Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Pagekite VS Charles Proxy

Compare Pagekite VS Charles Proxy and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Pagekite logo Pagekite

Bring your localhost servers on-line.

Charles Proxy logo Charles Proxy

HTTP proxy / HTTP monitor / Reverse Proxy
  • Pagekite Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-25
  • Charles Proxy Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-20

Pagekite features and specs

  • Easy Configuration
    Pagekite offers a straightforward setup process, allowing users to quickly configure and deploy their services online without needing deep networking knowledge.
  • No Need for Static IP
    It enables access to local servers without requiring a static IP address, making it ideal for users with dynamic IPs or on networks with strict NAT policies.
  • Supports Multiple Protocols
    Pagekite supports HTTP, HTTPS, and arbitrary TCP protocols, providing flexibility for different types of web services and applications.
  • Custom Subdomains
    Users can create custom subdomains, making it easier to remember and access their services remotely.
  • Security Features
    It includes HTTPS support, which helps in securing the data transmitted between users and servers.

Possible disadvantages of Pagekite

  • Performance Limitations
    As a relay service, it can introduce additional latency and may suffer from bandwidth limitations compared to direct connections.
  • Subscription Cost
    While a free tier is available, more advanced features and higher usage tiers require a subscription, which may not be cost-effective for some users.
  • Alternative Dependencies
    Pagekite requires the installation of software on the host machine to facilitate connections, which can be a drawback for users preferring a less intrusive method.
  • Limited to Specific Use Cases
    It’s primarily designed for smaller-scale personal or development use cases, making it less suitable for enterprise-level needs requiring higher performance and reliability.
  • Potential Security Risks
    While HTTPS support exists, exposing local services to the internet inherently carries security risks, especially if proper configurations and safeguards are not implemented.

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 Pagekite and Charles Proxy)
Testing
100 100%
0% 0
Developer Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Localhost Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Proxy
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

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

Pagekite Reviews

Localtonet | Best Ngrok Alternatives
While Serveo, Localtunnel, and Pagekite are also viable options, Localtonet stands out with its intuitive user interface, extensive documentation, and helpful support team. Additionally, Localtonet offers a range of tunneling options, including HTTP/s, TCP, UDP, and UDP/TCP, making it a versatile tool for a variety of use cases.
Source: localtonet.com
Top 4 BEST Ngrok Alternatives In 2021: Review And Comparison
PagekiteOne time account setup is required.Supports HTTP/HTTPS, SSH, and TCP.One time subdomain setup which is tied to email address is required and can be used every time when tunnel setup is required.Both free and paid options are available. (Free for a month).Subdomain is supported as first class citizens. It is a part of the account setup itself.
5 Free Tools to Expose localhost to Internet
Pagekite is yet another tool you can use on your PC to expose localhost to internet. Just like other tools in the list, it takes a port number from you along with a subdomain name and create a public link. In order to use in your PC, you need to be sure that you have Python2 installed there. There are just two commands that you have to run in order t get started with it....

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

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Pagekite seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 11 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.

Pagekite mentions (11)

View more

Charles Proxy mentions (0)

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

What are some alternatives?

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

ngrok - ngrok enables secure introspectable tunnels to localhost webhook development tool and debugging tool.

Fiddler - Fiddler is a debugging program for websites.

Portmap.io - Expose your local PC to Internet from behind firewall and without real IP address

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

localhost.run - Instantly share your localhost environment!

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.