Charles vs Burp Proxy : Which is Better?

Charles icon

Charles

Charles is an HTTP proxy / HTTP monitor / Reverse Proxy that enables a developer to view all of the HTTP and SSL / HTTPS traffic. Developed by Karl von Randow

License: Commercial

Apps available for Mac OS X Windows Linux

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Burp Proxy icon

Burp Proxy

Burp Proxy allows manual testers to intercept all requests and responses. Developed by PortSwigger Ltd.

License: Freemium

Apps available for Mac OS X Windows Linux

Charles VS Burp Proxy

Charles Proxy is a user-friendly tool primarily suited for API debugging and traffic analysis, making it ideal for developers. In contrast, Burp Proxy offers robust security testing features and active scanning capabilities, making it more suitable for penetration testers and security professionals.

Charles

Pros:

  • Easy to use interface
  • Excellent for debugging REST APIs
  • Supports various platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux)
  • Good WebSocket support
  • Strong documentation and tutorials
  • Customizable with plugins
  • Affordable licensing options
  • No active scanning, making it safer for certain tasks
  • Session handling capabilities
  • Traffic visualization tools

Cons:

  • Limited active security scanning features
  • Not as powerful for penetration testing
  • Can be slower with large data sets
  • Less robust API testing compared to Burp
  • Limited built-in reporting features

Burp Proxy

Pros:

  • Powerful security testing features
  • Active scanning capability for vulnerabilities
  • Advanced scripting capabilities
  • Strong community support
  • Extensive plugin ecosystem
  • Excellent for both web and mobile applications
  • Detailed reporting features
  • Customizable user interface
  • Built-in tools for performance analysis
  • Comprehensive documentation

Cons:

  • More complex interface
  • Higher cost for professional version
  • Can be overkill for simple tasks
  • Steeper learning curve for beginners
  • Resource-intensive, may slow down on lower-end machines

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