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Best Database Proxy Software in 2026

Applications rely on database connections behaving well under changing workloads; proxy software offers one way to manage that layer. Compared on connection pooling, query routing, load balancing and automatic failover, these options can also be weighed by maximum connections and supported databases.

  1. 01 MySQL
    Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux · API
    9.1 Visit Specs
  2. 02 OceanBase Database

    It suits teams that need a distributed database for transactional, analytical, and AI workloads, especially where Oracle or MySQL compatibility matters.

    From $2.38/mo Free plan Open source Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    9.1 Visit Specs
  3. 03 Amazon RDS
    Free plan Web · API · Self-hosted
    8.9 Visit Specs
  4. 04 Supavisor
    From $25/mo Free plan Open source Linux · API · Self-hosted
    8.5 Visit Specs
  5. 05 Avidemux
    Free plan Open source Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    8.3 Visit Specs
  6. 06 TiCDC

    TiCDC suits teams that operate TiDB and need change-data feeds, cluster replication, or downstream data for monitoring, caching, indexing, or analysis.

    Free plan Open source macOS · Linux · API · Self-hosted
    8.1 Visit Specs
  7. 07 DBLE

    DBLE is intended for teams replacing or scaling a single MySQL instance as workloads grow.

    Free plan Linux · Self-hosted
    7.8 Visit Specs
  8. 08 HeliosProxy

    HeliosProxy suits teams running PostgreSQL-compatible databases that need self-hosted pooling, routing, caching, and failover controls.

    Free plan Linux · API · Self-hosted
    7.8 Visit Specs
  9. 09 SPQR

    SPQR is intended for PostgreSQL developers who want to avoid implementing sharding logic in their applications, especially for workloads suited to single-shard OLTP queries.

    Free plan Linux · API · Self-hosted
    7.8 Visit Specs
  10. 10 Heimdall Database Proxy

    It may suit teams that need SQL routing, caching, pooling, and query visibility between applications and databases.

    Free trial Linux · Self-hosted
    7.7 Visit Specs
  11. 11 PgBouncer

    PgBouncer suits PostgreSQL operators who want to reuse connections and choose among three pooling modes.

    Free plan Windows · Linux · Self-hosted
    7.7 Visit Specs
  12. 12 PgDog

    PgDog suits teams running PostgreSQL that need connection pooling, read distribution, failover detection, or sharding.

    Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux · Self-hosted
    7.7 Visit Specs
  13. 13 Mycat2

    It suits Linux teams running their own database infrastructure and needing distributed SQL, routing, pooling or load balancing.

    Free plan Linux · Self-hosted
    7.6 Visit Specs
  14. 14 pgagroal

    pgagroal suits administrators running self-hosted PostgreSQL who need connection limits, monitoring, credential controls, and failover hooks.

    Free plan macOS · Linux · Self-hosted
    7.6 Visit Specs
  15. 15 PgCat

    PgCat suits teams operating PostgreSQL who need self-hosted connection pooling, query routing, and failover on Linux.

    Free plan Linux · Self-hosted
    7.6 Visit Specs
  16. 16 TurbineProxy

    TurbineProxy suits teams running MySQL or PostgreSQL that want self-hosted query routing and connection pooling.

    Free plan Web · Linux · API · Self-hosted
    7.6 Visit Specs
  17. 17 Odyssey
    macOS · Linux · Self-hosted
    7.5 Visit Specs
  18. 18 PgDoorman

    It suits teams running PostgreSQL 10+ that want self-managed pooling, load balancing, and failover on Linux or macOS.

    Free plan macOS · Linux · Self-hosted
    7.5 Visit Specs
  19. 19 ShardingSphere-Proxy

    It suits teams that need a self-hosted proxy for routing, sharding, or distributed transactions across databases.

    Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux · Self-hosted
    7.5 Visit Specs
  20. 20 kingshard
    Linux · Self-hosted
    7.4 Visit Specs
  21. 21 Pgpool-II

    It suits PostgreSQL administrators who need self-hosted pooling, query routing, replication, or failover middleware.

    Free plan Linux · Self-hosted
    7.4 Visit Specs
  22. 22 Cetus
    Linux · Self-hosted
    7.3 Visit Specs
  23. 23 ProxySQL

    It suits teams running self-hosted Linux database infrastructure that need pooling, routing, caching or failover.

    Free plan Linux · Self-hosted
    7.3 Visit Specs
  24. 24 TencentDB for MySQL Database Proxy

    This proxy suits teams running supported TencentDB for MySQL deployments that need routing, pooling, load balancing, monitoring, and failover.

    From $0.07/mo Free trial Web · API
    7.3 Visit Specs
  25. 25 Gaea
    Self-hosted
    7.2 Visit Specs
How this list is ordered. Specifiction scores each tool on how fully its maker documents it, whether its prices are published, where the research puts it, the platforms it runs on and whether it can be tried for free (how we rank). Makers can also buy a numbered place (how Specifiction is paid for).

Deployment model, free-plan availability and paid-from pricing add operational and cost context. MySQL, OceanBase Database and Amazon RDS appear among the named entries, alongside proxy-focused options such as PgDog and PgBouncer. Consider the databases and connection patterns in your environment, then compare the listed capacity and routing details with your needs.

Compare MySQL and OceanBase Database Get a place on this list

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