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Head-to-head · Forward Proxy Software

3proxy vs Tinyproxy

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score 3proxy #1 in Forward Proxy Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit 3proxy
Tinyproxy #4 in Forward Proxy Software 8.4/10 Open source ✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Tinyproxy

3proxy leads on 0 checks, Tinyproxy on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest score3proxy · 9.4/10
  • Free planonly 3proxy

3proxy scores higher on our rubric for forward proxy software: 9.4 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #4.

3proxy is the better fit for free, broad-protocol self-hosted proxying. Tinyproxy is the better fit for lightweight self-hosted HTTP proxying.

  • 3proxy fits best

    Free, broad-protocol self-hosted proxying

  • Tinyproxy fits best

    Lightweight self-hosted HTTP proxying

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Side by side

Feature 3proxy 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Tinyproxy 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.4
Ranking #1 in Forward Proxy Software #4 in Forward Proxy Software
Best for Free, broad-protocol self-hosted proxying Lightweight self-hosted HTTP proxying
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Open source
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Linux, macOS
Support Email, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features 3proxy 0/3 · Tinyproxy 0/3
SSL inspection Not checked yet Not checked yet
Web filtering Not checked yet Not checked yet
User authentication Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment Not checked yet Not checked yet
Proxy protocols Not checked yet Not checked yet
Concurrent connections Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Supports HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS, FTP, mail, DNS, TCP and UDP proxying
  • Adds ACLs, authentication, filtering, limits, chaining and detailed logging
  • Runs self-hosted on Windows, macOS and Linux as one or multiple gateway services
  • Supports HTTP/HTTPS, transparent, reverse, and upstream proxy modes
  • Provides filtering, authentication, access rules, and header management
  • Runs across Linux, macOS, and self-hosted deployments
Cons
  • Requires administrators to configure and operate the proxy services
  • Is self-hosted rather than a managed proxy network
  • Offers no AI features or hosted network controls
  • Self-hosted software requires administrators to manage deployment and operation
  • Focused on proxy administration rather than a hosted proxy network
  • No AI features are included
Our verdict

3proxy is a free, open-source, self-hosted proxy server for administrators who need to route and control network traffic. It supports HTTP and HTTPS proxying, including FTP-over-HTTP, alongside SOCKS4, SOCKS4.5 and SOCKS5. The software…

Read the review →

Tinyproxy is an open-source HTTP/HTTPS proxy daemon for POSIX systems and resource-constrained environments. It is suited to administrators managing small networks, embedded deployments, network appliances, and other self-hosted…

Read the review →
  1. 3proxyForward Proxy Software 9.4Free plan
  2. TinyproxyForward Proxy Software 8.4Open source

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 3proxy — where it wins

    • Supports HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS, FTP, mail, DNS, TCP and UDP proxying
    • Adds ACLs, authentication, filtering, limits, chaining and detailed logging
    • Runs self-hosted on Windows, macOS and Linux as one or multiple gateway services

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires administrators to configure and operate the proxy services
    • Is self-hosted rather than a managed proxy network
    • Offers no AI features or hosted network controls

  • Tinyproxy — where it wins

    • Supports HTTP/HTTPS, transparent, reverse, and upstream proxy modes
    • Provides filtering, authentication, access rules, and header management
    • Runs across Linux, macOS, and self-hosted deployments

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted software requires administrators to manage deployment and operation
    • Focused on proxy administration rather than a hosted proxy network
    • No AI features are included
  • 3proxy9.4/10 · Free plan

    A broad-protocol, self-hosted proxy server for administrators who want granular traffic control.

    Visit 3proxyFull verdict →
  • Tinyproxy8.4/10 · Open source

    A compact self-hosted proxy for administrators who need control without a hosted network.

    Visit TinyproxyFull verdict →

More comparisons

All forward proxy software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update