Squid
Squid: Open-source hierarchical caching for web objects, proxies, and content delivery. Ranked #10 of 27 in Caching Software by our editors (8.3/10); pricing: Free plan; best for self-hosted hierarchical web and object caching.
At a glance
- Editor score8.3 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forSelf-hosted hierarchical web and object caching
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- DeploymentSelf_hosted
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Supports HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and gopher object caching
- Combines in-memory and disk-based cache stores
- Enables cache peering, load balancing, ACLs, and purging
Where it doesn't
- Requires self-hosted deployment rather than a managed cloud service
- Focuses on web objects instead of general application data
- Cache administration and configuration remain the operator’s responsibility
Our verdict on Squid
Squid is open-source, self-hosted proxy caching software for organizations managing web traffic, web clients, and content delivery environments. It caches and reuses HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and gopher objects, with support for Linux, Windows, and macOS. Its scope is centered on web-object delivery and proxy acceleration rather than general-purpose application data caching. Network operators, website teams, and organizations that need control over cache placement and routing are the clearest fit.
Its strongest capability is the breadth of its caching architecture. Squid supports memory and disk cache stores, cache restoration from disk after restart, request logging, cache object purging, SSL support, and access control lists. Reverse-proxy acceleration extends the product beyond forward proxy use, while parent, sibling, and hierarchical cache peering support distributed cache designs. Load balancing across cache peers adds another option for handling web traffic across multiple cache nodes. These features make Squid suitable for deployments that need persistent cache data, cache hierarchies, and high availability across supported engines including HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, gopher, ICP, and HTCP.
Squid’s main trade-off is its deployment model. It is self-hosted software rather than a vendor-managed cloud service, so the organization operating it owns the infrastructure, configuration, access policies, logging, cache storage, and peer relationships. That model suits teams seeking open-source control and flexible network placement, but it is less suitable for buyers looking for a managed caching service or a broader application-data cache. Choose Squid when web traffic, object caching, proxy acceleration, and hierarchical cache coordination are central requirements; consider another category of product when application-state caching is the primary need.
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Squid pricing
Squid fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Deployment | Self_hosted |
| Cache targets | HTTP/HTTPS web pages and objects, FTP data, gopher data |
| Edge caching | Not verified |
| Data persistence | Yes |
| High availability | Yes |
| Supported cache engines | HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, gopher, ICP, HTCP |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Email, Community, Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | squid-cache.org |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Squid
- Amazon ElastiCacheA broad AWS-native caching service with serverless pricing, failover, and deep ecosystem integration.9.4
- Azure Managed RedisA managed Redis Enterprise service for low-latency Azure workloads.9.2
- Google Cloud MemorystoreManaged Redis with standalone and high-availability tiers for Google Cloud workloads.9.1
Also Ranked In
Squid is ranked in 4 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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