP) is an easy to use integrated penetration testing tool for finding...

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