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Head-to-head · Forward Proxy Software

Tinyproxy vs WinGate

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Tinyproxy #4 in Forward Proxy Software 8.4/10 Open source ✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Tinyproxy
WinGate #6 in Forward Proxy Software 8.0/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 3 features Visit WinGate

Tinyproxy leads on 0 checks, WinGate 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 scoreTinyproxy · 8.4/10
  • Free planonly WinGate
  • Free trialonly WinGate

Tinyproxy scores higher on our rubric for forward proxy software: 8.4 against 8.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #6.

Tinyproxy is the better fit for lightweight self-hosted HTTP proxying. WinGate is the better fit for windows teams needing managed proxy and firewall features.

  • Tinyproxy fits best

    Lightweight self-hosted HTTP proxying

  • WinGate fits best

    Windows teams needing managed proxy and firewall features

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 Tinyproxy 8.4/10 Visit ↗ WinGate 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.4 8.0
Ranking #4 in Forward Proxy Software #6 in Forward Proxy Software
Best for Lightweight self-hosted HTTP proxying Windows teams needing managed proxy and firewall features
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Open source —
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Self-hosted Desktop
Platforms Linux, macOS Windows
Support Community, Docs Email, Tickets, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Tinyproxy 0/3 · WinGate 0/3
SSL inspection Not checked yet Not checked yet
Web filtering Not checked yet Not checked yet
User authentication Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment Not checked yet Not checked yet
Proxy protocols Not checked yet Not checked yet
Concurrent connections Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Supports HTTP/HTTPS, transparent, reverse, and upstream proxy modes
  • Provides filtering, authentication, access rules, and header management
  • Runs across Linux, macOS, and self-hosted deployments
  • Combines HTTP, SOCKS and application proxies with a stateful firewall
  • Supports Active Directory, NAT, policies, monitoring and remote administration
  • Provides traffic logging, DMZ support, SYN-cookie protection, DHCP and DNS
Cons
  • Self-hosted software requires administrators to manage deployment and operation
  • Focused on proxy administration rather than a hosted proxy network
  • No AI features are included
  • Windows-only deployment limits platform flexibility
  • Paid licenses begin at $109.95 per license
  • Advanced features may be more than basic proxy users need
Our verdict

Tinyproxy is an open-source HTTP/HTTPS proxy daemon for POSIX systems and resource-constrained environments. It is suited to administrators managing small networks, embedded deployments, network appliances, and other self-hosted…

Read the review →

WinGate is Windows software for managing shared internet connectivity, proxy traffic and network access. It combines HTTP, SOCKS and application proxy services with a stateful packet-level firewall, NAT, access policies, user and group…

Read the review →
  1. TinyproxyForward Proxy Software 8.4Open source
  2. WinGateForward Proxy Software 8.0Free plan · 30-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Tinyproxy — where it wins

    • Supports HTTP/HTTPS, transparent, reverse, and upstream proxy modes
    • Provides filtering, authentication, access rules, and header management
    • Runs across Linux, macOS, and self-hosted deployments

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted software requires administrators to manage deployment and operation
    • Focused on proxy administration rather than a hosted proxy network
    • No AI features are included

  • WinGate — where it wins

    • Combines HTTP, SOCKS and application proxies with a stateful firewall
    • Supports Active Directory, NAT, policies, monitoring and remote administration
    • Provides traffic logging, DMZ support, SYN-cookie protection, DHCP and DNS

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only deployment limits platform flexibility
    • Paid licenses begin at $109.95 per license
    • Advanced features may be more than basic proxy users need
  • Tinyproxy8.4/10 · Open source

    A compact self-hosted proxy for administrators who need control without a hosted network.

    Visit TinyproxyFull verdict →
  • WinGate8.0/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

    A Windows gateway combining managed proxies, firewall controls, policies and monitoring.

    Visit WinGateFull 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