Wireshark alternatives: 3 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 29, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Wireshark: dense interface with a real learning curve, and live capture needs extra drivers or elevated permissions. We ranked 3 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Wireshark, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. mitmproxy currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#	App	Pricing	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	mitmproxy	Open source	Yes	Windows, macOS, Linux	4 of 4	61.8
2	Proxyman	Free plan + paid	No	macOS, Windows, Linux +2	4 of 4	61.8
3	Charles Proxy	Paid	No	Windows, macOS, Linux	4 of 4	59.4

1. mitmproxyTop pick
Best for: Developers and security testers who want a scriptable, free HTTPS proxy
Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux
61.8
score / 100
Why switch from Wireshark
Focused on HTTP and HTTPS, letting you intercept and change requests rather than just view packets.
Pros
Free and MIT-licensed
Python add-on API for automating rewrites and mocks
Supports HTTP/2, HTTP/3 and WebSockets
Terminal, web and headless modes
Cons
Less polished GUI than commercial proxies
Installing the CA certificate on devices is manual
Terminal-first workflow has a learning curve
Visit mitmproxy Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.377
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is mitmproxy a good Wireshark alternative?
Verified facts
4 of 4 verified
License
MIT
Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
Protocols
HTTP/1, HTTP/2, HTTP/3, WebSockets
Checked Oct 29, 2026mitmproxy.org(opens source in a new tab)
Web interface
mitmweb
Checked Oct 29, 2026mitmproxy.org(opens source in a new tab)
Scripting
Python add-ons via mitmdump
Checked Oct 29, 2026mitmproxy.org(opens source in a new tab)
2. Proxyman
Best for: Mobile and web developers who want a modern, native GUI for HTTP debugging
Free plan + paidmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
61.8
score / 100
Why switch from Wireshark
Native Mac app for inspecting HTTP(S) traffic from apps and devices, much simpler to learn.
Pros
Native, fast interface on macOS
One-click capture from iOS Simulator and Android emulator
One license covers macOS, Windows and Linux
Perpetual license option
Cons
Free version allows only one debugging rule
Closed source
Mobile apps only included with higher tiers
Visit Proxyman Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.377
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Proxyman a good Wireshark alternative?
Verified facts
4 of 4 verified
Standard license
$89 for 1 seat
Checked Oct 29, 2026proxyman.com(opens source in a new tab)
Licensing
Perpetual, 1 year of updates
Checked Oct 29, 2026proxyman.com(opens source in a new tab)
Platforms
macOS, Windows, Linux (one license)
Checked Oct 29, 2026proxyman.com(opens source in a new tab)
Team subscription
$12 per seat/month, billed yearly
Checked Oct 29, 2026proxyman.com(opens source in a new tab)
3. Charles Proxy
Best for: Developers and QA testers who want a proven GUI proxy at a low one-time price
PaidWindows, macOS, Linux
59.4
score / 100
Why switch from Wireshark
GUI web debugging proxy that is easier for inspecting app and website HTTP traffic.
Pros
Low one-time per-user price
Breakpoints, rewrites and bandwidth throttling built in
Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, including Arm
Large body of tutorials from years of use
Cons
Interface feels dated compared with newer tools
No free tier after the 30-day trial
License only covers the current major version
Visit Charles Proxy Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.369
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Charles Proxy a good Wireshark alternative?
Verified facts
4 of 4 verified
Price
USD $50 per user license
Checked Oct 29, 2026charlesproxy.com(opens source in a new tab)
Free trial
30 days
Checked Oct 29, 2026charlesproxy.com(opens source in a new tab)
Platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux
Checked Oct 29, 2026charlesproxy.com(opens source in a new tab)
Upgrades
License covers current major version
Checked Oct 29, 2026charlesproxy.com(opens source in a new tab)