Side by side

Apache Traffic Server vs HAProxy Community Edition

Both stand on reverse proxy 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

HAProxy Community Edition brings TCP and HTTP proxying, load balancing, and high availability together in free, self-hosted software. Its Linux focus and self-management model are important considerations; the project also points users to commercial support contracts and professional services.

Visit HAProxy Community Edition

The facts

	Apache Traffic Server	HAProxy Community Edition
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Open source	Yes	Yes
Runs on	API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted	API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows
Lowest paid plan	Free or on request	Free or on request
Plans published	1	2
Maker	Not published	Not published
Website	trafficserver.apache.org	haproxy.org
On reverse proxy software	#1 of 33	#2 of 33

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.

HAProxy Community Edition: what it does well

Free plan for TCP and HTTP proxying.
Supports Layer 4 and Layer 7 routing.
Includes TLS termination.
Shipped with most mainstream Linux distributions.
LTS branches are maintained for five years.

What to know first

Self-hosted rather than a managed service.
Runs on Linux according to the listed platforms.
The 3.4 branch is listed as in development.

Alternatives to Apache Traffic Server Alternatives to HAProxy Community Edition The whole list