Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Apache Traffic Server VS A2

Compare Apache Traffic Server VS A2 and see what are their differences

Apache Traffic Server logo Apache Traffic Server

Fast, scalable and extensible HTTP/S 2 and 1.1 compliant caching proxy server.

A2 logo A2

Script is based on the PHProxy , A2 is a web HTTP proxy programmed in PHP meant to bypass firewalls...
  • Apache Traffic Server Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-29
  • A2 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-01

Apache Traffic Server features and specs

  • High Performance
    Apache Traffic Server is designed for high-speed caching and can handle large volumes of traffic efficiently. Its architecture allows it to serve requests with low latency, making it suitable for high-traffic websites and applications.
  • Scalability
    It offers robust scalability features, allowing it to manage multiple terabytes of data and scale up to handle many clients simultaneously, which is beneficial for growing businesses and expanding infrastructure.
  • Extensibility
    Traffic Server supports plugins and extensions, enabling developers to customize and extend its functionality to suit specific needs, which adds flexibility for unique requirements.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source project, Apache Traffic Server offers a free solution with a strong community support, allowing users to collaborate and contribute to its development and troubleshoot issues.
  • SSL Termination
    It provides the capability to handle SSL termination, which offloads the burden from backend servers, improving overall security and performance for HTTPS traffic.

Possible disadvantages of Apache Traffic Server

  • Complex Configuration
    The configuration of Apache Traffic Server can be complex, especially for beginners, which might require a steep learning curve and extensive documentation reading or seeking community help.
  • Limited Windows Support
    Traffic Server is primarily developed for Unix-based systems and has limited support for Windows, which can be a limitation for organizations that primarily operate in a Windows environment.
  • Community Support
    While it benefits from open-source community support, it may not have the same level of professional support or comprehensive documentation as some commercial alternatives, potentially leading to slower resolution of issues.
  • Resource Intensive
    When handling large amounts of traffic, Apache Traffic Server can become resource-intensive, which may necessitate higher hardware investments to maintain optimal performance.

A2 features and specs

  • Open Source
    A2 Freedom is open-source software, which means that anyone can inspect, modify, and enhance the code. This transparency can lead to improved security, more reliable software, and community-driven improvements and updates.
  • Cost
    As an open-source project, A2 Freedom is free to use, which makes it accessible to individuals and organizations with limited budgets, including educational institutions and startups.
  • User Community
    A2 Freedom has a community of users and developers who can provide support, share tips, and contribute to further development, which can be a valuable resource for troubleshooting and enhancements.

Possible disadvantages of A2

  • Limited Support
    Open-source projects often lack the professional support and customer service provided by commercial software developers. Users may need to rely on community support, which may not always be timely or sufficient for critical issues.
  • Development Resources
    The development of open-source projects like A2 Freedom is often dependent on voluntary contributions. This can result in slower update cycles and inconsistent feature development compared to commercial software.
  • Usability
    Open-source software may not always prioritize user-friendly interfaces or comprehensive documentation, which can make it challenging for non-technical users to install and operate effectively without prior technical knowledge.

Apache Traffic Server videos

Transparent HTTP proxying with Apache Traffic Server

More videos:

  • Review - Yahoo's Adventure with Apache Traffic Server - Shu Kit Chan, Vijay Prashanth Hosahithlu

A2 videos

The Xiaomi Mi A2 is a crazy good deal...

More videos:

  • Review - Xiaomi Mi A2 Review
  • Review - Audi A2 Review: Celebrating 20 years of the aluminium supermini | CarGurus UK

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Apache Traffic Server and A2)
Proxy Server
74 74%
26% 26
VPN
0 0%
100% 100
Proxy
100 100%
0% 0
Security & Privacy
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Apache Traffic Server seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 6 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Apache Traffic Server mentions (6)

  • API Caching: Techniques for Better Performance
    Apache Traffic Server — A free, fast, and scalable HTTP caching system that improves network efficiency. It supports forward and reverse proxy caching and is configurable to run simultaneously on either or both options. It also provides authentication and basic authorization through plugins. - Source: dev.to / 7 months ago
  • Wikipedia now has up to 1000X reduction of ATS disk read latency at the p999
    Apache Traffic Server: https://trafficserver.apache.org/ Here’s how they use it along with Varnish: https://wikitech.wikimedia.org/wiki/Caching_overview. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • How does Content delivery/distribution network work?
    The LARGE majority of CDNs use either Apache Traffic Server (https://trafficserver.apache.org/) or Nginx for their cache webserver, so the mechanisms used are pretty easy to find if you look through the docs. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Using Nginx as an Object Storage Gateway
    Apache Traffic Server (no relation to Apache itself) would be an excellent option: https://trafficserver.apache.org/. - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
  • Build a CDN in about 5 hours
    We have choices. We could use Varnish (scripting! Edge side includes! PHK blog posts!). We could use Apache Traffic Server (being the only new team this year to use ATS!). Or we could use NGINX (we're already running it!). The only certainty is that you'll come to hate whichever one you pick. Try them all and pick the one you hate the least. - Source: dev.to / almost 4 years ago
View more

A2 mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of A2 yet. Tracking of A2 recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Apache Traffic Server and A2, you can also consider the following products

Squid Proxy - Website Content Acceleration and Distribution. Thousands of web-sites around the Internet use Squid to drastically increase their content delivery. Squid can reduce your server load and improve delivery speeds to clients.

PHP-Proxy - A web proxy script written in PHP and created as an alternative to Glype.

3proxy - 3proxy freeware proxy server for Windows and Unix. HTTP, SOCKS, FTP, POP3

Censor Dodge - The fastest and most up-to-date web proxy on the market.

CCProxy - Want to share Internet connection? Get every computer online through a single Internet connection?

CGIProxy - CGIProxy acts as an HTTP, HTTPS, or FTP proxy through it, the user can retrieve any resource that is accessible from the server.