12 best Web Proxy libraries in 2024

Web Proxy libraries are a way to access the contents of a website without actually accessing the website itself. Caddy is a simple and lightweight proxy server for the browser.

The web proxy acts as an intermediary between your computer and the website, fetching the content for you and displaying it on your screen. Caddy is a simple and lightweight proxy server for the browser. Betwixt is a high-performance proxy server that supports both HTTP and HTTPS protocols. It is written in JavaScript and provides a secure connection between your application and the client. Mockserver is a mock web server for testing HTTP requests in unit tests with Node.js and other evented I/O based servers such as Twisted and Gevent. Some of the most widely used open-source Web Proxy libraries among developers include

caddy:  

• It is a modern, open-source web server with automatic HTTPS.  
• It is popular for its simplicity and ease of use, making it a popular choice for developers.  
• Its automatic HTTPS feature sets it apart, providing secure connections without manual configuration.

betwixt:  

• It is a web debugging proxy tool that allows users to intercept, analyze, and change HTTP.  
• It offers an interface for inspecting network requests and responses.  
• It is often used for debugging web apps by capturing and examining HTTP traffic.

mockserver:  

• It is a versatile tool for mocking and testing APIs. It enables developers to simulate server responses.  
• It supports request matching, response templating, and powerful expectations for testing.  
• It is particularly useful in scenarios where real API interactions are impractical.

lightproxy:  

• It is a lightweight, cross-platform proxy tool designed for simplicity and performance.  
• It supports HTTP interception and provides an interface for managing proxy settings.  
• It is suitable for developers seeking a straightforward proxy solution without unnecessary complexities.

proxy.py:  

• It is a pure Python proxy server that supports HTTP and HTTPS traffic interception.  
• Its simplicity makes it easy to set up and use for various testing and debugging purposes.  
• You can configure it to offer flexibility for customization.

shuttle:  

• It is a transparent proxy server for macOS that intercepts and logs HTTP/HTTPS traffic.  
• It simplifies the process of capturing network requests and responses for analysis.  
• Developers and network administrators use it on macOS. It helps with debugging and monitoring purposes.

titanium-web-proxy:  

• It is a .NET library for creating HTTP proxies with a focus on simplicity and flexibility.  
• It allows developers to intercept and change HTTP requests and responses.  
• It is suitable for various proxy-related tasks in .NET applications.

squid:  

• It is a widely used open-source proxy server that supports HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP.  
• It is popular for its caching capabilities, improving performance by storing accessed content.  
• It is often deployed in large-scale environments to enhance web content delivery.

Titanium-Web-Proxy:  

• It creates HTTP proxies with a focus on simplicity and flexibility.  
• It allows developers to intercept and change HTTP requests and responses.  
• It is suitable for various proxy-related tasks in .NET applications.  

miniproxy:  

• It is a lightweight, simple HTTP proxy server written in Python.  
• It helps with quick setup and usage. This makes it suitable for small-scale testing and debugging.  
• It is a straightforward choice for scenarios where a minimalistic solution is enough. 

stealth:  

• It is a command-line tool for creating simple HTTP proxies with a focus on stealthiness.  
• It aims to be discreet and efficient, suitable for tasks that desire low-profile proxy.  
• It is a minimalistic option for users who prefer command-line tools.

awslambdaproxy:  

• It is a serverless proxy solution that leverages AWS Lambda for on-demand scalability.  
• It allows users to create serverless proxy functions to handle HTTP requests.  
• It is particularly useful for scenarios that prefer serverless architecture for operations.

FAQ  

1. What is a web proxy library?  

It is a set of functions and tools. It enables developers to install and manage web proxies in their applications. It allows intercepting, modifying, and controlling HTTP requests and responses.  

2. Why use a web proxy library?  

It helps in various purposes, such as debugging, security, and performance optimization. They enable developers to inspect and manipulate network traffic. It clears the network traffic between a client and a server.  

3. How does a web proxy work?  

A web proxy is an intermediary between a client and a server. It catches requests from the client and forwards them to the server. It will be the vice versa for responses. This interception allows for monitoring and modification of the traffic.  

4. What programming languages does the library support?  

Check the documentation to confirm which programming languages this library supports. Common languages include Python, Java, C#, and JavaScript.  

5. Is it possible to handle HTTPS traffic with the web proxy library?  

Many web proxy libraries support HTTPS traffic. This allows the interception and decryption of SSL/TLS-encrypted connections. Achieve this by generating and using certificates.