Best Forward Proxy Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Cloudflare Gateway is ranked #1 of 21 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Skyhigh Private Access and Zscaler Private Access. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Privoxy. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Cloudflare Gateway at $7/mo.
Forward proxy software helps manage how client traffic reaches online services. The right fit can depend on where it is deployed and which traffic controls your environment calls for. Compare deployment options and proxy protocols alongside concurrent connections, SSL inspection, user authentication and web filtering. A free plan and paid-from price are also listed for cost comparison. The ranked entries start with Cloudflare Gateway, Skyhigh Private Access and Zscaler Private Access, followed by Cato Client and Check Point Harmony SASE. Use the listed connection capacity and filtering capabilities to assess which options match your intended setup.
21 forward proxy software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 Cloudflare Gateway iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.3$7/mo
- 2 Skyhigh Private Access iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.1 Deployment: hybridSSL inspection: Yes
- 3 Zscaler Private Access iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.0 Deployment: cloudProxy protocols: http/httpsSSL inspection: Yes
- 4 Cato Client iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.9 Deployment: cloudSSL inspection: Yes
- 5 Check Point Harmony SASE iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.9
- 6 Cisco Secure Access iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.8 Deployment: cloudProxy protocols: http/httpsSSL inspection: Yes
- 7 iboss Cloud iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.8
- 8 Privoxy No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.1Free
- 9 3proxy No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.0Free
- 10 mitmproxy No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.0Free
- 11 Squid No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.0Free
- 12 WinGate No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.9$109.95/mo
- 13 SafeSquid Secure Web Gateway No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.5 Deployment: hybridProxy protocols: http/httpsSSL inspection: Yes
- 14 FortiProxy No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Deployment: hybridProxy protocols: http/httpsSSL inspection: Yes
- 15 LatentSync No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Deployment: self-hostedProxy protocols: bothSSL inspection: Yes
- 16 Menlo Security Secure Web Gateway No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Deployment: hybridSSL inspection: Yes
- 17 Prisma Browser No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2$10/mo
- 18 Lookout Secure Cloud Access No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.0 Deployment: cloudSSL inspection: Yes
- 19 Symantec IT Management Suite No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 4.9
- 20 Apache Traffic Server No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 4.7
- 21 Tinyproxy No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 4.7
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which forward proxy software is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
Cloudflare Gateway is ranked #1 of 21 with a score of 7.3. Skyhigh Private Access is second and Zscaler Private Access third.
How many of these have a free plan?
5 of the 21 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Cloudflare Gateway has the lowest first paid tier we found: $7/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.