Choose APXY when your debugging workflow needs to run on Linux, inside CI, headlessly, or alongside AI coding agents — not just on a Mac desktop.
Choose Proxyman if you want a polished native GUI on macOS, Windows, or Linux, frequently debug iOS or Android devices, and are comfortable with the GUI always running. Choose APXY if you need a CLI-first workflow, headless operation in CI or Docker, or AI agent support that works without a desktop.
Proxyman is a well-designed native GUI proxy that now runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux, with strong iOS and Android device support and a growing MCP-based AI integration story. APXY takes a different angle: CLI-first, headless-capable, and built to run anywhere including Docker, CI pipelines, and SSH sessions — producing structured traffic evidence that AI coding agents can act on without a running desktop. If you want a polished GUI and keep the proxy on your local machine, Proxyman is a serious option. If your workflow includes servers, CI, or agent loops that run without a desktop, APXY is the stronger fit.
Best for Proxyman
Native GUI (macOS, Windows, Linux) + iOS/Android
Best for APXY
CLI-first + headless CI + agent workflows
Biggest difference
GUI-required vs headless-first design
This is the fastest way to understand the tradeoff. The competitor still has real strengths, but APXY pulls ahead when the debugging workflow needs to be reusable, shareable, and easier to operationalize across a team.
| Criterion | APXY | Proxyman | Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform support | macOS, Linux, and Windows — same CLI workflow across all. | macOS, Windows, and Linux — all as native desktop GUI apps. Headless or server-side operation is not supported on any platform. | APXY edge |
| Headless / CI operation | Runs headlessly in Docker, GitHub Actions, and SSH sessions with no GUI required. | Requires a desktop GUI environment on macOS, Windows, or Linux. Not supported in Docker, GitHub Actions, or SSH sessions. | APXY edge |
| Native desktop UI | Web UI is clean and functional, accessed in the browser on any platform. | Excellent native GUI app on macOS, Windows, and Linux — a genuine differentiator for teams that prefer a desktop experience. | Competitor edge |
| iOS and Android debugging | Supports SSL interception for general device traffic via proxy config. | First-class iOS and Android device support — a strong advantage for mobile teams. | Competitor edge |
| AI coding agent support | TOON format returns compact, structured traffic data agents can reason over directly — works headlessly in CI and without any GUI. | MCP server (since Feb 2026) lets Claude Code and Cursor query traffic, create rules, and export HAR directly — but only while the GUI app is running. | Depends |
| Request replay and diff | Core part of the workflow: replay a request after a fix and diff the before/after. | Less central — the workflow is oriented around manual inspection rather than validation. | APXY edge |
| Pricing | Free tier available. Pro is $59 one-time per device. No subscription required. | Standard is $89 one-time per device (1 year of updates, perpetual). Team subscription also available at $12/seat/month. | APXY edge |
| CLI scripting | CLI-first with full scriptable commands for capture, filter, mock, replay, and export. | JavaScript scripting inside the GUI app, but not a CLI-first product. | APXY edge |
Proxyman earned its reputation on macOS and has since expanded to Windows and Linux. The app is well-crafted across all three platforms, the iOS and Android device interception setup is straightforward, and the MCP server integration with Claude Code and Cursor is genuinely impressive — it lets AI tools query, filter, and manipulate captured traffic while the GUI is open.
If your team prefers working in a polished native desktop application and your debugging stays on a developer machine, Proxyman is a serious product that deserves consideration. It would be misleading to say APXY beats it on every dimension — for that desktop GUI use case, Proxyman is purpose-built and it shows.
Proxyman now runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux — but always as a desktop GUI application. The moment your debugging workflow needs to run headlessly inside a Docker container, in GitHub Actions, or in an SSH session, Proxyman's GUI requirement becomes a hard blocker. APXY was designed from the start to work without any graphical environment, running the same CLI and Web UI workflow whether the developer is at a desktop or inside a CI pipeline.
Proxyman's MCP server is a real development — AI tools like Claude Code can query and manipulate traffic while the GUI is open. But APXY's structured TOON output works headlessly and in CI without any running desktop process. For engineering teams building automated debugging loops or running agents in server environments, that architectural difference is decisive.
Beyond platform reach, APXY also covers the post-capture debugging loop more completely. Replaying a request after a fix, diffing the before and after response, and exporting structured artifacts for code review or team handoff are first-class features in APXY. In Proxyman, the workflow ends closer to inspection.
On pricing, APXY's $59 one-time Pro license is cheaper than Proxyman's $89 one-time Standard license — $30 less per seat. Both are perpetual licenses with one year of updates. Proxyman also offers a team subscription at $12/seat/month for cloud collaboration, while APXY keeps pricing simpler with a single one-time purchase model.
Yes — both tools run on macOS, Windows, and Linux. The key difference is how: Proxyman is a native desktop GUI app that requires a graphical environment on each platform. APXY uses a CLI and browser-based Web UI, which means the same workflow runs identically whether you are at a desktop, inside Docker, or in a CI pipeline.
APXY supports SSL interception via a local proxy configuration, which can capture iOS device traffic when the device is configured to route through the proxy. Proxyman has a more streamlined iOS and Android setup experience, so it remains stronger for teams whose primary use case is mobile device debugging.
APXY is CLI-first and works headlessly in CI, Docker, and SSH — Proxyman requires a running desktop GUI on every platform. APXY's agent output works without any GUI; Proxyman's MCP server requires the GUI to be open. APXY Pro is also $30 cheaper per seat ($59 vs $89 one-time).
Yes. APXY has a permanent free tier with no account or credit card required — 200 traffic records, 3 active mock rules, and core CLI commands. You can evaluate it fully before deciding to upgrade.
APXY Pro is a $59 one-time license per device with one year of updates. Proxyman Standard is $89 one-time per device — $30 more. Both are perpetual licenses. Proxyman also offers a team subscription at $12/seat/month for cloud collaboration features. APXY is the better value for individual developers and small teams.
APXY Pro unlocks the full network debugging loop for you and your AI coding agents. Install free in seconds, upgrade once when it earns its keep.