WinGate vs Apache Traffic Server

WinGate8.0Visit Apache Traffic Server7.9Visit

Higher score WinGate #6 in Forward Proxy Software 8.0/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 3 features Visit WinGate

vs

Apache Traffic Server #7 in Forward Proxy Software 7.9/10 Open source ✓ 0 of 3 features Visit site

• WinGate fits best

  Windows teams needing managed proxy and firewall features

• Apache Traffic Server fits best

  Caching-focused Linux and macOS proxy deployments

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Side by side

Feature	WinGate 8.0/10 Visit ↗	Apache Traffic Server 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.0	7.9
Ranking	#6 in Forward Proxy Software	#7 in Forward Proxy Software
Best for	Windows teams needing managed proxy and firewall features	Caching-focused Linux and macOS proxy deployments
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	—	Open source
Free plan	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Free trial	30 days	—
Deployment	Desktop	Self-hosted
Platforms	Windows	macOS, Linux
Support	Email, Tickets, Docs	Email, Community, Docs
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Mid-market, Enterprise
Features WinGate 0/3 · Apache Traffic Server 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	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	Supports HTTP/1.1, HTTP/2, caching, TLS termination, and WebSockets Runs as a forward or reverse proxy with plugin extensibility Provides logging, monitoring, statistics, and configurable traffic controls
Cons	Windows-only deployment limits platform flexibility Paid licenses begin at $109.95 per license Advanced features may be more than basic proxy users need	Verified platform coverage is limited to Linux and macOS Self-hosted installation and configuration require administrator involvement Rate limiting is provided through a plugin rather than a single built-in policy feature
Our verdict	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 →	Apache Traffic Server is open-source, self-hosted proxy software for organizations handling HTTP traffic through forward or reverse proxy deployments. It is positioned for enterprises, internet service providers, backbone providers, large… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• 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

• Apache Traffic Server — where it wins

  • Supports HTTP/1.1, HTTP/2, caching, TLS termination, and WebSockets
  • Runs as a forward or reverse proxy with plugin extensibility
  • Provides logging, monitoring, statistics, and configurable traffic controls

  Where it doesn't

  • Verified platform coverage is limited to Linux and macOS
  • Self-hosted installation and configuration require administrator involvement
  • Rate limiting is provided through a plugin rather than a single built-in policy feature

• WinGate8.0/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

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

  Visit WinGateFull verdict →
• Apache Traffic Server7.9/10 · Open source

  A self-hosted proxy for caching-focused Linux and macOS deployments.

  Visit siteFull verdict →