# Free Alternative to Charles Proxy Published January 1, 2026 · Updated August 10, 2026 The best free alternative to Charles Proxy ($50) is mitmproxy. Install it with: `brew install --cask mitmproxy`. ## Best Free Alternative to Charles Proxy for Mac Charles Proxy has been the industry standard for web debugging since 2002, but its USD $50 license fee still puts it out of reach for students, indie developers, and anyone who just needs occasional traffic inspection. Charles 5 shipped on 12 March 2025; each license covers that major version line (5.X) with upgrades priced separately for the next major release. In August 2026 you no longer have a single free answer—you have a shortlist. mitmproxy 12.2.3 remains the deepest open-source HTTPS debugging suite, with terminal, mitmweb, and Python addon APIs. Proxyman 6.14.0 is the native Swift Mac app many iOS developers prefer; its free tier never expires but caps advanced Map Local and pinning rules. HTTP Toolkit automates Android certificate injection. Wireshark stays free for raw packet capture when HTTP proxies are the wrong tool. Reqable offers a free Freemium client-plus-proxy hybrid. Whether you are reverse-engineering mobile APIs, debugging authentication flows, or testing how your app handles slow connections, you can intercept, inspect, modify, and replay web traffic without paying Charles’s one-time fee—or you can keep Charles if one-click certificates and built-in throttling matter more than price. I have spent fifteen years debugging network traffic on macOS, from the early days of Wireshark to modern proxy tools. Charles remains reliable, but its Java-based interface looks dated on Apple Silicon and the $50 ask feels steep when free and freemium tools now cover the same core workflows. In this guide I break down how mitmproxy, Proxyman, HTTP Toolkit, Wireshark, and Reqable compare to Charles Proxy, what you gain and lose by switching, and how to migrate your debugging workflow without locking yourself into a single vendor. ## Free alternatives 1. [mitmproxy](https://bundl.run/apps/mitmproxy) — Interactive HTTPS proxy for debugging and testing `brew install --cask mitmproxy` ## Verdict If you need to debug HTTPS traffic without paying USD $50 for Charles 5.X, start with mitmproxy for unlimited open-source power or Proxyman free for Mac polish. HTTP Toolkit, Wireshark, and Reqable cover Android automation, raw packets, and client-plus-proxy workflows. Charles still wins on one-click certificates and built-in throttling—but most developers can migrate without renewing a license. ## FAQ ### is there a free version of charles proxy Charles Proxy does not offer a free version; it only provides a 30-day free trial that expires and requires a USD $50 license for Charles 5.X to continue using. Once the trial ends, the application stops working entirely. Unlike some software that continues with limited features, Charles becomes completely unusable after the trial period. If you need a free alternative for ongoing web debugging, mitmproxy is the strongest open-source replacement, with Proxyman and HTTP Toolkit offering usable free tiers for GUI-focused workflows. ### can mitmproxy completely replace charles proxy For most web and API debugging tasks, yes, mitmproxy can completely replace Charles Proxy. It handles the core functions—intercepting HTTPS traffic, inspecting request/response bodies, modifying headers, and replaying requests—with comparable reliability. However, Charles offers a few conveniences that mitmproxy lacks: simpler certificate installation, built-in bandwidth throttling to simulate slow connections, and a more polished graphical interface. If your workflow depends heavily on those specific features, you may find the transition challenging. For standard API debugging, mobile app inspection, and traffic analysis, mitmproxy is a fully capable substitute that many developers prefer even when cost is not a factor. ### how do i install mitmproxy on mac The easiest way to install mitmproxy on macOS is using Homebrew: run `brew install mitmproxy` in your terminal. This installs the complete suite including the terminal UI, web interface (mitmweb), and command-line tools—Homebrew currently provides 12.2.3. After installation, you can launch the web interface by running `mitmweb` which starts a local server accessible at http://localhost:8081. For first-time use, you must install the mitmproxy certificate authority on your Mac and any target devices to decrypt HTTPS traffic. The certificate files are located in ~/.mitmproxy/ after your first run. Homebrew also handles updates automatically when you run `brew upgrade`. ### does mitmproxy support ssl decryption like charles Yes, mitmproxy fully supports SSL/TLS decryption just like Charles Proxy. It acts as a man-in-the-middle by generating dynamic certificates for each intercepted domain, signed by its own certificate authority. To enable HTTPS inspection, you install the mitmproxy CA certificate on your Mac (and target devices like iPhones or Android phones). The process is slightly more manual than Charles—requiring you to open Keychain Access and explicitly trust the certificate—but once configured, it decrypts and displays HTTPS traffic with full content visibility. This includes API calls to services like Stripe, AWS, or any modern web application using TLS 1.3. The decryption is performed locally on your machine; no data is sent to external servers. ### what makes charles proxy worth paying for over mitmproxy Charles Proxy justifies its USD $50 price primarily through ease of use and specific developer conveniences. Its certificate installation is one-click simple, whereas mitmproxy requires manual certificate trust in macOS Keychain. Charles also includes built-in bandwidth throttling presets to simulate 3G, 4G, or slow Wi-Fi connections—useful for testing mobile app behavior under poor network conditions. The interface is more refined with better request filtering, clearer presentation of binary data, and smoother navigation between requests. For developers who value their time over $50, or those working in teams where setup friction matters, Charles may still be worth the cost. For individual developers or those building automated testing systems, mitmproxy's scripting capabilities often outweigh these conveniences—and Proxyman’s free tier covers many GUI workflows without the Charles fee. ### how do i migrate from charles proxy to mitmproxy Migrating from Charles to mitmproxy involves three steps: installing the tool, configuring certificates, and adjusting your workflow. First, install via Homebrew: `brew install mitmproxy`. Second, run `mitmweb` to start the web interface and generate the CA certificate in ~/.mitmproxy/. Install mitmproxy-ca-cert.pem in your Mac's Keychain Access and set it to Always Trust. On mobile test devices, visit mitm.it after configuring the proxy to install the certificate. Third, learn the new interface—flows appear in the web UI at localhost:8081, where you can click any request to inspect headers and bodies. Charles's 'Breakpoints' feature maps to mitmproxy's interception mode (press 'i' in the terminal UI or use the web toggle). For traffic filtering, use the search bar with expressions like 'request.host =~ example.com'. The scripting approach differs significantly: instead of Charles's limited scripting, you write Python addons using mitmproxy's addon API. ### does mitmproxy work with mobile apps like charles Yes, mitmproxy works excellently with mobile apps, including iOS and Android applications. The setup process mirrors Charles: configure your mobile device to use your Mac's IP address as an HTTP proxy on port 8080, then install the mitmproxy certificate on the device. For iOS, you download the certificate from mitm.it, install it in Settings > General > VPN & Device Management, and enable full trust in Settings > About > Certificate Trust Settings. For Android, the process varies by version but generally involves installing the certificate in Security settings—or use HTTP Toolkit if you want ADB automation. Once configured, mitmproxy captures all HTTP and HTTPS traffic from the mobile app, including API calls to backend servers. It handles certificate pinning bypassing for most apps, though some banking or high-security apps with advanced pinning may require additional tools like Frida. ### can i use mitmproxy for api testing and automation mitmproxy actually exceeds Charles Proxy for API testing and automation due to its powerful Python scripting API. While Charles offers basic repeat and edit functions, mitmproxy enables fully automated request modification, response mocking, and test scenario generation. You write Python addons that hook into request/response events, allowing you to programmatically alter headers, inject faults, simulate timeout conditions, or record traffic for regression testing. The mitmproxy scripting API integrates with pytest for automated test suites, and you can run headless proxy instances in CI/CD pipelines. For load testing, you can replay captured flows at scale. Charles's scripting is limited by comparison, primarily focused on simple request rewriting. If your goal extends beyond manual debugging into automated API testing, mitmproxy is the superior choice regardless of price. ### is mitmproxy safe and actively maintained in 2026 Yes, mitmproxy is both safe and actively maintained in 2026. The project is led by a core team with contributions from security researchers and developers worldwide. Version 12.2.3 is the current Homebrew cask release, with regular updates addressing security vulnerabilities and protocol changes. The code is open-source (MIT license) and audited by the security community. Because it runs locally on your machine and decrypts traffic using your own certificate authority, your data never leaves your network—unlike cloud-based debugging tools. The project has been in continuous development since 2010 and receives frequent updates for modern TLS versions, HTTP/2 support, and WebSocket handling. For security-conscious developers, the transparency of open-source code provides assurance that no backdoors or data harvesting exists, which cannot be verified with closed-source alternatives. ### what are the system requirements for mitmproxy on mac mitmproxy runs on modern macOS releases with full native support for Apple Silicon Macs (M1 through M4 and later). The Homebrew installation handles architecture automatically, providing optimized binaries for both Intel and ARM processors. Minimum requirements are minimal: approximately 100MB disk space and 512MB RAM, though actual usage depends on traffic volume. For debugging high-traffic applications or long-running captures, 4GB RAM is recommended. The web interface (mitmweb) requires a modern browser—Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge all work well. No additional dependencies are needed beyond what Homebrew installs. Unlike Charles, which requires a Java runtime, mitmproxy is self-contained with no external runtime dependencies, making it cleaner to install and remove. ### is proxyman free enough to replace charles For observation-heavy debugging, yes. Proxyman’s free tier never expires and covers core HTTPS interception, JSON viewing, and basic tools. You will feel the $50 Charles comparison when you need many Map Local rules or advanced scripting—those are gated. If your Charles license was mainly for seeing traffic and occasional edits, Proxyman free or mitmproxy will replace it. If you lived in Map Local and throttling presets all day, budget for Proxyman Pro or keep Charles. ## Sources - [Buy Charles Licenses — official pricing](https://www.charlesproxy.com/buy/) - [Charles Proxy features overview](https://www.charlesproxy.com/overview/features/) - [mitmproxy official site](https://mitmproxy.org/) - [Homebrew cask — mitmproxy](https://formulae.brew.sh/cask/mitmproxy) - [Proxyman — HTTP debugging proxy](https://proxyman.com/) - [HTTP Toolkit](https://httptoolkit.com/) - [Wireshark network protocol analyzer](https://www.wireshark.org/) - [Reqable official site](https://reqable.com/) ## Related - [mitmproxy vs Proxyman](https://bundl.run/compare/proxyman-vs-mitmproxy) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://bundl.run/#organization", "name": "Bundl.run", "url": "https://bundl.run", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://bundl.run/og-image.png", "width": 1200, "height": 630 }, "description": "The Ninite for Mac. 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Once the trial ends, the application stops working entirely. Unlike some software that continues with limited features, Charles becomes completely unusable after the trial period. If you need a free alternative for ongoing web debugging, mitmproxy is the strongest open-source replacement, with Proxyman and HTTP Toolkit offering usable free tiers for GUI-focused workflows." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "can mitmproxy completely replace charles proxy", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "For most web and API debugging tasks, yes, mitmproxy can completely replace Charles Proxy. It handles the core functions—intercepting HTTPS traffic, inspecting request/response bodies, modifying headers, and replaying requests—with comparable reliability. However, Charles offers a few conveniences that mitmproxy lacks: simpler certificate installation, built-in bandwidth throttling to simulate slow connections, and a more polished graphical interface. If your workflow depends heavily on those specific features, you may find the transition challenging. For standard API debugging, mobile app inspection, and traffic analysis, mitmproxy is a fully capable substitute that many developers prefer even when cost is not a factor." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "how do i install mitmproxy on mac", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The easiest way to install mitmproxy on macOS is using Homebrew: run `brew install mitmproxy` in your terminal. This installs the complete suite including the terminal UI, web interface (mitmweb), and command-line tools—Homebrew currently provides 12.2.3. After installation, you can launch the web interface by running `mitmweb` which starts a local server accessible at http://localhost:8081. For first-time use, you must install the mitmproxy certificate authority on your Mac and any target devices to decrypt HTTPS traffic. The certificate files are located in ~/.mitmproxy/ after your first run. Homebrew also handles updates automatically when you run `brew upgrade`." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "does mitmproxy support ssl decryption like charles", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, mitmproxy fully supports SSL/TLS decryption just like Charles Proxy. It acts as a man-in-the-middle by generating dynamic certificates for each intercepted domain, signed by its own certificate authority. To enable HTTPS inspection, you install the mitmproxy CA certificate on your Mac (and target devices like iPhones or Android phones). The process is slightly more manual than Charles—requiring you to open Keychain Access and explicitly trust the certificate—but once configured, it decrypts and displays HTTPS traffic with full content visibility. This includes API calls to services like Stripe, AWS, or any modern web application using TLS 1.3. The decryption is performed locally on your machine; no data is sent to external servers." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "what makes charles proxy worth paying for over mitmproxy", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Charles Proxy justifies its USD $50 price primarily through ease of use and specific developer conveniences. Its certificate installation is one-click simple, whereas mitmproxy requires manual certificate trust in macOS Keychain. Charles also includes built-in bandwidth throttling presets to simulate 3G, 4G, or slow Wi-Fi connections—useful for testing mobile app behavior under poor network conditions. The interface is more refined with better request filtering, clearer presentation of binary data, and smoother navigation between requests. For developers who value their time over $50, or those working in teams where setup friction matters, Charles may still be worth the cost. For individual developers or those building automated testing systems, mitmproxy's scripting capabilities often outweigh these conveniences—and Proxyman’s free tier covers many GUI workflows without the Charles fee." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "how do i migrate from charles proxy to mitmproxy", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Migrating from Charles to mitmproxy involves three steps: installing the tool, configuring certificates, and adjusting your workflow. First, install via Homebrew: `brew install mitmproxy`. Second, run `mitmweb` to start the web interface and generate the CA certificate in ~/.mitmproxy/. Install mitmproxy-ca-cert.pem in your Mac's Keychain Access and set it to Always Trust. On mobile test devices, visit mitm.it after configuring the proxy to install the certificate. Third, learn the new interface—flows appear in the web UI at localhost:8081, where you can click any request to inspect headers and bodies. Charles's 'Breakpoints' feature maps to mitmproxy's interception mode (press 'i' in the terminal UI or use the web toggle). For traffic filtering, use the search bar with expressions like 'request.host =~ example.com'. The scripting approach differs significantly: instead of Charles's limited scripting, you write Python addons using mitmproxy's addon API." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "does mitmproxy work with mobile apps like charles", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, mitmproxy works excellently with mobile apps, including iOS and Android applications. The setup process mirrors Charles: configure your mobile device to use your Mac's IP address as an HTTP proxy on port 8080, then install the mitmproxy certificate on the device. For iOS, you download the certificate from mitm.it, install it in Settings > General > VPN & Device Management, and enable full trust in Settings > About > Certificate Trust Settings. For Android, the process varies by version but generally involves installing the certificate in Security settings—or use HTTP Toolkit if you want ADB automation. Once configured, mitmproxy captures all HTTP and HTTPS traffic from the mobile app, including API calls to backend servers. It handles certificate pinning bypassing for most apps, though some banking or high-security apps with advanced pinning may require additional tools like Frida." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "can i use mitmproxy for api testing and automation", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "mitmproxy actually exceeds Charles Proxy for API testing and automation due to its powerful Python scripting API. While Charles offers basic repeat and edit functions, mitmproxy enables fully automated request modification, response mocking, and test scenario generation. You write Python addons that hook into request/response events, allowing you to programmatically alter headers, inject faults, simulate timeout conditions, or record traffic for regression testing. The mitmproxy scripting API integrates with pytest for automated test suites, and you can run headless proxy instances in CI/CD pipelines. For load testing, you can replay captured flows at scale. Charles's scripting is limited by comparison, primarily focused on simple request rewriting. If your goal extends beyond manual debugging into automated API testing, mitmproxy is the superior choice regardless of price." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "is mitmproxy safe and actively maintained in 2026", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, mitmproxy is both safe and actively maintained in 2026. The project is led by a core team with contributions from security researchers and developers worldwide. Version 12.2.3 is the current Homebrew cask release, with regular updates addressing security vulnerabilities and protocol changes. The code is open-source (MIT license) and audited by the security community. Because it runs locally on your machine and decrypts traffic using your own certificate authority, your data never leaves your network—unlike cloud-based debugging tools. The project has been in continuous development since 2010 and receives frequent updates for modern TLS versions, HTTP/2 support, and WebSocket handling. For security-conscious developers, the transparency of open-source code provides assurance that no backdoors or data harvesting exists, which cannot be verified with closed-source alternatives." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "what are the system requirements for mitmproxy on mac", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "mitmproxy runs on modern macOS releases with full native support for Apple Silicon Macs (M1 through M4 and later). The Homebrew installation handles architecture automatically, providing optimized binaries for both Intel and ARM processors. Minimum requirements are minimal: approximately 100MB disk space and 512MB RAM, though actual usage depends on traffic volume. For debugging high-traffic applications or long-running captures, 4GB RAM is recommended. The web interface (mitmweb) requires a modern browser—Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge all work well. No additional dependencies are needed beyond what Homebrew installs. Unlike Charles, which requires a Java runtime, mitmproxy is self-contained with no external runtime dependencies, making it cleaner to install and remove." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "is proxyman free enough to replace charles", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "For observation-heavy debugging, yes. Proxyman’s free tier never expires and covers core HTTPS interception, JSON viewing, and basic tools. You will feel the $50 Charles comparison when you need many Map Local rules or advanced scripting—those are gated. If your Charles license was mainly for seeing traffic and occasional edits, Proxyman free or mitmproxy will replace it. If you lived in Map Local and throttling presets all day, budget for Proxyman Pro or keep Charles." } } ], "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://bundl.run/free-alternative-to/charles-proxy" } } ] } ```