The Best Forward Proxy Software in 2026
We researched forward proxy software from official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables, and product documentation. Products are ranked on the category’s core job, value for money, and verified features, helping buyers compare controls, deployment models, and practical limits across forward proxy software.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
3proxy#1 of 249.4/10A broad-protocol, self-hosted proxy server for administrators who want granular traffic control.
Free plan
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Runner-up
Squid#2 of 249.1/10Free open-source proxy software with caching, access controls, and cache peering.
Free plan
-
Top-ranked free plan
mitmproxy#5 of 248.2/10A flexible toolkit for developers who need deep HTTP and WebSocket traffic control.
Free plan
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 24 tools, best first
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Best forFree, broad-protocol self-hosted proxying
A broad-protocol, self-hosted proxy server for administrators who want granular traffic control.
9.4/10★★★★★Visit 3proxy -
Best forFree caching and enterprise-style proxy control
Free open-source proxy software with caching, access controls, and cache peering.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Squid -
Best forLinux deployments needing inspection and controls
A Linux-only open-source proxy with inspection, filtering, chaining, and traffic controls.
- User authentication
- SSL inspection
- Web filtering
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit g3proxy -
Best forLightweight self-hosted HTTP proxying
A compact self-hosted proxy for administrators who need control without a hosted network.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Tinyproxy -
Best forDevelopers inspecting and replaying web traffic
A flexible toolkit for developers who need deep HTTP and WebSocket traffic control.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit mitmproxy -
Best forWindows teams needing managed proxy and firewall features
A Windows gateway combining managed proxies, firewall controls, policies and monitoring.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit WinGate -
Best forCaching-focused Linux and macOS proxy deployments
A self-hosted proxy for caching-focused Linux and macOS deployments.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forHybrid gateways needing strong identity integration
A hybrid forward proxy with deep filtering, identity controls, inspection, and reporting.
- User authentication
- SSL inspection
- Web filtering
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit SafeSquid -
Best forCloud web filtering with broad endpoint coverage
A cloud full proxy with filtering, inspection, malware scanning, and broad endpoint support.
- User authentication
- SSL inspection
- Web filtering
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Cisco -
Best forSecurity-heavy hybrid proxy deployments
A security-focused hybrid proxy with broad inspection, filtering, and Fortinet integrations.
- User authentication
- SSL inspection
- Web filtering
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Fortinet -
Best forEnterprise cloud SWG with broad security controls
A broad cloud SWG for enterprises needing centralized security controls.
- User authentication
- SSL inspection
- Web filtering
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Zscaler -
Best forLarge enterprises needing integrated SASE security
An enterprise SASE platform combining web, private-app, SaaS, and network security.
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Prisma Access -
Best forCloud proxy deployments with DLP and analytics
A broad cloud proxy for web filtering, inspection, DLP, and SaaS controls.
- User authentication
- SSL inspection
- Web filtering
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit Menlo Security -
Best forCloud filtering with device-aware policies
A cloud SWG for enterprises that need centralized filtering, inspection, and reporting.
- User authentication
- SSL inspection
- Web filtering
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit Cato -
Best forZero Trust web access across desktop and mobile
A broad Zero Trust SASE platform for protected web, private-app, SaaS, and mobile access.
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit Check Point -
Best forLow-cost cloud filtering with a free tier
A low-cost cloud gateway for DNS, network, and HTTP traffic filtering.
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit site -
Best forMicrosoft-centric identity-aware web filtering
A cloud secure web gateway for Microsoft-based identity-aware filtering and access control.
- User authentication
- SSL inspection
- Web filtering
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit site -
Best forDNS-led enterprise internet protection
A DNS-led enterprise security service with policy controls, roaming protection, and reporting.
Pricing on request · 60-day trial Our Akamai Secure Internet Access Enterprise verdict → Visit Akamai6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Akamai -
Best forCloud access protection with risk-adaptive controls
A cloud forward proxy combining threat protection, DLP and risk-adaptive access controls.
- SSL inspection
- Web filtering
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit Lookout -
Best forZero Trust access beyond traditional proxying
A broad Zero Trust SASE platform for organizations moving beyond traditional proxying.
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit iboss Cloud -
Best forFree desktop web filtering and proxy chaining
Free, open-source desktop proxy software for configurable web filtering and proxy chaining.
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit Privoxy -
Best forHybrid SWG with API administration
A hybrid web security gateway with deep inspection, isolation, DLP, and API administration.
- User authentication
- SSL inspection
- Web filtering
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit site -
Best forCloud secret management, not proxying
A cloud secret manager, not a forward proxy, with strong Google Cloud integrations.
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit Google Cloud -
Best forEndpoint management, not proxying
A broad endpoint management suite, not a forward proxy platform.
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit Broadcom
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3proxy | Free | 9.4 |
| 2 | Squid | Free | 9.1 |
| 3 | g3proxy | Free | 8.9 |
| 4 | Tinyproxy | Free | 8.4 |
| 5 | mitmproxy | Free | 8.2 |
| 6 | WinGate | 8.0 | |
| 7 | Apache Traffic Server | Free | 7.9 |
| 8 | SafeSquid Secure Web Gateway | 7.8 | |
| 9 | Cisco Secure Web Gateway | 7.7 | |
| 10 | FortiProxy | 7.6 | |
| 11 | Zscaler Internet Access | 7.5 | |
| 12 | Prisma Access | 7.3 | |
| 13 | Menlo Security Secure Web Gateway | 7.2 | |
| 14 | Cato Secure Web Gateway | 7.1 | |
| 15 | Check Point Harmony SASE | 7.0 | |
| 16 | Cloudflare Gateway | 6.9 | |
| 17 | Microsoft Entra Internet Access | $5/user/mo | 6.8 |
| 18 | Akamai Secure Internet Access Enterprise | 6.7 | |
| 19 | Lookout Secure Internet Access | 6.6 | |
| 20 | iboss Cloud | 6.5 | |
| 21 | Privoxy | Free | 6.4 |
| 22 | Skyhigh Secure Web Gateway | 6.3 | |
| 23 | Google Cloud Secret Manager | $0.03/unit/mo | 6.1 |
| 24 | Symantec IT Management Suite | 6.0 |
Head-to-head All 22 comparisons →
- 3proxy vs g3proxy
- 3proxy vs Tinyproxy
- 3proxy vs WinGate
- 3proxy vs SafeSquid Secure Web Gateway
- Squid vs g3proxy
- Squid vs Tinyproxy
- Squid vs WinGate
- Squid vs SafeSquid Secure Web Gateway
- g3proxy vs Tinyproxy
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How we rank forward proxy software
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update