> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.requestly.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Desktop App vs Browser Extension

> Compare the Requestly Desktop App and Browser Extension to choose the right HTTP interception setup.

Requestly offers two ways to intercept and modify HTTP traffic. Use the right one for your workflow, or use both in combination.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Browser Extension" icon="browser" href="/http-interception/getting-started/quick-start-guide/browser-extension-setup">
    **Best for:** Intercepting and modifying traffic from inside the browser, fast setup, no configuration.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Desktop App" icon="desktop" href="/http-interception/getting-started/quick-start-guide/desktop-app-setup">
    **Best for:** System-wide traffic interception, desktop apps, mobile devices, simulators, terminal, Node.js.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Tip>
  **Can't decide?** Both experiences sync your rules through Team Workspaces, so you can use whichever suits your current task.
</Tip>

***

## Feature Comparison

### Platform Availability

| Feature                | Browser Extension                                 | Desktop App           |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- | --------------------- |
| **Supported Browsers** | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, Arc, Vivaldi, Opera | N/A                   |
| **Supported OS**       | Any OS with supported browser                     | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| **Installation**       | Install from browser store                        | Download installer    |
| **Launch Speed**       | Fast (in browser)                                 | Fast (standalone app) |

***

### Interception Scope

| Feature                              | Browser Extension | Desktop App |
| ------------------------------------ | ----------------- | ----------- |
| **Intercept browser traffic**        | ✅ Supported       | ✅ Supported |
| **Intercept desktop app traffic**    | ❌ Not supported   | ✅ Supported |
| **Intercept mobile devices**         | ❌ Not supported   | ✅ Supported |
| **Intercept iOS/Android simulators** | ❌ Not supported   | ✅ Supported |
| **Intercept Node.js apps**           | ❌ Not supported   | ✅ Supported |
| **Intercept terminal/CLI traffic**   | ❌ Not supported   | ✅ Supported |
| **System-wide proxy**                | ❌ Not supported   | ✅ Supported |

***

### HTTP Rules

| Feature                          | Browser Extension | Desktop App |
| -------------------------------- | ----------------- | ----------- |
| **Modify Headers**               | ✅ Supported       | ✅ Supported |
| **Modify Request/Response Body** | ✅ Supported       | ✅ Supported |
| **Modify Query Params**          | ✅ Supported       | ✅ Supported |
| **Redirect Rules**               | ✅ Supported       | ✅ Supported |
| **Replace Strings**              | ✅ Supported       | ✅ Supported |
| **Delay Requests**               | ✅ Supported       | ✅ Supported |
| **Cancel Requests**              | ✅ Supported       | ✅ Supported |
| **Insert Scripts**               | ✅ Supported       | ✅ Supported |
| **Map Local / Map Remote**       | ✅ Supported       | ✅ Supported |
| **Modify User Agent**            | ✅ Supported       | ✅ Supported |

***

### Network Inspection & Sessions

| Feature                     | Browser Extension | Desktop App |
| --------------------------- | ----------------- | ----------- |
| **Network Traffic Table**   | ✅ (via DevTools)  | ✅ Supported |
| **Session Recording**       | ✅ Supported       | ✅ Supported |
| **HAR File Import**         | ✅ Supported       | ✅ Supported |
| **Save logs to local file** | ❌ Not supported   | ✅ Supported |

***

### Collaboration & Workspaces

| Feature             | Browser Extension | Desktop App |
| ------------------- | ----------------- | ----------- |
| **Local Workspace** | ❌ Not available   | ✅ Supported |
| **Team Workspaces** | ✅ Supported       | ✅ Supported |

***

## Decision Guide

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Browser Extension">
    ### Choose the **Browser Extension** if you:

    * ✅ Only need to intercept traffic inside a browser
    * ✅ Want a zero-configuration setup
    * ✅ Debug web apps during frontend development
    * ✅ Work mostly with JSON/HTML responses in the browser

    <Card title="Set up the Browser Extension" icon="browser" href="/http-interception/getting-started/quick-start-guide/browser-extension-setup">
      Install and get started in under a minute
    </Card>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Desktop App">
    ### Choose the **Desktop App** if you:

    * ✅ Need to intercept traffic from mobile devices or simulators
    * ✅ Debug native desktop applications
    * ✅ Modify traffic from Node.js, terminal, or CLI tools
    * ✅ Require a local workspace for offline work
    * ✅ Want system-wide proxy control

    <Card title="Set up the Desktop App" icon="desktop" href="/http-interception/getting-started/quick-start-guide/desktop-app-setup">
      Download and configure the full-featured desktop application
    </Card>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Can I Use Both?

**Absolutely.** Many people use both:

* **Browser Extension** for quick in-browser debugging during frontend work
* **Desktop App** for mobile, native-app, and system-wide interception

Your rules sync across both when you use Team Workspaces, giving you flexibility to switch based on your current task.

***

## Need Help Choosing?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Getting started" href="/http-interception/getting-started/overview" icon="rocket">
    Choose a path and set up Requestly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Browser Extension setup" href="/http-interception/getting-started/quick-start-guide/browser-extension-setup" icon="browser">
    Install and configure the browser extension
  </Card>

  <Card title="Desktop App setup" href="/http-interception/getting-started/quick-start-guide/desktop-app-setup" icon="desktop">
    Install and configure the desktop app
  </Card>

  <Card title="Team Workspaces" href="/collaboration/workspaces" icon="users">
    Sync your work across platforms
  </Card>
</CardGroup>