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 · Proxy Software

Apache Traffic Server vs Privoxy

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Apache Traffic Server #1 in Proxy Software 9.3/10 Open source ✓ 0 of 1 features Visit Apache ATS
Privoxy #3 in Proxy Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 1 features Visit Privoxy

Apache Traffic Server leads on 0 checks, Privoxy 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 scoreApache Traffic Server · 9.3/10
  • Free planonly Privoxy

Apache Traffic Server scores higher on our rubric for proxy software: 9.3 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #3.

Apache Traffic Server is the better fit for self-hosted web caching and proxy infrastructure. Privoxy is the better fit for filtering and privacy-oriented proxying.

  • Apache Traffic Server fits best

    Self-hosted web caching and proxy infrastructure

  • Privoxy fits best

    Filtering and privacy-oriented proxying

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 Apache Traffic Server 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Privoxy 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.7
Ranking #1 in Proxy Software #3 in Proxy Software
Best for Self-hosted web caching and proxy infrastructure Filtering and privacy-oriented proxying
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Open source Free plan
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Self-hosted
Platforms macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Email, Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Apache Traffic Server 0/1 · Privoxy 0/1
API access Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Proxy networks Not checked yet Not checked yet
IP rotation Not checked yet Not checked yet
Supported protocols Not checked yet Not checked yet
Countries covered Not checked yet Not checked yet
Concurrent sessions Not checked yet Not checked yet
Included bandwidth Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Supports HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2 in forward and reverse proxy deployments
  • Combines response caching, TLS termination, WebSockets, and rate limiting
  • Plugin API extends HTTP processing and protocol capabilities
  • Filters URLs, headers, HTML, cookies, and tracking behavior
  • Supports HTTPS inspection, custom regex filters, and rule tracing
  • Can serve multiple clients and chain with other proxies
Cons
  • Requires self-hosted installation and administrator-managed configuration
  • Platform coverage is listed for Linux and macOS
  • Rate limiting is provided through a plugin rather than a single built-in policy feature
  • Text-based configuration can require more technical effort
  • It is a proxy rather than a browser extension
  • Its focus is filtering, not proxy pool management
Our verdict

Apache Traffic Server is open-source proxy software for organizations that need to operate their own HTTP infrastructure. It supports HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2, forward and reverse proxy deployments, response caching, TLS termination, WebSocket…

Read the review →

Privoxy is a free, open-source, non-caching web proxy for people who want detailed control over web requests and content. It sits between browsers and web servers, filtering ads and unwanted material while modifying pages, headers, and…

Read the review →
  1. Apache Traffic ServerProxy Software 9.3Open source
  2. PrivoxyProxy Software 8.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Apache Traffic Server — where it wins

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

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires self-hosted installation and administrator-managed configuration
    • Platform coverage is listed for Linux and macOS
    • Rate limiting is provided through a plugin rather than a single built-in policy feature

  • Privoxy — where it wins

    • Filters URLs, headers, HTML, cookies, and tracking behavior
    • Supports HTTPS inspection, custom regex filters, and rule tracing
    • Can serve multiple clients and chain with other proxies

    Where it doesn't

    • Text-based configuration can require more technical effort
    • It is a proxy rather than a browser extension
    • Its focus is filtering, not proxy pool management

More comparisons

All proxy software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update