Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

HTTP Header Spy VS Charles Proxy

Compare HTTP Header Spy VS Charles Proxy and see what are their differences

HTTP Header Spy logo HTTP Header Spy

HTTP Header Spy is a browser extension that allows you to inspect the request and response header of any website URL.

Charles Proxy logo Charles Proxy

HTTP proxy / HTTP monitor / Reverse Proxy
  • HTTP Header Spy Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-08-01
  • Charles Proxy Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-20

HTTP Header Spy features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    HTTP Header Spy is designed with a user-friendly interface that allows users to easily inspect HTTP headers without requiring advanced technical knowledge.
  • Quick Accessibility
    As a browser extension, it is quickly accessible and integrates seamlessly into the user's browser, allowing for fast header inspections during browsing.
  • Lightweight
    The extension is lightweight, ensuring that it does not require extensive system resources or slow down browser performance.
  • Free to Use
    The tool is available for free, following a donation-based model, which makes it accessible to a wide range of users without financial constraints.

Possible disadvantages of HTTP Header Spy

  • Limited Advanced Features
    It may lack advanced features that professional developers or network analysts might require, limiting its utility for more complex tasks.
  • Dependency on Browser
    As a browser extension, its functionality is tied to the browser's stability and compatibility, potentially limiting its usage across different platforms or environments.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Users might be concerned about the extension's permissions and data handling practices, although these concerns are common with many browser extensions.
  • Support and Updates
    Being a donation-based project, there might be limitations in terms of regular updates, features, and dedicated customer support compared to commercial software.

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.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to HTTP Header Spy and Charles Proxy)
Development
100 100%
0% 0
Developer Tools
18 18%
82% 82
Proxy
0 0%
100% 100
SEO Tools
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 HTTP Header Spy and Charles Proxy

HTTP Header Spy Reviews

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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. 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

What are some alternatives?

When comparing HTTP Header Spy and Charles Proxy, you can also consider the following products

Sky Live HTTP Headers - Sky Live HTTP Headers is an open-source browser extension that visually displays HTTP requests and response headers from every website you visit.

Fiddler - Fiddler is a debugging program for websites.

Smart Header - Smart Header is a browser extension that lets you manipulate the HTTP request headers and response header automatically.

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

Modify Header Value (HTTP Headers) - Modify Header Value (HTTP Headers) is a browser extension that allows you to add, modify or remove a header for any request to your preferred domains.

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.