How does Trace compare?
An honest look at Trace alongside Charles Proxy and Proxyman—features, trade-offs, and when each tool makes sense.
- Trace price
- Free
- License
- MIT
- Charles price
- $50
- Proxyman price
- Free/$99
Feature comparison
| Feature | Trace | Charles | Proxyman |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | iOS/iPadOS | macOS/Windows/Linux | macOS/iOS |
| On-device capture | |||
| Requires desktop app | Optional | ||
| TLS MITM | |||
| WebSocket support | |||
| Request modification | |||
| HAR export | |||
| PCAP export | |||
| Scripting | JavaScript | Java | Python/JS |
| Privacy | On-device | Local | Local/Cloud |
| Open source | |||
| Pricing | Free | $50 | Free/$99 |
| macOS features | |||
| Works with VPNs | Varies |
* Feature details and pricing accurate as of January 2026. Check official websites for latest information.
Key differences
On-device vs desktop tools
Trace
Runs entirely on your iOS device. No desktop app required. Perfect for debugging on-the-go or when you don't have access to a computer.
Charles / Proxyman
Charles and Proxyman are desktop-first with powerful features like advanced filtering, batch operations, and integration with development workflows. Proxyman also offers an iOS app.
When to choose
Use Trace for mobile-only debugging. Use Charles/Proxyman when you need desktop features or cross-platform support.
Open source vs proprietary
Trace
Fully open source (MIT license). Audit the code, verify security claims, contribute features, or fork for custom needs.
Charles / Proxyman
Charles and Proxyman are proprietary software with commercial support, regular updates, and mature feature sets built over many years.
When to choose
Use Trace if transparency and customization matter. Use Charles/Proxyman for established enterprise support.
Privacy architecture
Trace
All processing happens on-device. Zero telemetry, no cloud services, no analytics. Data never leaves your device.
Charles / Proxyman
Charles uses local-only processing. Proxyman offers both local and optional cloud features for team collaboration.
When to choose
All three keep data local by default. Trace makes privacy violations architecturally impossible.
Feature maturity
Trace
Newer tool (launched 2026) with core features stable but still building advanced capabilities. Active development and community contributions.
Charles / Proxyman
Charles (2002) is an industry standard with extensive features and plugins. Proxyman (2018) offers a modern UI and active development with a good balance of maturity.
When to choose
Use Trace for a nimble, open-source-first workflow. Use Charles/Proxyman for enterprise-grade maturity.
When to use each tool
Choose Trace when
Choose Charles when
Choose Proxyman when
Ready to try Trace?
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