Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Forward Proxy Software

3proxy vs WinGate

  • 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
WinGate #6 in Forward Proxy Software 8.0/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 3 features Visit WinGate

3proxy leads on 0 checks, WinGate 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 planboth
  • Free trialonly WinGate

3proxy scores higher on our rubric for forward proxy software: 9.4 against 8.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #6.

3proxy is the better fit for free, broad-protocol self-hosted proxying. WinGate is the better fit for windows teams needing managed proxy and firewall features.

  • 3proxy fits best

    Free, broad-protocol self-hosted proxying

  • WinGate fits best

    Windows teams needing managed proxy and firewall features

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.

Side by side

Feature 3proxy 9.4/10 Visit ↗ WinGate 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.0
Ranking #1 in Forward Proxy Software #6 in Forward Proxy Software
Best for Free, broad-protocol self-hosted proxying Windows teams needing managed proxy and firewall features
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Self-hosted Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows
Support Email, Docs Email, Tickets, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features 3proxy 0/3 · WinGate 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
  • Combines HTTP, SOCKS and application proxies with a stateful firewall
  • Supports Active Directory, NAT, policies, monitoring and remote administration
  • Provides traffic logging, DMZ support, SYN-cookie protection, DHCP and DNS
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
  • Windows-only deployment limits platform flexibility
  • Paid licenses begin at $109.95 per license
  • Advanced features may be more than basic proxy users need
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 →

WinGate is Windows software for managing shared internet connectivity, proxy traffic and network access. It combines HTTP, SOCKS and application proxy services with a stateful packet-level firewall, NAT, access policies, user and group…

Read the review →
  1. 3proxyForward Proxy Software 9.4Free plan
  2. WinGateForward Proxy Software 8.0Free plan · 30-day trial

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

  • WinGate — where it wins

    • Combines HTTP, SOCKS and application proxies with a stateful firewall
    • Supports Active Directory, NAT, policies, monitoring and remote administration
    • Provides traffic logging, DMZ support, SYN-cookie protection, DHCP and DNS

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only deployment limits platform flexibility
    • Paid licenses begin at $109.95 per license
    • Advanced features may be more than basic proxy users need
  • 3proxy9.4/10 · Free plan

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

    Visit 3proxyFull verdict →
  • WinGate8.0/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

    A Windows gateway combining managed proxies, firewall controls, policies and monitoring.

    Visit WinGateFull 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