frp
frp: A free open-source tunnel for TCP, UDP, HTTP, HTTPS, WebSocket, and private services. Ranked #23 of 33 in Reverse Proxy Software by our editors (6.6/10); pricing: Free plan; best for tunneling TCP, UDP, and private services.
At a glance
- Editor score6.6 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forTunneling TCP, UDP, and private services
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Deployment modelSelf-hosted
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Supports TCP, UDP, HTTP, HTTPS, WebSocket, and WSS traffic
- Includes multiplexing, load balancing, P2P communication, and bandwidth limits
- Runs across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and self-hosted deployments
Where it doesn't
- Requires self-hosted deployment with separate frpc and frps components
- Configuration uses TOML, YAML, or JSON files rather than a single setup flow
- Needs a server with a public IP address for exposed services
Our verdict on frp
frp is an open-source, self-hosted reverse proxy for making services behind NATs or firewalls reachable through a server with a public IP address. It is aimed at developers, infrastructure teams, and technically capable operators who need to tunnel private services without a paid plan. Deployments use separate frpc client and frps server components, with configuration handled through TOML, YAML, or JSON files. The published model is free and open source rather than a tiered hosted service.
Its main strength is breadth within reverse proxy and tunneling work. frp supports TCP and UDP proxying, HTTP and HTTPS host-based routing, WebSocket and WSS transport, TCP connection multiplexing, and port multiplexing. Load balancing between proxy groups, P2P communication, client and server plugins, authentication, web dashboards, monitoring, and proxy-level bandwidth limiting extend it beyond a basic port forwarder. The platform list covers Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and self-hosted environments, giving it room for mixed operating setups.
The trade-off is operational ownership. A deployment must include the client and server components, a public-IP server, and file-based configuration, so frp suits teams comfortable managing their own infrastructure more than buyers seeking a managed interface or hosted support model. Choose it when protocol coverage, open-source control, and configurable tunneling matter most. Consider an alternative if you want a single hosted product that handles deployment and administration for you.
Your product? Our editors can test frp in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
frp pricing
frp fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Deployment model | Self-hosted |
| TLS termination | Not verified |
| Web application firewall | Not verified |
| Response caching | Not verified |
| Configuration method | Both |
| WebSocket support | Yes |
| Rate limiting | Yes |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | gofrp.org |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to frp
- NGINXA flexible self-hosted reverse proxy with caching, load balancing, TLS, and protocol support.9.3
- HAProxy Community EditionA capable reverse proxy for teams managing high-volume TCP and HTTP traffic themselves.9.1
- Cloudflare TunnelA free outbound tunnel for publishing private services through Cloudflare’s edge.8.9
Used frp? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used frp for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
frp is listed in our Reverse Proxy Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/frp/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/frp.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
Last updated · How we research and update