Best Cisco Secure Web Gateway Alternatives in 2026
The top Cisco Secure Web Gateway alternatives are 3proxy, Squid and g3proxy: 15 forward proxy software our editors would look at instead of Cisco Secure Web Gateway, in our ranking order.
Cisco Secure Web Gateway: A cloud full proxy with filtering, inspection, malware scanning, and broad endpoint support. Where it falls short: pricing is handled through contact sales.
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Best forFree, broad-protocol self-hosted proxying
A broad-protocol, self-hosted proxy server for administrators who want granular traffic control.
9.4/10★★★★★Visit 3proxy -
Best forFree caching and enterprise-style proxy control
Free open-source proxy software with caching, access controls, and cache peering.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Squid -
Best forLinux deployments needing inspection and controls
A Linux-only open-source proxy with inspection, filtering, chaining, and traffic controls.
- User authentication
- SSL inspection
- Web filtering
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit g3proxy -
Best forLightweight self-hosted HTTP proxying
A compact self-hosted proxy for administrators who need control without a hosted network.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Tinyproxy -
Best forDevelopers inspecting and replaying web traffic
A flexible toolkit for developers who need deep HTTP and WebSocket traffic control.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit mitmproxy -
Best forWindows teams needing managed proxy and firewall features
A Windows gateway combining managed proxies, firewall controls, policies and monitoring.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit WinGate -
Best forCaching-focused Linux and macOS proxy deployments
A self-hosted proxy for caching-focused Linux and macOS deployments.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forHybrid gateways needing strong identity integration
A hybrid forward proxy with deep filtering, identity controls, inspection, and reporting.
- User authentication
- SSL inspection
- Web filtering
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit SafeSquid -
Best forSecurity-heavy hybrid proxy deployments
A security-focused hybrid proxy with broad inspection, filtering, and Fortinet integrations.
- User authentication
- SSL inspection
- Web filtering
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Fortinet -
Best forEnterprise cloud SWG with broad security controls
A broad cloud SWG for enterprises needing centralized security controls.
- User authentication
- SSL inspection
- Web filtering
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Zscaler -
Best forLarge enterprises needing integrated SASE security
An enterprise SASE platform combining web, private-app, SaaS, and network security.
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Prisma Access -
Best forCloud proxy deployments with DLP and analytics
A broad cloud proxy for web filtering, inspection, DLP, and SaaS controls.
- User authentication
- SSL inspection
- Web filtering
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit Menlo Security -
Best forCloud filtering with device-aware policies
A cloud SWG for enterprises that need centralized filtering, inspection, and reporting.
- User authentication
- SSL inspection
- Web filtering
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit Cato -
Best forZero Trust web access across desktop and mobile
A broad Zero Trust SASE platform for protected web, private-app, SaaS, and mobile access.
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit Check Point -
Best forLow-cost cloud filtering with a free tier
A low-cost cloud gateway for DNS, network, and HTTP traffic filtering.
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit site
Cisco Secure Web Gateway Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Cisco Secure Web Gateway?
3proxy: #1 in our Forward Proxy Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A broad-protocol, self-hosted proxy server for administrators who want granular traffic control.
Is there a free alternative to Cisco Secure Web Gateway?
Yes. 3proxy, Squid, g3proxy, Tinyproxy and mitmproxy have a free plan or a free tier (8 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Cisco Secure Web Gateway vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Deployment | Proxy protocols | SSL inspection | Web filtering | User authentication | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Cisco Secure Web Gateway | — | — | Cloud | Http/https | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.7 |
| 1 | 3proxy | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — | 9.4 |
| 2 | Squid | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — | 9.1 |
| 3 | g3proxy | — | None | Self-hosted | Both | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.9 |
| 4 | Tinyproxy | — | None | — | — | — | — | — | 8.4 |
| 5 | mitmproxy | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — | 8.2 |
| 6 | WinGate | Yes | $109.95/user | — | — | — | — | — | 8.0 |
| 7 | Apache Traffic Server | — | None | — | — | — | — | — | 7.9 |
| 8 | SafeSquid Secure Web Gateway | — | — | Hybrid | Http/https | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.8 |
| 10 | FortiProxy | — | — | Hybrid | Http/https | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.6 |
| 11 | Zscaler Internet Access | No | — | Cloud | Http/https | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.5 |
| 12 | Prisma Access | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7.3 |
| 13 | Menlo Security Secure Web Gateway | — | — | Hybrid | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.2 |
| 14 | Cato Secure Web Gateway | — | — | Cloud | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.1 |
| 15 | Check Point Harmony SASE | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7.0 |
| 16 | Cloudflare Gateway | Yes | $7/user/mo | — | — | — | — | — | 6.9 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update