ZProxy review
A free desktop proxy for inspecting traffic, with no request or response editing.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
ZProxy is a free, open-source desktop application that runs a local HTTP/HTTPS forward proxy. Developers route browsers, apps, command-line tools, or mobile devices through it to inspect outbound traffic. Its Windows and Linux support makes it a fit for solo developers and small teams who want to examine client-to-internet requests without paying for a proxy tool.
Inspection is the product’s center of gravity: it can intercept HTTPS using a locally generated root CA and display request and response headers and bodies, status codes, duration, and TLS version. Filters by method, status range, or host and substring search help narrow captured traffic; JSON syntax highlighting and cURL export add useful ways to review or reuse requests. Mobile app traffic can also be captured by configuring the device’s Wi-Fi proxy. The trade-off is that ZProxy does not edit requests or responses, so developers who need interactive request manipulation should look elsewhere.
Platform setup differs: Windows has documented CA installation support, while Linux CA installation requires manual steps, an extra consideration when enabling HTTPS interception. The repository lists no releases, so teams that depend on published release packages or a documented release history may prefer an alternative. Choose ZProxy for free traffic capture and inspection on Windows or Linux; do not choose it if editing traffic is central to your debugging workflow or you need a simpler Linux CA setup.
ZProxy pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Captures and decrypts HTTP/HTTPS traffic with a locally generated root CA
- Filters by method, status range, or host, and searches URLs by substring
- Shows request and response details, with JSON formatting and cURL export
- Where it doesn't
- Does not support request or response editing
- Linux CA installation requires manual steps
- No repository releases are listed
ZProxy fact sheet, pricing and score →
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