Side by side

Apache Traffic Server vs cache2k

Both stand on caching software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

Apache Traffic Server

Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+1

Apache Traffic Server combines caching, proxying, and layer 7 load balancing in a self-hosted server. Its deployment options and plug-in APIs suit organizations that need to tailor proxy behavior.

Visit Apache Traffic Server

cache2k provides Java applications with in-memory caching, configurable loader behavior and multiple monitoring options. Its lack of persistence and the added JCache overhead are worth considering when choosing how to use it.

Visit cache2k

The facts

	Apache Traffic Server	cache2k
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Open source	Yes	Not published
Runs on	API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted	Android, API, Linux, Self-hosted
Lowest paid plan	Free or on request	Free or on request
Plans published	1	1
Maker	Not published	Not published
Website	trafficserver.apache.org	cache2k.org
On caching software	#1 of 27	#5 of 27

Apache Traffic Server: what it does well

Free and open source under Apache License 2.0.
Supports HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2.
Offers proxy, reverse proxy, and cache hierarchy deployments.
Plug-in APIs support custom behavior.
Includes SSL termination and client access controls.

What to know first

Self-hosted deployment requires managing the installation.
The listed stable release is 10.2.0; 9.2.15 is the LTS release.

cache2k: what it does well

Pure Java implementation with no external dependencies.
Supports expiry, refresh and read-through loading.
Offers configurable loader exception suppression and retries.
Integrates with Spring Framework and other listed tools.
Apache-licensed and free.

What to know first

Does not persist cached data.
JCache API use adds overhead versus the native API.
Version 2 requires at least Java 8.

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