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Head-to-head · Reverse Proxy Software

Apache Traffic Server vs ngrok

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Apache Traffic Server #6 in Reverse Proxy Software 8.4/10 Open source ✓ 4 of 5 features Visit site
ngrok #8 in Reverse Proxy Software 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit ngrok

Apache Traffic Server leads on 0 checks, ngrok on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreApache Traffic Server · 8.4/10
  • Free planonly ngrok

Apache Traffic Server scores higher on our rubric for reverse proxy software: 8.4 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #8.

On deployment model, ngrok gives you Both where Apache Traffic Server offers Self-hosted.

Apache Traffic Server is the better fit for caching-focused HTTP reverse proxying. ngrok is the better fit for managed tunnels, APIs, and secure ingress.

  • Apache Traffic Server fits best

    Caching-focused HTTP reverse proxying

  • ngrok fits best

    Managed tunnels, APIs, and secure ingress

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Side by side

Feature Apache Traffic Server 8.4/10 Visit ↗ ngrok 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.4 8.2
Ranking #6 in Reverse Proxy Software #8 in Reverse Proxy Software
Best for Caching-focused HTTP reverse proxying Managed tunnels, APIs, and secure ingress
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Open source $10/mo
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms macOS, Linux Web, Windows, macOS
Support Email, Community, Docs Email, Tickets, Docs
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Apache Traffic Server 4/5 · ngrok 4/5
TLS termination ✓ ✓
Web application firewall Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Response caching ✓ (best) Not checked yet
WebSocket support ✓ ✓
Rate limiting ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment model Self-hosted Both
Configuration method Both Both
Our review
Pros
  • Supports HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2 in forward and reverse proxy modes
  • Combines response caching, TLS termination, WebSockets, and rate limiting
  • Plugin API extends HTTP processing and protocol capabilities
  • Secure tunnels connect local or private services to public endpoints
  • Traffic policies support authentication, forwarding, and rate limiting
  • WAF rules, TLS termination, inspection, and global load balancing included
Cons
  • Self-hosted deployment requires administrators to manage installation and configuration
  • Rate limiting is provided through a plugin rather than a single built-in policy feature
  • Platform support is listed for macOS and Linux
  • Free plan limits endpoints, transfer, requests, and team membership
  • Pay-as-you-go adds usage charges beyond its included allowances
  • Enterprise pricing uses per-device and per-customer pricing
Our verdict

Apache Traffic Server is an open-source, self-hosted HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2 proxy server designed for high-volume traffic. It supports both forward and reverse proxy operation, making it relevant to enterprises, internet service providers,…

Read the review →

ngrok is developer infrastructure for exposing, routing, and securing applications, APIs, services, and AI models. It connects local or private services to managed public endpoints through agents, APIs, SDKs, or Kubernetes integrations.…

Read the review →
  1. Apache Traffic ServerReverse Proxy Software 8.4Open source
  2. ngrokReverse Proxy Software 8.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Apache Traffic Server — where it wins

    • Supports HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2 in forward and reverse proxy modes
    • Combines response caching, TLS termination, WebSockets, and rate limiting
    • Plugin API extends HTTP processing and protocol capabilities

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted deployment requires administrators to manage installation and configuration
    • Rate limiting is provided through a plugin rather than a single built-in policy feature
    • Platform support is listed for macOS and Linux

  • ngrok — where it wins

    • Secure tunnels connect local or private services to public endpoints
    • Traffic policies support authentication, forwarding, and rate limiting
    • WAF rules, TLS termination, inspection, and global load balancing included

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan limits endpoints, transfer, requests, and team membership
    • Pay-as-you-go adds usage charges beyond its included allowances
    • Enterprise pricing uses per-device and per-customer pricing
  • Apache Traffic Server8.4/10 · Open source

    A self-hosted proxy for teams that need caching, TLS termination, and extensibility.

    Visit siteFull verdict →
  • ngrok8.2/10 · Free plan

    A broad reverse proxy platform for managed tunnels, APIs, and secure ingress.

    Visit ngrokFull verdict →

More comparisons

All reverse proxy software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update