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Head-to-head · Reverse Proxy Software

Cloudflare Tunnel vs Apache Traffic Server

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Cloudflare Tunnel #3 in Reverse Proxy Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Cloudflare
Apache Traffic Server #6 in Reverse Proxy Software 8.4/10 Open source ✓ 4 of 5 features Visit site

Cloudflare Tunnel leads on 0 checks, Apache Traffic Server 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 scoreCloudflare Tunnel · 8.9/10
  • Free planonly Cloudflare Tunnel

Cloudflare Tunnel scores higher on our rubric for reverse proxy software: 8.9 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

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

Cloudflare Tunnel is the better fit for publishing private services with edge protection. Apache Traffic Server is the better fit for caching-focused HTTP reverse proxying.

  • Cloudflare Tunnel fits best

    Publishing private services with edge protection

  • Apache Traffic Server fits best

    Caching-focused HTTP reverse proxying

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Side by side

Feature Cloudflare Tunnel 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Apache Traffic Server 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.4
Ranking #3 in Reverse Proxy Software #6 in Reverse Proxy Software
Best for Publishing private services with edge protection Caching-focused HTTP reverse proxying
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Open source
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux macOS, Linux
Support Community, Docs Email, Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Cloudflare Tunnel 4/5 · Apache Traffic Server 4/5
TLS termination Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Web application firewall ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Response caching ✓ ✓
WebSocket support ✓ ✓
Rate limiting ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment model Both Self-hosted
Configuration method Both Both
Our review
Pros
  • Outbound-only encrypted connections avoid inbound origin exposure.
  • Supports HTTP, SSH, RDP, SMB, TCP, and other service protocols.
  • Includes dashboard, API, Terraform, and local configuration options.
  • 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
Cons
  • Cloudflare’s broader security features may require separate plan requirements.
  • The cloudflared daemon must run on origin infrastructure.
  • Its strongest fit is within the Cloudflare ecosystem and integrations.
  • 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
Our verdict

Cloudflare Tunnel connects origin servers, APIs, and private services to Cloudflare through outbound-only encrypted connections. It is designed for teams publishing applications without exposing public IP addresses, as well as…

Read the review →

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 →
  1. Cloudflare TunnelReverse Proxy Software 8.9Free plan
  2. Apache Traffic ServerReverse Proxy Software 8.4Open source

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Cloudflare Tunnel — where it wins

    • Outbound-only encrypted connections avoid inbound origin exposure.
    • Supports HTTP, SSH, RDP, SMB, TCP, and other service protocols.
    • Includes dashboard, API, Terraform, and local configuration options.

    Where it doesn't

    • Cloudflare’s broader security features may require separate plan requirements.
    • The cloudflared daemon must run on origin infrastructure.
    • Its strongest fit is within the Cloudflare ecosystem and integrations.

  • 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
  • Cloudflare Tunnel8.9/10 · Free plan

    A free outbound tunnel for publishing private services through Cloudflare’s edge.

    Visit CloudflareFull verdict →
  • Apache Traffic Server8.4/10 · Open source

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

    Visit siteFull 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