3proxy/3proxy
Free3proxy - tiny free proxy server
FreeFree tier
About 3proxy/3proxy
3proxy is a tiny, free, and open-source proxy server developed by Vladimir "3APA3A" Dubrovin. It supports a wide range of proxy protocols including HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKSv4/5, FTP, and UDP. The server is designed to be lightweight and efficient, consuming minimal system resources while providing robust features such as DNS caching, access control, logging, and SSL/TLS encryption via plugins. 3proxy is cross-platform, running on Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, and Solaris. It can be deployed from source, pre-built binaries, or Docker images (full, busybox, minimal). The project has been actively maintained since 2002 and offers extensive documentation and community support.
Key Features
Multi-protocol support (HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKSv4/5, FTP, UDP)
Lightweight and low resource usage
Cross-platform (Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris)
SSL/TLS support via SSLPlugin
DNS caching and access control
Docker images available (full, busybox, minimal)
Plugin architecture for extensibility
Supports chroot and daemonization
Logging to stdout or file
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free and open-source with no licensing costs
- Very small footprint (tiny) suitable for embedded systems
- Supports many proxy protocols in a single server
- Available for multiple operating systems
- Docker support for easy and consistent deployment
- Long-standing project (since 2002) with active maintenance
Cons
- Configuration requires editing text-based config files (no GUI)
- Primarily command-line oriented, may be complex for beginners
- Some advanced features require understanding of networking concepts
Best For
Anonymous web browsing and privacy protectionBypassing geo-restrictions and censorshipLoad balancing proxy for multiple clientsSecure tunneling with SSL encryptionDeveloping and testing network applicationsSetting up a personal proxy server on low-resource devices (e.g., Raspberry Pi)
FAQ
What protocols does 3proxy support?
3proxy supports HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKSv4/5, FTP, and UDP proxying, including SOCKSv5 UDP association and BIND functionality.
Is 3proxy free to use?
Yes, 3proxy is completely free and open-source, available under the license specified in the repository.
How can I install 3proxy?
You can build from source, download pre-built binaries from the releases page, or use Docker images (full, busybox, minimal) available on Docker Hub.
What operating systems are supported?
3proxy supports Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, and likely other Unix-like systems.