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ProxySQL

proxysql.com

Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted
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Spec score 7.3 #23 of 31 in Database Proxy Software

What it is

ProxySQL is a self-hosted Linux database proxy for MySQL, PostgreSQL and related systems. It scales infrastructure without changes to the application stack or database engine, multiplexing more than 100,000 client connections through a few hundred backend connections. Protocol-aware, regex-based routing can send queries to primary servers, replicas or shards, and can route by user, schema or table. The proxy can cache results without application changes, monitor backend health and reroute traffic during failures. Query mirroring duplicates live traffic for analysis and performance testing, while percentage-based balancing supports gradual shifts. A database firewall is intended to protect against SQL injection and runaway queries. Deployment options include Linux packages, Docker and Kubernetes. ProxySQL is GPLv3-licensed open source, released in 2013. The Community plan is free and includes core features, supported platforms and community channels.

Spec sheet

What it does
ProxySQL is a database proxy for MySQL, PostgreSQL, and their surrounding ecosystems that scales database infrastructure without changes to the application stack or database engine.Read 30 Sep 2026 · proxysql.com
Deployment
The installation guide provides Linux distribution packages and describes Docker and Kubernetes deployment options.Read 30 Sep 2026 · proxysql.com
Security
The features page describes a database firewall intended to protect databases from SQL injection and runaway queries.Read 30 Sep 2026 · proxysql.com
Support
Commercial offerings include SLA-backed support, priority response, and dedicated account management; community users can use GitHub Discussions, Google Groups, and GitHub Issues.Read 30 Sep 2026 · proxysql.com
Founded
2013Read 23 Sep 2026 · proxysql.com
Availability
ProxySQL monitors backend health and automatically reroutes traffic during failures.Read 30 Sep 2026 · proxysql.com
Company origin
The company page says René Cannaò released ProxySQL as a GPLv3-licensed open source project in 2013 and founded ProxySQL that year.Read 30 Sep 2026 · proxysql.com
Connection multiplexing
It handles 100k+ client connections with a few hundred backend connections.Read 30 Sep 2026 · proxysql.com
Database compatibility
The site lists MySQL and PostgreSQL protocol compatibility, including MySQL, MariaDB, Percona, Amazon RDS, Aurora, Google Cloud SQL, Azure Database, CockroachDB, YugabyteDB, Neon, Supabase, and Timescale.Read 30 Sep 2026 · proxysql.com
Linux support
Listed supported distributions include RedHat/CentOS, Amazon Linux, Debian, Ubuntu, AlmaLinux, and openSUSE Leap, with version qualifications on the installation page.Read 30 Sep 2026 · proxysql.com
Query routing
Protocol-aware, regex-based routing sends queries to primary servers, replicas, or shards.Read 30 Sep 2026 · proxysql.com
Sharding and caching
It can route queries by user, schema, or table and cache query results at the proxy layer without application changes.Read 30 Sep 2026 · proxysql.com
Testing and rollout
Query mirroring duplicates live traffic to secondary host groups for load analysis and performance testing, while percentage-based load balancing supports gradual traffic shifts.Read 30 Sep 2026 · proxysql.com

Plans and prices

Community Free Always open source · All ProxySQL Core Features · Community Support Channels · All supported platforms Read 30 Sep 2026 · proxysql.com
Enterprise Priced on request ProxySQL Express SLA · SLA Guarantees · Health Monitoring & Alerting · MySQL/Amazon RDS/Percona Support · Custom Feature Development Read 30 Sep 2026 · proxysql.com
Professional Priced on request 24x7x365 Support · Gold / Platinum Subscription · High Priority Bug Fixes · Architecture Solution Design · Web UI Administration Read 30 Sep 2026 · proxysql.com

Every ProxySQL plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Multiplexes 100k+ clients to fewer backends
  • Routes queries by protocol and rules
  • Automatic rerouting follows backend failures
  • Supports Docker and Kubernetes deployment
  • Community plan includes core features

Limits

  • Self-hosted deployment is required
  • Linux distribution support has version qualifications
  • Community support uses public channels

Who it suits

It suits teams running self-hosted Linux database infrastructure that need pooling, routing, caching or failover. Community users can use open-source support channels, while commercial plans add SLA-backed services.

Verdict

ProxySQL provides routing, pooling, caching, failover and rollout controls without application changes. Its free open-source Community plan is clear, while commercial support requires contacting the maker.

Where Specifiction places it

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