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Head-to-head · Forward Proxy Software

Squid vs g3proxy

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Squid #2 in Forward Proxy Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Squid
g3proxy #3 in Forward Proxy Software 8.9/10 Open source ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit g3proxy

Squid leads on 0 checks, g3proxy on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSquid · 9.1/10
  • Free planonly Squid
  • Most featuresg3proxy · 3 of 3

Squid scores higher on our rubric for forward proxy software: 9.1 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.

Squid is the better fit for free caching and enterprise-style proxy control. g3proxy is the better fit for linux deployments needing inspection and controls.

  • Squid fits best

    Free caching and enterprise-style proxy control

  • g3proxy fits best

    Linux deployments needing inspection and controls

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 Squid 9.1/10 Visit ↗ g3proxy 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.9
Ranking #2 in Forward Proxy Software #3 in Forward Proxy Software
Best for Free caching and enterprise-style proxy control Linux deployments needing inspection and controls
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Open source
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Linux
Support Email, Community, Docs Docs
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Enterprise
Features Squid 0/3 · g3proxy 3/3
SSL inspection Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Web filtering Not checked yet ✓ (best)
User authentication Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Deployment Not checked yet Self-hosted
Proxy protocols Not checked yet Both
Concurrent connections Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free, open-source deployment with no commercial license tier
  • Caches HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and gopher content in memory or on disk
  • ACLs, cache peering, load balancing, and request logging support control
  • Supports HTTP(S), SOCKS4, SOCKS5, and UDP associate
  • Combines TLS interception, ICAP, filtering, and authentication
  • Includes routing, failover, load balancing, and traffic limits
Cons
  • Self-hosted deployment requires your team to manage the server
  • Configuration spans proxy, cache, access-control, and peer settings
  • Not a vendor-managed cloud proxy service
  • Verified platform coverage is limited to Linux
  • Self-hosted deployment requires infrastructure management
  • The G3 project is in maintenance mode
Our verdict

Squid is an open-source, self-hosted forward proxy caching server for network operators, websites, and organizations managing web traffic. It caches and reuses HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and gopher objects, with support for both in-memory and…

Read the review →

g3proxy is open-source, self-hosted forward proxy software maintained within ByteDance’s G3 project. It is designed for Linux deployments that need more than basic HTTP proxying, including SOCKS services, user authentication, access…

Read the review →
  1. SquidForward Proxy Software 9.1Free plan
  2. g3proxyForward Proxy Software 8.9Open source

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Squid — where it wins

    • Free, open-source deployment with no commercial license tier
    • Caches HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and gopher content in memory or on disk
    • ACLs, cache peering, load balancing, and request logging support control

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted deployment requires your team to manage the server
    • Configuration spans proxy, cache, access-control, and peer settings
    • Not a vendor-managed cloud proxy service

  • g3proxy — where it wins

    • Supports HTTP(S), SOCKS4, SOCKS5, and UDP associate
    • Combines TLS interception, ICAP, filtering, and authentication
    • Includes routing, failover, load balancing, and traffic limits

    Where it doesn't

    • Verified platform coverage is limited to Linux
    • Self-hosted deployment requires infrastructure management
    • The G3 project is in maintenance mode
  • Squid9.1/10 · Free plan

    Free open-source proxy software with caching, access controls, and cache peering.

    Visit SquidFull verdict →
  • g3proxy8.9/10 · Open source

    A Linux-only open-source proxy with inspection, filtering, chaining, and traffic controls.

    Visit g3proxyFull verdict →

More comparisons

All forward proxy software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update