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Head-to-head · Proxy Software

Privoxy vs mitmproxy

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Privoxy #3 in Proxy Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 1 features Visit Privoxy
mitmproxy #4 in Proxy Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 1 features Visit mitmproxy

Privoxy leads on 0 checks, mitmproxy 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 scorePrivoxy · 8.7/10
  • Free planboth

Privoxy scores higher on our rubric for proxy software: 8.7 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #4.

Privoxy is the better fit for filtering and privacy-oriented proxying. mitmproxy is the better fit for inspecting and modifying web traffic.

  • Privoxy fits best

    Filtering and privacy-oriented proxying

  • mitmproxy fits best

    Inspecting and modifying web traffic

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 Privoxy 8.7/10 Visit ↗ mitmproxy 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.6
Ranking #3 in Proxy Software #4 in Proxy Software
Best for Filtering and privacy-oriented proxying Inspecting and modifying web traffic
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Desktop, Browser extension, Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Web, Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Privoxy 0/1 · mitmproxy 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
  • 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
  • Intercepts HTTP through HTTP/3 and WebSocket traffic
  • Supports interactive editing, replay, recording, and response mocking
  • Offers web, CLI, and Python interfaces with proxy chaining
Cons
  • 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
  • Requires technical knowledge of proxy and traffic workflows
  • Python addons are needed for scripted transformations and mocking
  • Focuses on traffic analysis rather than managed proxy networks
Our verdict

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 →

mitmproxy is a free, open-source HTTPS intercepting proxy for developers, testers, security researchers, and privacy analysts. It captures, inspects, modifies, records, and replays HTTP traffic across HTTP/1, HTTP/2, HTTP/3, and…

Read the review →
  1. PrivoxyProxy Software 8.7Free plan
  2. mitmproxyProxy Software 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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

  • mitmproxy — where it wins

    • Intercepts HTTP through HTTP/3 and WebSocket traffic
    • Supports interactive editing, replay, recording, and response mocking
    • Offers web, CLI, and Python interfaces with proxy chaining

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires technical knowledge of proxy and traffic workflows
    • Python addons are needed for scripted transformations and mocking
    • Focuses on traffic analysis rather than managed proxy networks

More comparisons

All proxy software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update