Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Charles Proxy VS TripMode

Compare Charles Proxy VS TripMode and see what are their differences

Charles Proxy logo Charles Proxy

HTTP proxy / HTTP monitor / Reverse Proxy

TripMode logo TripMode

Manage your Mac's broadband usage while on a hotspot
  • Charles Proxy Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-20
  • TripMode Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-24

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.

TripMode features and specs

  • Data Usage Control
    TripMode allows users to control which applications can access the internet, helping to prevent unnecessary data usage, especially useful when on limited data plans or mobile hotspots.
  • Cost Saving
    By blocking unwanted data consumption, TripMode helps users save money on data charges by only allowing crucial applications to connect to the internet.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The application features an intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to manage their network settings and monitor their data usage.
  • Automatic Activation
    TripMode automatically activates when the user connects to a designated network, ensuring that data usage is controlled without requiring manual intervention.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    TripMode supports multiple operating systems, making it versatile and convenient for users with different devices.

Possible disadvantages of TripMode

  • Limited Functionality in Free Version
    The free version of TripMode offers restricted features, which may not be sufficient for users looking for comprehensive data management without purchasing the full version.
  • Initial Setup Requirements
    Some users may find the initial setup process to require extra time as they configure which applications should be allowed or blocked.
  • Potential Compatibility Issues
    There may be occasional compatibility issues with certain applications or updates that could affect TripModeโ€™s performance or effectiveness.
  • Manual Adjustments Needed
    While TripMode offers automatic activation, users still might need to make manual adjustments to application permissions or settings based on specific usage requirements.
  • Performance Impact
    In some cases, users might experience a slight impact on system performance as the application manages and controls network data.

Analysis of Charles Proxy

Overall verdict

  • Charles Proxy is considered an excellent tool for those who need to monitor and analyze network communications. Its rich set of features and ease of use make it a valuable asset for developers and testers.

Why this product is good

  • Charles Proxy is widely regarded as a robust and versatile tool for web developers, offering comprehensive features for HTTP/HTTPS debugging, web traffic analysis, and SSL proxying. It provides a user-friendly interface, supports a wide array of platforms, and is especially useful for troubleshooting network issues and optimizing network calls.

Recommended for

  • Web Developers
  • Mobile App Developers
  • Network Engineers
  • QA Testers
  • Technical Support Teams

Charles Proxy videos

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TripMode videos

TripMode (Save data when connected to 3G/4G hotspot)

More videos:

  • Review - TripMode Protects Your Internet Speed During Zoom Calls and Livestreams!

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Charles Proxy and TripMode)
Developer Tools
86 86%
14% 14
Monitoring Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Security
100 100%
0% 0
Proxy
100 100%
0% 0

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 TripMode

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.
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. Wiresharkโ€™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. Fiddlerโ€™s UI is information-rich and...
Source: dev.to

TripMode Reviews

We have no reviews of TripMode yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, TripMode seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 13 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Charles Proxy mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Charles Proxy yet. Tracking of Charles Proxy recommendations started around Mar 2021.

TripMode mentions (13)

  • Why HTTP/3 is eating the world
    It occurs to me that QUIC could benefit from a single kernel-level coordinator that can be plugged for cooperation - for instance, a dynamic bandwidth-throttling implementation a la https://tripmode.ch/ for slower connections where the coordinator can look at pre-encryption QUIC headers, not just the underlying (encrypted) UDP packets. So perhaps I was hasty to say that you just need SOCK_DGRAM after all! - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Why havenโ€™t they put eSims into MacBooks yet?
    I've had this app for that bookmarked for a long time but haven't tried it. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Macbook uses excessive internet data, cannot track down the reasons.
    I use https://tripmode.ch/ for just such a thing. It works great, just whitelist the apps you want to have network access on a given hotspot and it blocks the rest. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Radio Silence alternatives? Or should I go with it
    Might look into TripMode, among the others mentioned here. Source: over 2 years ago
  • App/shortcut that automatically puts Mac in low power mode when connected to non-home network?
    You might also be interested in TripMode. It doesn't activate low power mode but does restrict your Mac's outgoing network connections when away from home wifi, which may contribute to power saving. Source: over 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Charles Proxy and TripMode, you can also consider the following products

Fiddler - Fiddler is a debugging program for websites.

Little Snitch - Little Snitch is a firewall application that monitors and controls outbound internet traffic.

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

Radio Silence - Radio Silence is a network monitor and firewall for the macOS. The software stops apps from making network connections. The firewall runs in the background and does not require an open window.

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.

DataCever - DataCever allows you to monitor and control internet traffic