DevTools is a set of powerful browser developer tools built into Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge covering JavaScript application development, HTML and CSS inspection, performance profiling and network debugging.
HttpWatch is a network-focused debugger for Chrome and Edge that simplifies the diagnosis of web and network related issues for developers, in-house users or customers. It focuses on network requests, HTTP headers, cookies, response content, request timing and saved log files, so teams can troubleshoot browser traffic without keeping Chrome DevTools or Microsoft Edge DevTools open.
Why Choose HttpWatch as your DevTools Alternative?
| DevTools |  HttpWatch |
|---|---|
| The basics | |
Built into Chrome and Edge |
Works with Edge and Chrome |
Available on any platform supporting Chrome/Edge |
Windows only |
Complex set of tools covering JavaScript, HTML, CSS, profiling, networking, etc.. |
Network focused |
Displays headers, cookies, content and timings |
Displays headers, cookies, content and timings |
| Finding your way around | |
Log is either clear on each page load or the requests from every page are kept in an unstructured list |
Groups requests by page to simplify debugging of multi-page scenarios |
Selecting a request to display headers, etc hides all other data columns including time chart |
The split display in HttpWatch allows the details of a request (e.g. headers, timing, cookies, etc) to be viewed while still keeping the main request grid and time chart visible |
Limited range of data columns available |
Supports a comprehensive set of data columns including any cookie or header value |
No built-in info tips |
Info tips quickly explain headers and other types of data |
No summaries provided |
Summaries are available at the page level, complete log file or a selection of requests |
A separate analysis tool must be run to gain performance insights |
Displays warnings where performance and security could be improved within network log |
| Saving and sharing logs | |
Console output is displayed but not saved in log files |
Records and saves output from browser console (Chrome/Edge) |
Submitted passwords are recorded and saved to log files |
Automatically masks password fields to stop them being recorded |
Only supports HAR file format |
Can save to HWL, HAR, CSV or XML files |
DevTools must be opened in the browser before importing a HAR file |
Log files (HAR & HWL) can be quickly loaded and displayed in HttpWatch Studio |
No automatic recording function is provided |
Can be configured to automatically record and save log files in every browser window and tab |
| Automation and help | |
Does not have a simple programmatic API |
Simple and easy to automate using almost any programming language through an automation API |
Web based documentation only |
Built-in context sensitive help |
| Price | |
Free |
Perpetual license for HttpWatch Professional from $ 625 per userIncludes support by email and forum. Customers and in-house users can send you HWL files using the free Basic Edition |
Strength Missing or harder Difference to be aware of
Evaluating HttpWatch
The Basic Edition of HttpWatch is available for free and lets you evaluate the network debugging workflow in Chrome and Edge, including requests, responses, headers, cookies, timings and saved log files. Check the current edition details before deployment to confirm which sites or usage limits apply.
Got questions about HttpWatch or how it is licensed? Please email us at sales@neumetrix.com