Best HTTP Debugging Proxies for Mac

Browser dev tools cannot show you the HTTP(S) traffic of a native app, a simulator, a phone or a CLI tool.

Prices checked November 5, 2026 · 4 apps

All of these intercept HTTPS by installing a local root certificate, so the differences are in the viewer, how easy it is to capture an iOS or Android device, and what you can do with a request after you catch it: breakpoints, mapping to local files, scripting. Check which of those features the free tier leaves out.

Our pick

ProxymanPay once$89 one-time (1 device, 1 year of updates); free trial tier with limited featuresA native macOS proxy with a clean request viewer, simple iOS simulator and device setup, and paid tools for breakpoints, Map Local, Map Remote and scripting.Best for: Mobile and frontend developers building against their own API who want to inspect and rewrite traffic without fighting the tool.Visit

Alternatives

Free and open source

mitmproxyOpen sourceFree, open source (MIT)A terminal UI, web UI and dump tool for intercepting traffic, scriptable in Python.Best for: Backend and security work where you want to filter or modify traffic with Python scripts, or run interception in CI.Visit mitmproxy

Free to start

HTTP ToolkitFreemiumFree (open source); Pro $15/month or $132/year in the US, priced by regionAn open-source proxy that can intercept a specific browser, terminal session, Docker container or Android device with one click, with Pro adding mock rules and API validation.Best for: Developers who want targeted interception of one process or container instead of routing the whole system through a proxy.Visit HTTP Toolkit

Pay once

CharlesPay once$50 one-time (updates until the next major version); 30-day trialThe long-established proxy with throttling, breakpoints, rewrite rules and repeat requests, available on Mac, Windows and Linux.Best for: Teams with existing Charles session files and rewrite setups, or anyone who wants the cheapest paid license here.Visit Charles

Frequently asked questions

Is there a free alternative to Charles Proxy for Mac?

Yes. mitmproxy is free and open source, and HTTP Toolkit's free tier covers interception and inspection. Proxyman's free tier also captures and inspects traffic, with one debugging rule.

Proxyman or Charles?

Proxyman is a native Mac app with a faster setup for iOS devices; Charles is cross-platform and cheaper ($50 against $89). Both are one-time purchases.

How do I inspect HTTPS traffic from an iPhone app?

Run a proxy on your Mac, point the iPhone's Wi-Fi proxy at it, then install and trust the proxy's root certificate on the phone. Proxyman and Charles both walk you through these steps.