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Tinyproxy
What it is
Tinyproxy is a free, open-source HTTP/HTTPS proxy daemon for POSIX operating systems. It targets embedded deployments and small networks where larger proxy software may consume too many resources. The project reports memory use around 2 MB with glibc, while CPU load rises linearly as simultaneous connections increase. Tinyproxy forwards HTTPS through CONNECT without changing traffic, and administrators can restrict CONNECT by port or disable it. It can operate as a transparent proxy or reverse-proxy front end. Rules filter websites by URL or domain, although URL filtering applies only to plain HTTP. Upstream connections can use HTTP, SOCKS4, or SOCKS5 proxies, with site-based selection rules. Administrators can restrict clients by address or subnet and enable HTTP Basic Authentication. Header controls do not affect HTTPS. Tinyproxy is distributed as source code requiring compilation, with packages or ports listed for Linux, BSD, and Mac OS X.
For and against
For
- Free under GNU GPL version 2 or above
- Supports HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS4, and SOCKS5
- Transparent and reverse-proxy modes
- Client address and subnet restrictions
- Upstream proxy selection rules
Against
- Source code must be compiled
- URL filtering works only for plain HTTP
- Header controls do not affect HTTPS
- CPU load rises with simultaneous connections
The verdict
Tinyproxy offers configurable proxying with a small stated memory footprint and several access-control options. Its source-based installation and limits on HTTP-only filtering should shape deployment decisions.
Who it suits
It suits administrators of small networks, embedded systems, and self-hosted POSIX environments. It is useful where configurable proxy routing and access controls are needed with modest resource use.
Plans and prices
Tinyproxy
Source code distributed under GNU GPL version 2 or above
Read 4 Oct 2026 · tinyproxy.github.io
On the record
- Access controls
- Administrators can restrict client access by address or subnet and configure HTTP Basic Authentication.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Filtering
- It supports filtering websites by URL or domain using configurable rules; URL filtering works only for plain HTTP.tinyproxy.github.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- HTTPS forwarding
- It forwards HTTPS connections through CONNECT without modifying traffic, and its documentation says CONNECT can be restricted by port or disabled.tinyproxy.github.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Installation
- Tinyproxy is distributed as source code that must be compiled, and the project lists packages or ports for Linux distributions, BSD systems, and Mac OS X.tinyproxy.github.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Intended use
- The project describes it as suited to embedded deployments and small networks where larger proxies use too many resources.tinyproxy.github.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Privacy controls
- It can allow or block selected HTTP headers, but the project notes these controls do not affect HTTPS connections.tinyproxy.github.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Proxy modes
- It can be configured as a transparent proxy or as a reverse proxy front end for websites.tinyproxy.github.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Resource use
- The project says memory use tends to be around 2 MB with glibc and CPU load increases linearly with simultaneous connections.tinyproxy.github.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Security guidance
- The project recommends running Tinyproxy as a regular restricted user and says it can run without special privileges with suitable file ownership and a port above 1024.tinyproxy.github.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Security support
- The security policy lists version 1.11.x as supported and directs vulnerability reports to a public GitHub issue or a maintainer contacted through IRC for private reports.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to GitHub issues for bugs or feature suggestions and identifies #tinyproxy on Libera.Chat as a developer community channel.tinyproxy.github.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Upstream proxies
- Its configuration supports upstream HTTP, SOCKS4, and SOCKS5 proxies, with rules that can select an upstream by site.tinyproxy.github.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- What it does
- Tinyproxy is a lightweight HTTP/HTTPS proxy daemon for POSIX operating systems.tinyproxy.github.io · read 4 Oct 2026
