Proxy technologies mediate traffic between users, applications, and the internet. In business, a forward proxy typically controls outbound requests from employees, while a reverse proxy sits in front of a public application and mediates requests coming in. A secure web gateway (SWG) may use proxy technology to inspect and govern web traffic; zero-trust access is a broader approach to granting access to specific resources. The right choice depends on which traffic and assets a business needs to protect.
What a proxy does in a business network
A proxy is an intermediary that sends or receives requests on behalf of another party. It creates a point where traffic can be routed, inspected, allowed, blocked, or logged according to policy. The word “proxy” alone does not specify which direction traffic is moving or what is being protected.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
That distinction matters in modern environments. Employees may work from offices or remotely, while business applications and data are spread across company sites, cloud platforms, and software-as-a-service (SaaS) providers. NIST’s Guide to a Secure Enterprise Network Landscape describes this shift and discusses secure web gateways, VPNs, SASE, and zero-trust network access as approaches within the broader enterprise security landscape. The guide’s final history is dated November 17, 2022.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesForward proxy vs. reverse proxy vs. secure web gateway
| Technology or role | Typical traffic direction | What it mediates | Common business purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forward proxy | From users or a business network toward internet resources | Outbound requests | Apply web access policies and inspect employee internet traffic |
| Reverse proxy | From clients toward a business application or server | Incoming requests | Place an intermediary in front of a public website, API, or other service |
| Secure web gateway (SWG) | Between users and internet resources | Web traffic, using proxy technology or other deployment forms | Enforce web security policies, such as URL filtering and malware scanning |
| Zero-trust network access (ZTNA) | From a user or device toward specified private resources | Access to particular applications, rather than general network access | Grant private-application access according to identity and policy |
These terms can overlap in products, but they describe different roles or architectures. An SWG is a security service, not simply another name for every proxy. ZTNA describes an access approach, not a universal proxy type. NIST’s Implementing a Zero Trust Architecture: High-Level Document (2025) frames zero trust around access to resources distributed across on-premises and multiple cloud environments, including for hybrid workers and partners.
#1 Best Overall
How businesses use proxy technologies
Control outbound employee web access
A forward proxy or SWG can apply URL and domain rules, control access to applications, scan for malware, and provide visibility into web traffic. Vendor documentation also describes data-loss prevention (DLP) and inspection of HTTPS traffic as possible capabilities. Those features depend on the service and its configuration; having them available does not mean every organization should inspect every connection.
Protect access to SaaS and private applications
A cloud-delivered SWG can apply security policies to traffic headed for internet-hosted SaaS services. ZTNA addresses a different access problem: it can grant a user access to a particular private application based on identity and policy, instead of treating a successful connection as permission to reach an entire network. These services can be combined when an organization needs both internet-traffic controls and more narrowly scoped private access.
Rank #2
- 【Flexible Port Configuration】1 Gigabit SFP WAN Port + 1 Gigabit WAN Port + 2 Gigabit WAN/LAN Ports plus1 Gigabit LAN Port. Up to four WAN ports optimize bandwidth usage through one device.
- 【Increased Network Capacity】Maximum number of associated client devices – 150,000. Maximum number of clients – Up to 700.
- 【Integrated into Omada SDN】Omada’s Software Defined Networking (SDN) platform integrates network devices including gateways, access points & switches with multiple control options offered – Omada Hardware controller, Omada Software Controller or Omada cloud-based controller(Contact TP-Link for Cloud-Based Controller Plan Details). Standalone mode also applies.
- 【Cloud Access】Remote Cloud access and Omada app brings centralized cloud management of the whole network from different sites—all controlled from a single interface anywhere, anytime.
- 【SDN Compatibility】For SDN usage, make sure your devices/controllers are either equipped with or can be upgraded to SDN version. SDN controllers work only with SDN Gateways, Access Points & Switches. Non-SDN controllers work only with non-SDN APs. For devices that are compatible with SDN firmware, please visit TP-Link website.
Mediate requests to public applications
A reverse proxy sits between clients and an application such as a public website or API. It receives requests and mediates how they reach the service behind it. Depending on the product and configuration, the arrangement can also support security controls. For example, Cloudflare describes its Spectrum product as a reverse proxy for TCP/UDP applications with Layer 4 DDoS protection and IP firewall controls. Those are vendor-described capabilities, not an independent comparison of products.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Route traffic and improve security visibility
Proxy and gateway services can provide a point for applying policy and collecting security information. Traffic can reach a cloud security service through different arrangements, including endpoint agents, network on-ramps, or site-to-site tunnels. These are ways of delivering traffic to a service, not interchangeable guarantees that all devices or applications are covered. Fit depends on the network layout, the applications in use, device management, and performance requirements.
Rank #3
- Compact and Efficient Design: The FortiGate 40F is designed for small to mid-sized businesses and enterprise branch offices, featuring a compact, fanless desktop form factor that ensures quiet operation and minimizes space usage.
- Robust Connectivity Options: Equipped with 5 GE RJ45 ports, including 1 WAN port and 4 internal ports, this model provides essential connectivity and flexibility for various network configurations in a small-scale environment.
- High-Performance Security: Offers up to 1 Gbps IPS throughput and 600 Mbps threat protection throughput, using Fortinet’s purpose-built security processor technology to deliver industry-leading performance and protection for SSL encrypted traffic.
- Advanced Threat Protection: Integrated with Fortinet’s AI-powered FortiGuard Labs, the FortiGate 40F offers comprehensive cybersecurity, identifying and mitigating both known and unknown threats to maintain robust security across your network.
- Simplified Management and Deployment: Features a user-friendly management console that provides comprehensive network automation and visibility, coupled with Zero Touch Integration with Fortinet’s Security Fabric for easy deployment.
Encrypted traffic inspection: useful capability, consequential decision
HTTPS inspection can allow a security service to examine encrypted traffic, but it changes the privacy and operational considerations of deployment. Before enabling it, an organization should define which traffic is in scope, which destinations or data types need exceptions, how users will be notified, and who manages the certificates used for inspection. Sensitive personal or regulated data may require special handling. The decision should reflect legal and governance requirements as well as security objectives; the mere availability of inspection is not a reason to decrypt all traffic.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose an architecture
Start with the resource and traffic flow that needs protection, then determine how policies will reach it. NIST treats SWGs, VPNs, SASE, and ZTNA as parts of a wider landscape, not as one universal solution. Cloudflare’s SASE architecture guidance describes organizations adopting SWG or ZTNA progressively around prioritized use cases and notes that some use services from multiple vendors. That is vendor guidance; validate any proposed architecture against your own requirements.
Rank #4
- Multi-WAN Business Continuity: Connect up to 5 ISPs with automatic failover and load balancing — if one connection drops, traffic instantly reroutes to keep your business, remote office, or home lab online
- OpenWRT-Ready Enterprise Control: Full OpenWRT support unlocks VLAN segmentation, advanced firewall rules, custom QoS policies, and community-developed packages for professional-grade network management
- Complete VPN Gateway Suite: WireGuard, OpenVPN, IPsec, PPTP, and L2TP server and client built in; create site-to-site tunnels, host remote access, or route specific VLANs through encrypted VPN connections
- Professional Security Stack: SPI firewall, DoS attack prevention, IP/MAC binding, domain filtering, and DMZ hosting protect your network perimeter while keeping critical services accessible
- Flexible Deployment & Monitoring: Web GUI or Cudy App cloud management with TR-069 support; built-in diagnostic tools (Ping, Traceroute, NSLookup, system logs) for rapid troubleshooting anytime
- Identify the protected asset and direction. For outbound employee web use, assess an SWG or forward-proxy role. For incoming traffic to a public website or API, assess a reverse proxy. For access to private applications, evaluate whether ZTNA, a VPN, or a combination meets the need.
- Map deployment and routing. Determine whether the service is an appliance, software, cloud service, or mixed design, and whether traffic arrives through an endpoint agent, tunnel, or another network path. Confirm which users, devices, applications, and destinations are actually covered.
- Check identity and policy controls. Establish how the service authenticates users or devices, grants or segments access to private resources, and applies rules to applications. Confirm that policies support the access boundaries the business intends to enforce.
- Set inspection and data requirements. Compare URL filtering, malware scanning, application awareness, and DLP capabilities. Decide whether encrypted-traffic inspection is needed and acceptable, and document its scope, exceptions, notice, and certificate responsibilities.
- Assess operational fit. Review logging, incident response, service availability, expected latency, certificate lifecycle, privacy requirements, and the division of responsibilities between the organization and any provider.
- Choose by use case, not label. A business may need one service or several. Record the requirement each component meets and avoid assuming that a product called a “proxy” also supplies SWG, reverse-proxy, or ZTNA functions.
What the evidence does—and does not—show
NIST’s 2025 zero-trust guide reports that the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence worked with 24 collaborators under Cooperative Research and Development Agreements to build 19 example implementations using commercially available technology. Those numbers describe NIST example implementations, not business adoption or market share. The available sources establish practical roles and architecture choices, but do not establish an independent proxy adoption rate or a general performance figure. Product-specific capabilities should therefore be treated as vendor descriptions and checked against the configuration and service being considered.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
