Squid
What it is
Squid is free, self-hosted proxy software that caches web traffic. By retaining frequently requested pages and other supported data for reuse, it can reduce bandwidth use and improve response times. It handles HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and gopher data; supported cache engines also include ICP and HTCP. Administrators can set access controls and use request logging. Squid can also accelerate servers, route content among web servers, and form content clusters for load balancing. Multiple caches can be connected in a mesh or hierarchy through parent and sibling links.
Authentication options include Basic, NTLM, Digest, and Negotiate, with helpers for LDAP, SQL databases, PAM, RADIUS, and Windows domains. Basic authentication is a security caveat: it encodes credentials with Base64 rather than encrypting them. Squid is distributed under GPL version 2, with some components under compatible open-source licenses. It is available for Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted deployment, with installation through package systems, source releases, and platform binaries. The project provides documentation, a wiki, bug tracking, and mailing lists.
For and against
For
- Free to download, use, and modify.
- Supports HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and gopher data.
- Offers access controls and request logging.
- Caches can be linked in a mesh or hierarchy.
- Available for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Against
- Basic authentication does not encrypt credentials.
- Deployment is self-hosted.
- Direct project contact is not for user support.
The verdict
Squid provides caching, access controls, logging, and several ways to connect caches, but it requires self-hosted deployment. Avoid Basic authentication where credential confidentiality is needed, since its credentials are encoded rather than encrypted.
Who it suits
Squid suits administrators who want to run a configurable caching proxy themselves, manage access and requests, or connect multiple caches. It may also fit teams routing content among web servers or building load-balancing clusters.
Plans and prices
Squid
Self-hosted proxy software · third-party commercial support may be available
Read 30 Sep 2026 · squid-cache.org
On the record
- Acceleration
- Squid can accelerate servers, route content among web servers, and build content clusters for load balancing.squid-cache.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Access controls
- The project describes Squid as having extensive access controls and full request logging.squid-cache.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Authentication
- Squid documentation lists Basic, NTLM, Digest, and Negotiate proxy authentication and bundled helpers for backends including LDAP, SQL databases, PAM, RADIUS, and Windows domains.wiki.squid-cache.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Authentication caveat
- The documentation warns that Basic authentication encodes credentials with Base64 rather than encrypting them, so credentials are effectively cleartext between browser and proxy.wiki.squid-cache.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Cache hierarchy
- Multiple Squid caches can be connected as a mesh or hierarchy using parent and sibling links.wiki.squid-cache.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Foundation
- The Squid Software Foundation is a Colorado nonprofit incorporated in 2011 and says it supports project governance, administration, infrastructure, copyright, and licensing.squid-cache.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Installation
- Squid is available through operating-system package systems, source releases and GitHub, and binary packages for a variety of platforms including Windows.squid-cache.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Licensing
- Squid is distributed under the GNU General Public License version 2, with some components under GPLv2-compatible open-source licenses.wiki.squid-cache.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Protocols
- Squid supports HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and other web data, including FTP, gopher, and HTTP objects described in its FAQ.squid-cache.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- Squid is a caching proxy for web traffic that reuses frequently requested pages to reduce bandwidth and improve response times.squid-cache.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Support
- The project offers documentation, a wiki, bug tracking, mailing lists, and links to commercial services; direct project contact is not for user support.squid-cache.org · read 30 Sep 2026
