Squid

Self-Hosted

Open-source caching and forward proxy server

Overview

Squid is a robust, high-performance proxy server optimized for caching, access control, and content filtering. It reduces bandwidth usage and latency by caching frequently requested web content, accelerating access for users. Deployable on Linux/Unix systems (with Windows ports available), it supports HTTP, HTTPS, FTP protocols and integrates with LDAP/Kerberos authentication. Ideal for enterprises, ISPs, or personal use, it offers granular traffic management via ACLs and helps enhance security by masking client IPs and filtering malicious content.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  squid:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: squid
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

High-performance caching to minimize latency and bandwidth consumption
Granular access control lists (ACLs) for traffic management
Support for multiple protocols (HTTP, HTTPS, FTP)
Integration with LDAP/Kerberos authentication systems

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Squid hard to install?

Squid is easy to install on Linux/Unix via package managers (apt, yum). Basic setup involves editing squid.conf for simple proxy rules, while advanced features (caching policies, authentication) need more technical knowledge. Docker images are available for quick deployment.

? Is Squid a good alternative to Zscaler Internet Access?

Yes, for users preferring self-hosted control. Unlike Zscaler's SaaS model, Squid runs on your servers, offering full customization of rules and data handling. However, Zscaler's managed threat detection features require additional tools (like ClamAV) to replicate with Squid.

? Is it completely free?

Absolutely. Squid is open-source under the GPL license, with no licensing fees. You can use, modify, and distribute it freely for personal or commercial purposes.

Top Alternatives

Blue Coat ProxySG Search Google

Zscaler Internet Access Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Proxy

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Full control over infrastructure (self-hosted)
⊕ No licensing fees (open-source GPL)
⊕ Active community support and regular updates

Cons

⊖ Advanced configurations require technical expertise
⊖ Limited GUI (mostly command-line based)
⊖ Requires server maintenance and security patches