Pulse
Pulse is a native Swift logging framework for Apple platforms that captures URLSession network requests and application logs directly within iOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, and visionOS apps. It stores logs locally on the device, provides an in-app debug console built with SwiftUI, and allows teams to inspect and share logs without using a network proxy.
Key facts
Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | kean/Pulse |
| Owner | kean |
| Primary language | Swift |
| License | MIT — OSI-approved |
| Stars | 7.1k |
| Forks | 367 |
| Open issues | 43 |
| Latest release | 5.2.3 (2026-06-10) |
| Last updated | 2026-06-10 |
| Source | https://github.com/kean/Pulse |
What Pulse is
Pulse is a Swift framework that intercepts URLSession traffic and application events, storing them in a local database. It integrates with SwiftLog for structured logging and provides PulseUI components for in-app inspection; logs can be exported or viewed in real-time via the companion Pulse Pro macOS application using remote logging.
Get the Pulse source
Clone the repository and explore it locally.
git clone https://github.com/kean/Pulse.gitcd Pulse# follow the project's README for install & configurationNeed it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.
Best use cases
Implementation considerations
- Pulse requires Swift 5.10 and Xcode 15.4 or later for Pulse 5.0; ensure team infrastructure and CI/CD pipelines support this baseline.
- Integration can be minimal (add framework to URLSession) or deeper (embed PulseUI console in your app); choose integration depth based on QA and debugging needs.
- Local log storage uses device disk; consider storage policies and cleanup strategies, especially for long-running builds or production-adjacent scenarios.
- Remote logging via Pulse Pro requires additional setup and may introduce latency; evaluate whether real-time log monitoring justifies the complexity for your use case.
- SwiftLog backend integration is optional; only adopt if you are already using Apple's structured logging ecosystem.
When to avoid it — and what to weigh
- Need cross-platform logging — Pulse is Apple-platform–specific (iOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, visionOS). Not suitable for Android, web, or server-side logging.
- Require centralized production analytics — Pulse is designed for local, on-device logging and does not replace centralized analytics or APM platforms; logs are stored locally and do not automatically sync to a backend.
- Network proxy functionality is mandatory — Pulse explicitly does not function as a network proxy. If you need to intercept traffic at the system level, use a dedicated proxy tool like Proxyman instead.
- Supporting older Apple OS versions — Latest Pulse (5.0+) requires iOS 15+, tvOS 15+, watchOS 8+, macOS 12+, visionOS 1+. Older deployment targets are not supported by current releases.
License & commercial use
Pulse is released under the MIT License, a permissive, OSI-approved open-source license that permits use, modification, and distribution in commercial and non-commercial projects, provided the original license notice is retained.
MIT License permits commercial use without restriction. However, the companion Pulse Pro macOS app is a separate product with its own commercial terms (not documented in provided data); confirm licensing for Pulse Pro if you plan to use remote logging in production or team workflows. The open-source Pulse framework itself has no commercial restrictions.
DEV.co evaluation signals
Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.
| Signal | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | Active |
| Documentation | Strong |
| License clarity | Clear |
| Deployment complexity | Low |
| DEV.co fit | Good |
| Assessment confidence | High |
Logs are stored locally on the device and do not automatically sync to external servers (unless remote logging is configured). Local storage should be protected with standard iOS app sandboxing and file-level protections. Logs may contain sensitive data (API keys, tokens, PII in requests/responses); implement log filtering or retention policies appropriate for your threat model. Pulse Pro remote logging requires secure transport (assess based on not-provided Pulse Pro documentation).
Alternatives to consider
Proxyman
Full-featured network proxy tool for Apple platforms with traffic interception and inspection; use if you need system-level network proxy capabilities that Pulse does not provide.
Charles Proxy
Cross-platform HTTP proxy and debugger; suitable for detailed network inspection and recording, but more heavyweight and requires proxy configuration on device.
Apple Console (macOS) + Console.app (iOS)
Native Apple logging tools; free and built-in, but less user-friendly and lack the in-app integration and export features Pulse provides.
Build on Pulse with DEV.co software developers
Pulse is ideal for teams needing in-app debugging and QA log inspection on Apple devices. Review the Getting Started guide and GitHub repo to assess fit for your workflow.
Talk to DEV.coRelated on DEV.co
Explore the category and the services that help you build with it.
Pulse FAQ
Does Pulse work with frameworks other than URLSession?
Can I use Pulse in production apps?
Is Pulse Pro required to use the framework?
What are the minimum iOS/macOS versions?
Custom software development services
DEV.co is a software development agency delivering custom software development services to companies building on open source. Our software developers and web developers design, integrate, and ship production systems — spanning web development, APIs, AI, data, and cloud. If Pulse is part of your open-source observability roadmap, our team can implement, customize, migrate, and maintain it.
Evaluate Pulse for Your Apple Platform Project
Pulse is ideal for teams needing in-app debugging and QA log inspection on Apple devices. Review the Getting Started guide and GitHub repo to assess fit for your workflow.