Mock Dream vs Charles Proxy
HTTP proxy debugger · free Chrome alternative
Charles is a desktop HTTP proxy. You install a root cert, route browser traffic through it and rewrite responses.
Where Charles Proxy wins
System-wide capture, HTTPS decryption, mobile traffic, throttling.
Where Mock Dream wins
Mock Dream needs no proxy, no cert, no sudo — just install the extension and mock from the popup.
Side-by-side
| Feature | Charles Proxy | Mock Dream |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $50 per license | Free forever |
| Sign-up required | License key | Never |
| Runs a server | Yes — local proxy | No — runs in your tab |
| Mocks fetch + XHR | Both (network-level) | Both, from one rule |
| Per-rule CORS | Rewrite rules | One toggle |
| Live traffic console | Full proxy log | Built-in, filterable |
| Themes | 1 (default) | 6 manga themes |
| Install size | Java desktop app | <300 KB extension |
FAQ
- Is Mock Dream really a free Charles Proxy alternative?
- Yes. Mock Dream is MIT-licensed, has zero paid tier, no telemetry, and stores everything locally in
chrome.storage.local. - Can it replace Charles Proxy for my workflow?
- If your job is "intercept fetch/XHR in a browser tab and return mock JSON", yes. If you need system-wide capture, https decryption, mobile traffic, throttling., keep Charles Proxy — Mock Dream and Charles Proxy can coexist on the same machine.
- Does Mock Dream work on Edge, Brave, Opera or Arc?
- Yes — any Chromium browser running Manifest V3 (Chrome 116+).
Try Mock Dream — no install, no sign-up
popup runs the same engine as the extension