Best Cloud SQL Auth Proxy Alternatives in 2026
The top Cloud SQL Auth Proxy alternatives are Heimdall Database Proxy, ProxySQL and ShardingSphere-Proxy: 15 database proxy software our editors would look at instead of Cloud SQL Auth Proxy, in our ranking order.
Cloud SQL Auth Proxy: A focused open-source proxy for IAM-authorized, encrypted Cloud SQL connections. Where it falls short: does not provide connection pooling.
Switching from Cloud SQL Auth Proxy? For most database proxy software buyers the best Cloud SQL Auth Proxy alternative is Heimdall Database Proxy, built for broad, enterprise-grade database proxying. Cloudflare Hyperdrive offers the most maximum connections (100 connections).
Why People Look for a Cloud SQL Auth Proxy Alternative
- Does not provide connection pooling
- Does not provide query routing
- Self-hosted command-line deployment requires operational management
- No connection pooling — 15 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallHeimdall Database Proxy9.4
Broad, enterprise-grade database proxying
Visit Heimdall Database Proxy - Best free optionHeimdall Database Proxy9.4
Has a free plan
Visit Heimdall Database Proxy - Most maximum connectionsCloudflare Hyperdrive8.5
100 connections
Visit Cloudflare Hyperdrive - Best for connection poolingHeimdall Database Proxy9.4
Connection pooling (Cloud SQL Auth Proxy: no)
Visit Heimdall Database Proxy
All 15 Cloud SQL Auth Proxy Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forBroad, enterprise-grade database proxying
- Better than Cloud SQL Auth Proxy:
- Connection pooling
- Editor score 9.4 vs 6.8
A broad database proxy with pooling, routing, analytics, security, and failover.
- Automatic failover
- Query routing
- Load balancing
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Heimdall Data -
Best forFree, mature MySQL/PostgreSQL proxying
- Better than Cloud SQL Auth Proxy:
- Connection pooling
- Editor score 9.2 vs 6.8
A free, open-source proxy for routing, pooling, balancing, and managing database traffic.
- Automatic failover
- Query routing
- Load balancing
9.2/10★★★★★Visit ProxySQL -
Best forOpen-source multi-database proxy deployments
- Better than Cloud SQL Auth Proxy:
- Connection pooling
- Editor score 9.0 vs 6.8
A self-hosted proxy for routing, scaling, and high availability across four database protocols.
- Automatic failover
- Query routing
- Load balancing
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit ShardingSphere -
Best forModern MySQL/PostgreSQL proxy teams
- Better than Cloud SQL Auth Proxy:
- Connection pooling
- Editor score 8.8 vs 6.8
A self-hosted Rust proxy for pooling, routing, failover, consistency, and database visibility.
- Automatic failover
- Query routing
- Load balancing
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit TurbineProxy -
Best forAdvanced PostgreSQL proxy engineering
- Better than Cloud SQL Auth Proxy:
- Connection pooling
- Editor score 8.7 vs 6.8
A deep self-hosted PostgreSQL proxy for teams building advanced traffic and failover control.
- Automatic failover
- Query routing
- Load balancing
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit HeliosProxy -
Best forEnterprise MariaDB proxy operations
- Better than Cloud SQL Auth Proxy:
- Connection pooling
- Editor score 8.6 vs 6.8
A feature-rich MariaDB proxy for routing, failover and production database operations.
- Automatic failover
- Query routing
- Load balancing
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit MariaDB -
Best forManaged edge database connectivity
- Better than Cloud SQL Auth Proxy:
- Connection pooling
- Editor score 8.5 vs 6.8
A managed edge proxy for Workers applications connecting to existing databases.
- Automatic failover
- Connection pooling
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Cloudflare -
Best forFree PostgreSQL pooling and sharding
- Better than Cloud SQL Auth Proxy:
- Connection pooling
- Editor score 8.4 vs 6.8
A free PostgreSQL proxy with pooling, routing, replica balancing, and sharding.
- Automatic failover
- Query routing
- Load balancing
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit PgDog -
Best forPostgreSQL HA and replication proxying
- Better than Cloud SQL Auth Proxy:
- Connection pooling
- Editor score 8.3 vs 6.8
A feature-rich PostgreSQL proxy for teams running their own database clusters.
- Automatic failover
- Query routing
- Load balancing
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Pgpool-II -
Best forFree PostgreSQL pooling with sharding
- Better than Cloud SQL Auth Proxy:
- Connection pooling
- Editor score 8.2 vs 6.8
A focused, free PostgreSQL proxy for pooling, routing, failover, and sharding.
- Automatic failover
- Query routing
- Load balancing
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit PgCat -
Best forMySQL sharding and distributed transactions
- Better than Cloud SQL Auth Proxy:
- Connection pooling
- Editor score 8.1 vs 6.8
A focused Linux proxy for MySQL sharding, routing, pooling, and distributed transactions.
- Automatic failover
- Query routing
- Load balancing
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit DBLE -
Best forManaged MySQL proxying on Alibaba Cloud
- Better than Cloud SQL Auth Proxy:
- Connection pooling
- Editor score 8.0 vs 6.8
A focused managed proxy for MySQL workloads needing routing, pooling, and failover support.
- Automatic failover
- Query routing
- Load balancing
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Alibaba Cloud -
Best forFocused PostgreSQL pooling and routing
- Better than Cloud SQL Auth Proxy:
- Connection pooling
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.8
A focused self-hosted proxy for PostgreSQL pooling, routing, balancing, and observability.
- Automatic failover
- Query routing
- Load balancing
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Odyssey -
Best forMulti-tenant PostgreSQL pooling
- Better than Cloud SQL Auth Proxy:
- Connection pooling
- Editor score 7.8 vs 6.8
Open-source PostgreSQL pooling with multi-tenancy, routing, metrics, and cluster resilience.
- Query routing
- Load balancing
- Connection pooling
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Supavisor -
Best forMature, free PostgreSQL connection pooling
- Better than Cloud SQL Auth Proxy:
- Connection pooling
- Editor score 7.7 vs 6.8
A mature, free PostgreSQL pooler for self-hosted infrastructure.
- Load balancing
- Connection pooling
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit PgBouncer
Cloud SQL Auth Proxy Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Cloud SQL Auth Proxy?
Heimdall Database Proxy: #1 in our Database Proxy Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A broad database proxy with pooling, routing, analytics, security, and failover.
Is there a free alternative to Cloud SQL Auth Proxy?
Yes. Heimdall Database Proxy, ProxySQL, ShardingSphere-Proxy, TurbineProxy and HeliosProxy have a free plan or a free tier (14 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Cloud SQL Auth Proxy alternatives?
Does not provide connection pooling; Does not provide query routing; Self-hosted command-line deployment requires operational management.
Which Cloud SQL Auth Proxy alternative has the most maximum connections?
Cloudflare Hyperdrive, with 100 connections.
How do I switch from Cloud SQL Auth Proxy?
Export your data from Cloud SQL Auth Proxy (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Cloud SQL Auth Proxy.
How to Switch from Cloud SQL Auth Proxy
- Export your data from Cloud SQL Auth Proxy (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Cloud SQL Auth Proxy.
Cloud SQL Auth Proxy vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Deployment model | Connection pooling | Query routing | Load balancing | Supported databases | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | Cloud SQL Auth Proxy | Free | Self-hosted | No | MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server | 6.8 | |||
| 1 | Heimdall Database Proxy | Yes | Both | Yes | Yes | Yes | MySQL, PostgreSQL, Amazon RDS, Oracle, SQL Server, MariaDB, DB2, Greenplum, Redshift | 9.4 | |
| 2 | ProxySQL | Yes | Free | Self-hosted | Yes | Yes | Yes | MySQL protocol, PostgreSQL protocol, MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, Percona Server for MySQL, ClickHouse | 9.2 |
| 3 | ShardingSphere-Proxy | Yes | Free | Self-hosted | Yes | Yes | Yes | MySQL, PostgreSQL, openGauss, Firebird | 9.0 |
| 4 | TurbineProxy | Yes | Free | Self-hosted | Yes | Yes | Yes | MySQL, PostgreSQL | 8.8 |
| 5 | HeliosProxy | Free | Self-hosted | Yes | Yes | Yes | PostgreSQL-compatible databases | 8.7 | |
| 6 | MariaDB MaxScale | No | Both | Yes | Yes | Yes | MariaDB Server, MySQL-compatible servers, ColumnStore, Enterprise Cluster, MongoDB protocol | 8.6 | |
| 7 | Cloudflare Hyperdrive | Yes | Managed | Yes | PostgreSQL 9.0–17.x; MySQL 5.7–8.x; MariaDB; PostgreSQL- and MySQL-compatible providers | 8.5 | |||
| 8 | PgDog | Yes | Free | Both | Yes | Yes | Yes | PostgreSQL | 8.4 |
| 9 | Pgpool-II | Yes | Free | Self-hosted | Yes | Yes | Yes | PostgreSQL | 8.3 |
| 10 | PgCat | Yes | Free | Self-hosted | Yes | Yes | Yes | PostgreSQL | 8.2 |
| 11 | DBLE | Free | Self-hosted | Yes | Yes | Yes | MySQL, ClickHouse | 8.1 | |
| 12 | ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy | Yes | Managed | Yes | Yes | Yes | MySQL | 8.0 | |
| 13 | Odyssey | Free | Self-hosted | Yes | Yes | Yes | PostgreSQL | 7.9 | |
| 14 | Supavisor | Free | Both | Yes | Yes | Yes | PostgreSQL | 7.8 | |
| 15 | PgBouncer | Yes | Free | Self-hosted | Yes | No | Yes | PostgreSQL | 7.7 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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