ModHeader
Popular and long‑standing header editor. Broad usage across dev teams. Some users report ads or telemetry; the UI can feel heavier for simple header tweaks.
See also: VibeHeader as a ModHeader alternative · ModHeader privacy · Injected ads
ModHeader Alternatives & Competitors (2025)
A practical comparison of popular header tools — where they fit, and when a focused, ad‑free editor is better.
Table of contents
Quick summary
- VibeHeader: Lightweight, ad‑free, MV3‑native header editor. Streamlined workflows, quick toggle, and one‑click share/import via
/s#c=fragment. Privacy‑first (no telemetry). - ModHeader: Well‑known header tool with broad adoption. Some users report ads/telemetry concerns; heavier footprint.
- Requestly: Powerful rule engine (redirects, scripts, mocks). Great for complex workflows, heavier for simple header tweaks.
- Header Editor (ext): Open‑source style rules for headers/redirect/cancel. Flexible but less focused UI for quick header‑only tasks.
- Proxies (Charles/Fiddler/Proxyman): System‑wide capture and rewrite across apps. Excellent for QA; overkill for simple in‑browser header edits.
Quick comparison
| Dimension | VibeHeader | ModHeader | Requestly | Header Editor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Headers, sharing workflows | Headers | Headers, redirects, mocks, scripts | Headers + general rules |
| Ads / tracking | No ads, no tracking | Users report ads; see vendor policy | See vendor policy | See vendor policy |
| Sharing | URL fragment on /s | Profile export/import | Workspace/shared rules | Import/export |
| MV3 | MV3‑native | Supported | Supported | Varies |
| Best for | Fast, privacy‑first header workflows | General header editing | Complex, multi‑rule workflows | Power‑user rule configs |
Feature highlights
- 🧩 Header editing (request): VibeHeader, ModHeader, Requestly, Header Editor
- 🗂️ Focused workflows: VibeHeader, ModHeader, Requestly, Header Editor
- 🔁 Redirect/mock/script: Requestly, Header Editor (redirect/cancel), Proxies
- 📤 Share/import link: VibeHeader (
/s#c=fragment; no server) - 🧭 MV3 support: VibeHeader (native), others vary by version/edition
- 🧹 Ad‑free + privacy‑first: VibeHeader by design
Note: Capabilities evolve by version/edition; this page focuses on common usage patterns rather than exhaustive vendor matrices.
Deep‑dive by category
1) Setup & onboarding
- VibeHeader: Install and start editing request headers immediately. Clean defaults; no account required.
- ModHeader: Quick to start; long‑time users may carry over habits/configs.
- Requestly: Broader product surface; onboarding can include more features than header‑only users need.
- Header Editor: Flexible rule schema; requires comfort with rule concepts.
- Proxies: System certificates and routing setup; steeper learning curve.
2) Core header editing
- VibeHeader: Focus on request headers with fast edits and streamlined workflows. Quick enable/disable per rule set.
- ModHeader: Mature header editing feature set with profiles.
- Requestly: Headers as one rule type within a larger rule engine.
- Header Editor: Rules cover add/modify/remove; also redirect/cancel options.
3) Rule scoping & matching
- VibeHeader: Streamlined workflow design; keep rules organized and easy to manage.
- Others: Support host/path/regex varies by tool; pick based on your team’s comfort.
4) Collaboration & sharing
- VibeHeader: Share configs as a link using
/s#c=fragment payload. The share page previews values and masks common secrets. Nothing posts to servers. - Requestly: Collaboration features exist as part of a broader platform; suitable for teams with multi‑rule workflows.
- Other extensions: Export/import methods vary; some rely on file exports or profiles.
5) Privacy & security
- VibeHeader: Privacy‑first. No telemetry or injected ads. Share/import via URL fragment to avoid server logs; masks sensitive keys on preview.
- Others: Review each product’s privacy policy and permissions. Browser store listings typically show requested permissions.
6) Performance & footprint
- VibeHeader: Lightweight MV3 architecture; fast toggle to avoid overhead when not needed.
- Requestly/ModHeader/Header Editor: Performance varies with active rules and features enabled.
- Proxies: Run outside the browser; can add system‑level overhead but broad visibility.
7) Platforms & compatibility
- VibeHeader: Chromium‑based browsers first (Chrome, Edge). MV3‑native.
- Others: Check each extension’s listing for browser/version support; proxy tools are desktop apps.
8) Pricing & licensing
- Extensions: Many core header features are free across tools; advanced collaboration or cloud features may be paid depending on vendor.
- Proxies: Typically commercial with trials; great for QA teams that need cross‑app coverage.
Always confirm current browser support, features, and pricing on the vendor’s official pages; the above is a practical overview for common workflows.
Who should pick what?
- Choose VibeHeader if you want a fast, focused header editor with minimal footprint, clean UI, ad‑free privacy, and one‑click share/apply for teams.
- Choose Requestly if you need a broader rule engine (redirects, mocks, scripts) and don’t mind extra weight or account‑centric flows.
- Choose Header Editor if you prefer flexible, OSS‑style rule definitions and are comfortable with a more generalist UI.
- Choose a proxy (Charles/Fiddler/Proxyman) if you must capture/modify traffic outside the browser or across devices.
Migration from ModHeader
Migrate in minutes with a straightforward workflow. For most teams, common request‑header rules map 1‑to‑1.
- List your active rules in ModHeader (domain matchers and header names/values).
- Install VibeHeader via Chrome or Edge.
- Recreate rules using VibeHeader's focused UI. Keep workflows organized.
- Share a config link for teammates: use the in‑extension Share action to generate a
/s#c=link. - Import with one click: open the link, preview masked values, and apply.
Tip: If you keep separate profiles in ModHeader, organize separate header sets or share links in VibeHeader to mirror those contexts.
Why teams switch to VibeHeader
- ⚡ Lightweight & fast: MV3‑native, minimal overhead; quick on/off toggle.
- 🔒 Privacy‑first: No telemetry, no injected ads; share/import via fragment to avoid server logs.
- 🎯 Focused UX: Header rules are front‑and‑center; workflows stay organized.
- 🔗 One‑click share/apply: Copy a link, preview on
/s, then import with a single click.
Competitors overview
Requestly
Full‑featured rules platform (headers, redirects, mocks, scripts). Great for complex flows, but heavier if you only need request header changes.
Header Editor (browser extension)
Flexible rules for headers plus redirect/cancel. Useful for power users; less specialized for quick header‑only edits.
Desktop proxies (Charles, Fiddler Everywhere, Proxyman)
Capture and rewrite traffic across apps and devices, not just in the browser. Ideal for QA and cross‑app debugging; more setup and usually paid.
FAQ
Can I export and version control configs?
With VibeHeader you can share a link that encodes your header map in the URL fragment. Teams often paste these links into docs or changelogs, or wrap them in short links. For file‑based workflows, copy the JSON from the share link and store it directly.
Does the share page send my data anywhere?
No. The /s page reads the fragment (#c=) only in the browser and does not post it to servers. The preview masks common sensitive keys like authorization, token, secret, and key.
Will my rules apply to all sites?
Use per‑site scopes to keep rules local. This avoids unintended header leakage across domains and keeps your browser safer and faster.
What if I also need redirects or mocks?
If you regularly need redirects, response mocks, or scripts, consider tools like Requestly or a desktop proxy. If headers are your primary need, a focused editor like VibeHeader keeps things faster and simpler.
Any tips to keep things secure?
Share links only with teammates you trust, avoid long‑lived secrets in URLs, and rotate values periodically. The fragment avoids server logs, but your browser history may still store the link.