Charles Proxy

Active

Country: New Zealand (NZ)
Founded: 2003
Developer: XK72 Limited (New Zealand)
Pricing: $50 one-time license
Open source: No
Platforms: macOS, Windows, Linux

Indexes

API Testing

Overview

Charles Proxy is a web debugging proxy application that monitors, inspects, and modifies HTTP/HTTPS traffic between a user's machine and the internet. It acts as a man-in-the-middle proxy, allowing developers to view requests, responses, headers, and data for debugging APIs, web applications, and network behavior. Targeted at developers, testers, and analysts, it stands out with automatic proxy configuration for browsers and systems, SSL traffic interception, and tools for simulating network conditions.¹²³⁴

Key Features

Traffic Inspection - View detailed HTTP/HTTPS request and response data, including headers and payloads.³⁴
SSL/HTTPS Support - Intercept and decrypt secure traffic using root certificate installation.²⁴⁹
Proxy Configuration - Automatic setup for browsers and operating systems on HTTP and SOCKS ports.¹⁵
Request Modification - Map requests to different endpoints or local files, edit responses, and use breakpoints.²⁴
Throttling - Simulate network bandwidth and latency conditions for testing.⁴
Bypass Domains - Configure list of hosts to exclude from proxying.¹
Session Recording - Save and load full traffic sessions for analysis.⁶

Pricing

Plan	Price	Includes
Single License	$50 one-time	Full access for one user on up to two machines.
Site License	Contact for quote	Unlimited users within an organization.

Platforms & Requirements

Runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux as a desktop application. Requires manual or automatic proxy configuration on each platform; supports external access via network IP. No mobile or web versions; minimum requirements align with modern desktop OS versions.³⁵

Integrations & Ecosystem

Browser proxy auto-configuration (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.)
SwitchyOmega Chrome extension
Windows system proxy settings
SOCKS proxy support
Session file export (.chls format)
HTTPS certificate installation for mobile debugging
API traffic profiling (e.g., Airship, Adobe Analytics)

Alternatives

App	Difference
Fiddler	Windows-focused with built-in scripting; less emphasis on cross-platform ease.³
mitmproxy	Command-line open-source tool; requires more setup but offers scripting flexibility.
Wireshark	Packet analyzer for all protocols; steeper learning curve, no HTTP-specific UI.
Proxyman	Modern macOS-native alternative with iOS simulator support; newer UI.

Reputation

Charles Proxy is regarded as user-friendly and reliable for HTTP debugging, with painless setup and effective SSL handling praised by developers.³ It excels in API testing and mobile traffic inspection via proxy configuration.²⁶ Criticisms include its paid model in a field with free alternatives like mitmproxy, and occasional complexity in advanced configurations.⁴

Sources (9)