Compare
HookSense vs Smee.io: Webhook inspector vs forwarding proxy
Smee.io is a free, open-source proxy that forwards webhooks to localhost — popular in the GitHub/Probot ecosystem. It keeps no history and has no inspector UI. HookSense forwards to localhost too, and adds a searchable, replayable history with HMAC verification.
Last updated: June 2026
Feature Comparison
| Feature | HookSense | Smee.io |
|---|---|---|
| Forward to localhost | CLI | Core feature |
| Stored history | 14-90 days | |
| Inspector UI | ||
| Request replay | ||
| HMAC verification | ||
| Search & filter | ||
| Real-time updates | WebSocket | Event stream |
| Permanent shareable URL | Throwaway channel | |
| No signup required | ||
| Open source |
Pricing Comparison
| Tier | HookSense | Smee.io |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 (permanent URL, 14-day history) | $0 (no history) |
| Pro | $19/mo (Hook) | — |
| Advanced | $49/mo (Sense) | — |
Why Choose HookSense
- Forwards to localhost like smee, but every request is stored and reviewable
- Full inspector UI instead of raw payloads in your terminal
- One-click replay to retest your handler without re-triggering events
- Automatic HMAC signature verification for Stripe, GitHub, Shopify
- Full-text search across captured headers and bodies
- A stable, shareable endpoint URL — not a throwaway channel
Frequently asked
- Does HookSense forward to localhost like Smee.io?
- Yes. Run `npx hooksense listen -p 3000` to forward captured webhooks to your local server over an outbound connection — the same core job as the smee client — but on top of a stored, searchable, replayable history.
- What does HookSense have that Smee.io doesn't?
- Persistence (smee stores nothing), a full inspector UI, one-click replay, HMAC signature verification, full-text search, and a permanent shareable URL. Smee is a lightweight forwarding proxy; HookSense is a complete inspector that also forwards.
- Is Smee.io still a good choice for anything?
- Yes — for quick, throwaway local forwarding where you don't care about history, smee is simple and free. HookSense is the better default when you want to review past requests, replay them, or verify signatures.