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SPECIFICTION
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Squid

squid-cache.org

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinuxSelf-hosted
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Spec score 7.4 #11 of 25 in Forward Proxy Software

What it is

Squid is a self-hosted caching proxy for web traffic. It keeps commonly requested pages and other supported data available for reuse, helping reduce bandwidth and improve response times. Squid handles HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and gopher data; supported cache engines also include ICP and HTCP. Administrators can apply access controls and use full request logging. Squid can accelerate servers, direct content among web servers, and organize content clusters for load balancing. Multiple caches can be connected as a mesh or hierarchy through parent and sibling links. Proxy authentication options include Basic, NTLM, Digest, and Negotiate, with bundled helpers for LDAP, SQL databases, PAM, RADIUS, and Windows domains. Basic authentication encodes credentials with Base64 rather than encrypting them, so credentials are effectively cleartext between browser and proxy. Squid is free to download, use, and modify, and is distributed under GPL version 2, with some components under compatible open-source licenses. It is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows, with installation through operating-system packages, source releases, and binaries. Documentation, a wiki, bug tracking, and mailing lists are available.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Squid is a caching proxy for web traffic that reuses frequently requested pages to reduce bandwidth and improve response times.Read 30 Sep 2026 · squid-cache.org
Platforms
The project routinely tests Linux, FreeBSD, and OpenBSD, lists macOS availability through Homebrew, and says Squid is also known to run on Windows.Read 30 Sep 2026 · wiki.squid-cache.org
Support
The project offers documentation, a wiki, bug tracking, mailing lists, and links to commercial services; direct project contact is not for user support.Read 30 Sep 2026 · squid-cache.org
Acceleration
Squid can accelerate servers, route content among web servers, and build content clusters for load balancing.Read 30 Sep 2026 · squid-cache.org
Access controls
The project describes Squid as having extensive access controls and full request logging.Read 30 Sep 2026 · squid-cache.org
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.Read 30 Sep 2026 · wiki.squid-cache.org
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.Read 30 Sep 2026 · wiki.squid-cache.org
Cache hierarchy
Multiple Squid caches can be connected as a mesh or hierarchy using parent and sibling links.Read 30 Sep 2026 · wiki.squid-cache.org
Foundation
The Squid Software Foundation is a Colorado nonprofit incorporated in 2011 and says it supports project governance, administration, infrastructure, copyright, and licensing.Read 30 Sep 2026 · squid-cache.org
Installation
Squid is available through operating-system package systems, source releases and GitHub, and binary packages for a variety of platforms including Windows.Read 30 Sep 2026 · squid-cache.org
Licensing
Squid is distributed under the GNU General Public License version 2, with some components under GPLv2-compatible open-source licenses.Read 30 Sep 2026 · wiki.squid-cache.org
Protocols
Squid supports HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and other web data, including FTP, gopher, and HTTP objects described in its FAQ.Read 30 Sep 2026 · squid-cache.org

Plans and prices

Squid Free Free to download, use, and modify Self-hosted proxy software · third-party commercial support may be available Read 30 Sep 2026 · squid-cache.org

Every Squid plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Caches HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and gopher data.
  • Includes access controls and full request logging.
  • Can form content clusters for load balancing.
  • Free to download, use, and modify.
  • Available through packages, source releases, and binaries.

Limits

  • Basic authentication does not encrypt credentials.
  • Direct project contact is not for user support.
  • Requires self-hosted deployment.

Who it suits

Squid suits administrators who need a self-hosted proxy to cache web traffic, control access, or route and load-balance content. It also supports connected cache hierarchies and several proxy authentication methods.

Verdict

Squid provides caching, access controls, logging, and routing options in a free, self-hosted package. Choose authentication carefully: Basic encodes credentials rather than encrypting them.

Where Specifiction places it

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