Apache Traffic Server vs Squid

Apache Traffic Server9.3Visit SSquid9.1Visit

Higher score Apache Traffic Server #1 in Proxy Software 9.3/10 Open source ✓ 0 of 1 features Visit Apache ATS

vs

S Squid #2 in Proxy Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 1 features Visit Squid

• Apache Traffic Server fits best

  Self-hosted web caching and proxy infrastructure

• Squid fits best

  Self-hosted caching and reverse proxying

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Side by side

Feature	Apache Traffic Server 9.3/10 Visit ↗	SSquid 9.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	9.1
Ranking	#1 in Proxy Software	#2 in Proxy Software
Best for	Self-hosted web caching and proxy infrastructure	Self-hosted caching and reverse 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	Email, Community, Docs
Built for	Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Apache Traffic Server 0/1 · Squid 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	Caches HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and gopher objects in memory or on disk Supports reverse-proxy acceleration, cache peering, and load balancing Includes ACLs, SSL, logging, purging, and cache restoration
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	Requires self-hosted deployment and administration Focused on caching rather than rotating proxy access Does not provide a vendor-managed cloud service
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 →	Squid is open-source, self-hosted proxy caching software for web clients, content delivery environments, network operators, websites, and organizations managing web traffic. It caches and reuses frequently requested HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and… Read the review →

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

• Squid — where it wins

  • Caches HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and gopher objects in memory or on disk
  • Supports reverse-proxy acceleration, cache peering, and load balancing
  • Includes ACLs, SSL, logging, purging, and cache restoration

  Where it doesn't

  • Requires self-hosted deployment and administration
  • Focused on caching rather than rotating proxy access
  • Does not provide a vendor-managed cloud service

• Apache Traffic Server9.3/10 · Open source

  A self-hosted proxy for caching, TLS termination, traffic control, and extensibility.

  Visit Apache ATSFull verdict →
• SSquid9.1/10 · Free plan

  A focused open-source choice for caching, reverse proxying, and traffic control.

  Visit SquidFull verdict →