Apache Traffic Server vs Pomerium
Apache Traffic Server
trafficserver.apache.org
Pomerium
pomerium.comSide by side
| Figure | Apache Traffic Server | Pomerium |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $7/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 9 |
| Spec score · Reverse Proxy Software | 9.0 (#2) | 8.9 (#3) |
| Audience | The documentation says Traffic Server is designed for enterprises, internet service providers, backbone providers, and large intranets. | Businesses from startups to Global Fortune 2000 companies rely on Pomerium for access control. |
| Deployment | The documentation lists web proxy cache, reverse proxy, and cache hierarchy deployments. | Pomerium Core provides official binaries for Linux and macOS, Linux deb/rpm packages, Docker images, and source builds. |
| Extensibility | Its plug-in APIs allow custom behavior such as modifying HTTP headers, handling ESI requests, or implementing a cache algorithm. | Official integrations include a Terraform provider, Kubernetes Ingress Controller, CLI/Desktop clients and Go and JavaScript SDKs. |
| Limit: learning curve | Reviewers report complicated configuration, a steep learning curve and difficulty managing the system after initial setup. | G2 reviewers mention a steep learning curve and complexity for newcomers configuring the many available options. |
| Protocols | The project site states full support for HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2, with ongoing development for emerging web standards and protocols. | The product site lists HTTP, MCP, SSH, gRPC, TCP and UDP access patterns. |
| Rating on G2 | 4.1 out of 5 from 17 reviews | 4.8 out of 5 from 12 reviews. |
| Support | Users can seek help through the Users Mailing List or ASF Slack, and code questions through the developers discussion list. | The pricing page lists community forum, email support, dedicated Slack channel, phone support, and dedicated customer success manager options. |
| What it does | Apache Traffic Server is a fast, scalable and extensible HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2 caching proxy. | Pomerium is an identity-aware reverse proxy that provides application and service access without a traditional VPN or client software. |
Plans
Pomerium
- Personal FreeFree
- Business$7 a month
- Zero PersonalFree
- Zero PersonalFree
- Zero Business$7 a month
- Zero Business (annual)$7 a month
- Zero Business (monthly)$9 a month
- EnterprisePriced on request
- EnterprisePriced on request
In their own words
Apache Traffic Server
Apache Traffic Server is a free, open-source caching proxy server for HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2. It stores frequently requested pages, images, and web service calls so they can be reused, with the stated aims of improving response time and reducing server load and bandwidth needs. It can also add keep-alive behavior, filter or anonymize requests, and balance traffic through a proxy layer. Deployment patterns include web proxy cache, reverse proxy, and cache hierarchy. As a layer 7 HTTP load balancer, it can choose next-hop servers using request attributes, weighted round robin, or URL consistent hashing. Plug-in APIs let teams add behavior such as changing headers, handling ESI requests, or implementing cache algorithms. Security options include client access controls and authentication, SSL termination, and SSL-based access control. It is self-hosted, with Linux and macOS listed as platforms. The project identifies enterprises, internet service providers, backbone providers, and large intranets as its intended audience. The listed stable release is 10.2.0; 9.2.15 is listed as the long-term support release.
Pomerium
Pomerium is an open-source identity-aware proxy for controlling access to internal applications, servers, services, and workloads without requiring VPN client software. It checks identity, device state, and request context before granting access, and authenticates through identity providers that support OpenID Connect. Listed access scenarios include HTTP, MCP, SSH, gRPC, TCP, and UDP; supported app protocols also include HTTPS, HTTP/2, HTTP/3, and WebSocket. Pomerium removes its authentication cookies before forwarding requests upstream, and sensitive databroker data is encrypted at rest. Downstream TLS has a minimum of TLS 1.2. Deployment options include Linux and macOS binaries, packages, Docker images, source builds, and desktop clients for Windows, macOS, and Linux. The free Personal plan lists 10 users, 10 routes, five policies, and two service accounts. Business costs $7.00 per month, billed annually, and lists limits of 1,000 users, 100 routes, 100 policies, and 20 service accounts. A free trial is also listed.