These are known as the Ghost frogs. There is one genus, Heleophryne, with about six species. They are small to moderate sized frogs (30-65 mm). These frogs are found in rocky montane streams in South Africa; the tips of the fingers and toes are expanded. Synapomorphies of Heleophryne include the absence of keratinous beaks in larvae, although numerous rows of denticles are present.

The family Heleophrynidae is taxonomically redundant with the single genus Heleophryne. The name Heleophryne was defined by Ford and Cannatella (1993) to be the node-based name for the common ancestor of the living species of Heleophryne, and all its descendants. Synapomorphies of Heleophryne include the absence of keratinous beaks in larvae, although numerous rows of denticles are present. No fossils have been described.