TL;DR
Proxyman vs mitmproxy: For most Mac users in 2026, mitmproxy is the better choice for Network debugging because it is the more widely adopted, better-maintained option in the Network debugging space. Both install with a single Homebrew command, so the switching cost is low. Choose Proxyman instead if api support is your priority.
Which is better: Proxyman or mitmproxy?
mitmproxy is the top pick for most Mac users looking at Network debugging — it is free and installs in one Homebrew command. Proxyman is the stronger choice if you prefer its specific feature set. Both are worth trying.
Proxyman vs mitmproxy
Which is the better Network debugging for Mac in 2026?
We compared Proxyman and mitmproxy across 6 key factors including price, open-source status, and community adoption. Read our full breakdown below.
Proxyman
HTTP debugging proxy
mitmproxy
Interactive HTTPS proxy for debugging and testing
Our Verdict
For most Mac users in 2026, mitmproxy is the better choice for Network debugging because it is the more widely adopted, better-maintained option in the Network debugging space. Both install with a single Homebrew command, so the switching cost is low. Choose Proxyman instead if api support is your priority.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Proxyman | mitmproxy |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Open Source | No | No |
| Replaces | Charles ($50) | Charles Proxy ($50) |
| Best for | api, debugging, proxy | proxy, debugging, https |
| Install | brew install --cask proxyman | brew install --cask mitmproxy |
| Category | Developer Tools | Developer Tools |
Quick Install
brew install --cask proxymanbrew install --cask mitmproxyLearn More
In-Depth Overview
What is Proxyman?
Proxyman is a native macOS HTTP debugging proxy built by Proxyman LLC, designed to feel like a first-class Apple app. The Mac release tracks version 5.18.0 in mid-2026 (Changelog notes for 5.18.0-5.17.x), with a Swift/AppKit GUI, automatic CA certificate management, system proxy toggling, and device proxy so an iPhone on the same network routes through the Mac for iOS traffic inspection. Core workflows include intercepting HTTP/HTTPS traffic over a local proxy, viewing requests with formatted JSON, GraphQL, and image previews, editing with breakpoints, mapping local files or remote hosts, filtering by domain or content type, and scripting via JavaScript and header rules. Proxyman also ships companion apps for iOS and Windows, but the Mac app is the primary product. On macOS Tahoe 26.x it is notarised and Apple Silicon-native, with system extension helpers for VPN-like capture and clean integration with Xcode simulators. Pricing was simplified around the 5.0 era: Proxyman costs $69 for a single-device perpetual licence per major version, or $99 for two devices, both including updates within that major. There is a free tier that handles basic viewing but nags on advanced features. That one-time model contrasts with subscription proxies and is why Mac teams expense it per seat rather than budgeting monthly. The value proposition is time: installing the CA, trusting it in Keychain and on device, and seeing decrypted traffic happens in under a minute, while mitmproxy's equivalent requires openssl and manual trust configuration.
What is mitmproxy?
mitmproxy is the veteran free, open-source HTTPS proxy toolkit, written in Python and licensed under MIT, with a lineage back to 2011. In August 2026 it ships in the 11.x line (11.1.x current), distributed via pip, Homebrew, and Docker, and it provides three interfaces over the same core: mitmproxy (interactive TUI), mitmweb (browser-based UI on localhost:8081), and mitmdump (headless CLI for scripting and CI). Feature coverage is broad: intercept and modify HTTP/1, HTTP/2, and WebSockets, TLS interception with generated CA, Python scripting/addons that can programmatically rewrite requests, upstream proxy modes, and map-local patterns similar to Proxyman's. Documentation lives at docs.mitmproxy.org with thorough addon and API references. On macOS Tahoe 26.x, mitmproxy runs from Terminal or as a service; it is Apple Silicon-compatible via Python 3.x and Homebrew, and it pairs well with Docker and CI where Proxyman's GUI cannot run headless. Pricing is free forever: no paid tier, no analytics, community-maintained with transparent GitHub release cadence. The value proposition is control and automation: a Python addon can simulate latency, fault-inject APIs, or assert on traffic in automated tests, and mitmdump can record flows to HAR for offline diffing. The trade-off is UX friction, certificate trust is manual, the console UI is keyboard-driven, and there is no drag-and-drop local file mapping without writing an addon. For teams that live in Terminal and Python, that trade-off is welcome.
Detailed Feature Comparison
HTTPS interception on Mac
CriticalAutomatic CA install and system proxy toggle, per-domain SSL proxying, WebSocket and GraphQL viewers, and clean TLS decryption in the native GUI.
Full HTTPS/WebSocket/HTTP2 interception via generated CA, TUI and mitmweb viewers, and upstream proxy modes. Certificate trust is manual.
Verdict: Both decrypt HTTPS reliably; Proxyman automates what mitmproxy makes you configure.
GUI polish
HighNative macOS app with formatted JSON, image previews, diff, breakpoints, and map-local as menu actions. Built for Tahoe 26.x designers and mobile engineers.
TUI is keyboard-efficient and mitmweb covers browser viewing, but neither matches a native Mac GUI's drag-and-drop and preview depth.
Verdict: Proxyman is the most Mac-like HTTPS debugger.
Scripting and automation
HighJavaScript scripting, header rules, breakpoints, and local file mapping. Sufficient for manual QA but not CI pipelines.
Python addons with full API for rewriting flows, mitmdump headless mode, and HAR export for CI assertions and fuzzing.
Verdict: mitmproxy is the scriptable choice for automated testing.
iOS and device proxy
HighOne-click device proxy with QR code for iPhone/iPad, automatic CA install profile, and simulator bridging for Xcode builds.
Devices can manual-proxy to mitmproxy via IP and install CA, but flow is CLI-driven and more error-prone without a helper GUI.
Verdict: Proxyman owns the iOS debugging experience.
Pricing and licence
High$69 one-time per major version (single device) or $99 for 2 devices. Free limited tier available; licence is perpetual within that major.
Free and open source under MIT. No paid tier; community-maintained. Install via Homebrew or pip at $0.
Verdict: mitmproxy wins on price; Proxyman wins on per-seat convenience.
Performance and footprint
MediumNative binary with low overhead; efficient filtering so large traces remain scrollable on Apple Silicon.
Python core is efficient; large captures stream well, but TUI filtering is keyboard syntax rather than point-and-click filters.
Verdict: Proxyman is slightly lighter for interactive sessions.
macOS and Apple Silicon support
MediumNotarised native Mac app optimised for Apple Silicon and Tahoe 26.x, with system proxy helpers.
Runs via Python/Homebrew on Apple Silicon; no native app chrome, but fully compatible on Tahoe 26.x.
Verdict: Proxyman feels more at home on Mac.
CI and headless use
MediumDesktop app only. No official headless CLI for Linux CI; automation is manual GUI-anchored.
mitmdump runs headless on Linux/macOS/CI, scripts flows in Python, and integrates with pytest and Docker.
Verdict: CI pipelines choose mitmproxy.
Who Should Choose Which?
1iOS developer testing an API
Fastest CA + device proxy + breakpoint editing loop on Mac.
2QA engineer automating traffic asserts
mitmdump with Python addons in CI proves the fix, not just eyeballs it.
3Security researcher auditing HTTPS
Free, scriptable, and portable to Linux labs.
4Frontend developer mocking an API
Map-local and breakpoints replace backend responses without code.
5Student learning HTTP
Free MIT tool teaches proxy fundamentals at $0.
Migration Guide
Proxyman → Mitmproxy
Install mitmproxy via Homebrew, export and trust its CA manually, replace map-local rules with Python addons or mitmdump filters, and record flows to HAR.
Mitmproxy → Proxyman
Download Proxyman 5.18.x, allow it to install its CA via the helper, import rules as header/local mappings, and enable device proxy for iOS instead of manual IP configuration.
Pro Tips
Many Mac teams keep Proxyman for visual debugging and mitmproxy for CI. Configure each with the same upstream filters so results remain comparable.
Final Verdict
Depends on use case
Winner
Runner-up
Proxyman wins the Mac developer's daily driver, native GUI, automatic CA, polished viewers, and effortless iOS device proxy at $69/$99 per major in August 2026. mitmproxy wins the engineer's automation choice, free, MIT-licensed, and deeply scriptable with mitmdump for headless CI. The mature answer for macOS teams on Tahoe 26.x is often both: Proxyman by day for visual debugging, mitmproxy by night for automated traffic tests, sharing the same CA trust once so filtered views stay comparable.
Bottom Line: Visual iOS debugging on Mac → Proxyman. Scriptable CI automation → mitmproxy.
Video Tutorials
Proxyman Setup Guide for macOS & Android
Perfology • 8.2K views
How to capture HTTPS traffic from the iOS Simulator with Proxyman 📱
Vincent Pradeilles • 6.5K views
Demo Capture HTTPS from iPhone iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 with Proxyman
Proxyman Tutorial • 1.5K views
Proxyman - iOS Dev Tools Series
iOS Mastery • 18.4K views
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & References
Key Verified Facts
- Proxyman pricing is $69 for 1 device and $99 for 2 devices per major version with free limited tier.[cite-proxyman-pricing]
- Proxyman Mac release is tracked at 5.18.0 with changelog covering 5.17-5.18 in mid-2026.[cite-proxyman-changelog]
- Proxyman is a native macOS app for viewing HTTP/HTTPS requests and supports WebSocket and GraphQL inspection.[cite-proxyman-home]
- mitmproxy is free and open source under MIT with mitmproxy, mitmweb, and mitmdump interfaces.[cite-mitmproxy-home, cite-mitmproxy-docs]
- 1Proxyman , Modern proxy debugging for Mac
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 2Proxyman , Pricing ($69/$99 per major)
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 3Proxyman , Changelog 5.18.0
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 4Proxyman docs , Getting started
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 5mitmproxy , A free and open source interactive HTTPS proxy
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 6mitmproxy , Documentation
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 7mitmproxy , GitHub releases (11.x)
Accessed Aug 9, 2026