HAProxy Reviews

Name: HAProxy
Brand: HAProxy
Rating: 4.1 (47 reviews)

Vendor: HAProxy

4.1 out of 5

47 reviews
92% willing to recommend

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What is HAProxy?

HAProxy is considered by many in the industry to be one of the fastest and most popular and trusted software load balancer products in the marketplace today. Organizations are able to immediately deploy HAProxy solutions to enable websites and applications to optimize performance, security, and observability. HAProxy solutions are available to scale to any environment.

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HAProxy is the #2 ranked solution in top Service Mesh solutions, #3 ranked solution in top Application Delivery Controllers, #7 ranked solution in top Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Protection solutions, #8 ranked solution in top Bot Management solutions, and #14 ranked solution in top Web Application Firewalls. PeerSpot users give HAProxy an average rating of 8.2 out of 10. HAProxy is most commonly compared to Imperva Application Security Platform: HAProxy vs Imperva Application Security Platform. HAProxy is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 52% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 17% of all views.

Helped 879,259 peers since 2012

Featured HAProxy reviews

Shrinivas Devarkonda

Head of DevOps at TripFactory

I think HAProxy is good as it stands now, but I believe there could be improvements. gRPC has recently been implemented, which is great, along with TLS 1.2 and 1.3 support, and HTTP 2.0 is also available. However, I'm unsure about the benchmark of those HTTP 2.0 requests on HAProxy. If there were any other protocol with better performance than HTTP 2.0, or perhaps mTLS and other similar features, including that in HAProxy would be really great. For improvements, I think that during setup and configuration, the steps provided are neat and clear. Anyone can easily install and configure it. There are many kernel tuning parameters also available, which is great. For specific improvement, in terms of logging, I think printing the full object of the request may help, or if there's a way to reference two requests, it would be beneficial to find a complete session history from a logged-in customer, as it would help analyze customer and user analytics.

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reviewer2775702

Principal Engineer Manager at a manufacturing company with 501-1,000 employees

One needed feature for HAProxy is a more robust API Gateway, which still has limitations despite many validations for Kubernetes, especially around ease of use and persona-based designs for different user roles. The existing functionalities around load balancing do not focus enough on security or configuration management aspects. The reloading functionality is effective as it allows soft reloads without interrupting traffic patterns, but configuration management should improve significantly, especially concerning UI and GitOps principles for easier management. While RBAC is implemented, it is not sufficiently granular for controlling access privileges, which should improve over time for managing distinct features. A significant area for improvement in HAProxy is its tenancy model; managing multiple environments can be challenging, especially with mergers, acquisitions, or domain changes. It lacks centralized management capabilities for uniform configuration templates across regions. The tool should allow smooth version transitions and facilitate zero-touch deployments to streamline operations. Enhancements in tooling and integration with technologies like eBPF are crucial for HAProxy. The customer support aspect also requires improvement, as their SLA responses are often not immediate enough for users who depend on HAProxy as a primary tool. Documentation can be better, particularly regarding configuration templates and best practices that fit diverse requirements.

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Muhammad Choirul

Junior System Administrator & DevOps at a tech services company with 11-50 employees

HAProxy is already a robust solution, but there are a few areas for potential improvement, especially regarding configuration complexity. The configuration syntax is powerful yet can become overwhelming for newcomers; a more beginner-friendly interface or a native GUI without relying on third-party tools would ease the onboarding process. Built-in observability could be enhanced; while HAProxy features great logging and stats, utilizing Grafana, Prometheus, or external tools for in-depth insights is still necessary. Native service discovery could be improved; although dynamic scaling works, it generally requires DNS or runtime API scripting. More features in the Community Edition would be beneficial, as the Enterprise version contains advanced security, WAF, and bot protection that would be advantageous for smaller teams if included in the community build. Another area that could see improvement is documentation and onboarding resources. HAProxy's documentation is very detailed but can feel dense for newcomers, and finding practical, step-by-step examples often requires sifting through mailing lists, GitHub issues, or blog posts. More modernized guide tutorials and real-world playbooks would simplify getting started for beginners, so enhancing technical improvements to make HAProxy more approachable through better docs and a stronger community ecosystem would significantly assist in broader adoption. Additionally, an important area for improvement is tighter integration with cloud ecosystems, particularly AWS. Native AWS service discovery would be advantageous; currently, one usually relies on DNS or external scripts to register new EC2 instances in HAProxy, but direct hooks into AWS Auto Scaling Groups, ECS, or EKS would facilitate automatic joining and leaving of instances without added glue code. Furthermore, direct integration with AWS Certificate Manager or Secrets Manager could reduce manual steps surrounding SSL, TLS, and backend credentials management. Enhancing cloud-native integration, especially with AWS services, could significantly strengthen HAProxy's plug-and-play appeal in cloud environments.

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HAProxy mindshare

Product category:

As of December 2025, the mindshare of HAProxy in the Application Delivery Controllers (ADC) category stands at 10.4%, down from 12.8% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Application Delivery Controllers (ADC) Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
HAProxy	10.4%
F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager (LTM)	15.4%
NetScaler	13.8%
Other	60.4%

Application Delivery Controllers (ADC)

PeerResearch reports based on HAProxy reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Application Delivery Controllers (ADC)	Dec 29, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Dec 29, 2025	Download
Comparison	HAProxy vs NetScaler	Dec 29, 2025	Download
Comparison	HAProxy vs F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager (LTM)	Dec 29, 2025	Download
Comparison	HAProxy vs Microsoft Azure Application Gateway	Dec 29, 2025	Download

Valuable Features

HAProxy users highlight load balancing, flexibility, and high availability as its most prized aspects. They value the robust performance, reliability, and ease of configuration. Many appreciate its SSL termination and customizable rules. HAProxy excels in managing traffic with advanced algorithms. Its open-source nature and affordability make it appealing. The setup simplicity, effective logging, and protocol-level load balancing enhance user satisfaction. It effectively meets business needs, improving scalability and operational efficiency.

"We achieved 100% money savings and fewer employees with very little maintenance required."
"We have reduced a lot of servers, replacing them with one or two HAProxy servers which deliver better performance, accuracy, and an almost 100% success rate with requests coming from customers or other sources, and there are no loopholes, disconnects, or gaps in the entire data flow."
"We definitely saw fewer employees needed and money saved; we achieved 100% money savings and fewer employees with very little maintenance required."

Room for Improvement

HAProxy requires improvements in areas such as user interface, dynamic configuration, and API integration. Users find the GUI cumbersome and desire enhanced API functionality for runtime configuration. Documentation is extensive but dense, needing more beginner-friendly restructuring. Enhanced logging and monitoring, better clustering and scalability, and stronger cloud service integration are sought. Users also call for improvements in logging clarity, HTTP/2 support, and dynamic updates without service restarts. Enhanced security features and broader community edition functionality are also desired.

"I'm unsure about the benchmark of those HTTP 2.0 requests on HAProxy."
"A significant area for improvement in HAProxy is its tenancy model; managing multiple environments can be challenging, especially with mergers, acquisitions, or domain changes."
"An alerting system would be better as I need to check log files if any backend is down."

ROI

HAProxy provided an immediate return on investment due to its free licensing donation. Companies experienced cost savings by switching to open-source HAProxy from OEM solutions. Employees were reduced and operational efficiency increased with centralized SSL termination and automated renewals. Uptime improved from 98% to over 99.900%, reducing penalties. Organizations noted significant time and money savings with fewer staff needs and efficient traffic management, especially when transitioning from NGINX to Kubernetes.

Pricing

Enterprise buyers find HAProxy pricing competitive compared to alternatives like Citrix and F5. While HAProxy is largely open-source, and thus free, companies often invest in the HAProxy Enterprise Edition for enhanced resilience, viewing it as cost-effective over time. The setup involves minimal cost and effort, especially for those leveraging the open-source version. Licensing is straightforward, with community support readily available. Many appreciate the affordable pricing of HAProxy's paid solutions when needed.

"HAProxy is an open-source solution."
"The tool is open-source."
"The product is open source."

Popular Use Cases

HAProxy is primarily utilized for load balancing and reverse proxying of both internal and external web applications. It manages SSL offloading, Web Application Firewall functions, and high availability through technologies like VRRP and Keepalived. Users employ HAProxy for load balancing various application servers, databases, and traffic control. It serves as a front-end solution, redirecting requests and providing security. High-volume API gateways and Kubernetes Ingress controllers are also managed via HAProxy.

Service and Support

HAProxy customer service is efficient and quick, offering expertise in both technical and general support. Many found their interactions responsive, with issues addressed swiftly. Professionalism and knowledge are highlighted, though some faced challenges due to limited direct support for the open-source version. Documentation and community forums were often relied upon and seen as sufficient by users not opting for premium support. Improvements could be made in documentation and global shift communication.

Deployment

HAProxy's initial setup is often seen as straightforward, though those with complex requirements report helpful technical assistance. Its documentation is thorough and supports easy installation, but advanced configurations can challenge those unfamiliar with Linux or routing. Experienced users appreciate its scalability and flexibility. Some find initial deployment fast, while others need more time for complex configurations. Efficient technical support and community resources help users navigate the setup process smoothly.

Scalability

HAProxy exhibits exceptional scalability, efficiently handling diverse traffic loads. Users report smooth operations without major issues, even with thousands of connections. Enterprises achieve seamless load balancing by leveraging various servers. While some configurations may necessitate additional resources for optimal performance, HAProxy impressively supports vertical and horizontal scaling. It adapts to different environments, including VMware and Kubernetes, ensuring scalability and reliability. Although certain limitations exist with specific setups, HAProxy remains highly effective for businesses of varying sizes.

Stability

HAProxy is described as highly stable by users who report rare issues. Companies have observed no significant stability problems even under heavy traffic. Some experienced minor issues but often resolved through support. Enhancements and updates by HAProxy are appreciated, contributing to confidence during operational changes. Configuration-related issues were mentioned but didn't detract from its reliability. Enterprises commend HAProxy for its dependability, solid performance, and ability to handle server demands without crashing. Users give high ratings for its stability.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our HAProxy Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	16
Midsize Enterprise	13
Large Enterprise	11

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews
Company Size	Count
Small Business	278
Midsize Enterprise	187
Large Enterprise	496

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

17%

Financial Services Firm

11%

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

University

Government

Educational Organization

Healthcare Company

Insurance Company

Retailer

Hospitality Company

Media Company

Transportation Company

Outsourcing Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Pharma/Biotech Company

Legal Firm

Real Estate/Law Firm

Non Profit

Wholesaler/Distributor

Performing Arts

Construction Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Consumer Goods Company

Logistics Company

Compare HAProxy with alternative products

Learn more about HAProxy

HAProxy is an open-source product and has a robust, active, reliable community. The solutions are continually tested and improved on by the community. HAProxy offers a dynamic design to support the most modern architectures, microservices, and deployment environments (appliances, containers, virtual, and cloud).

HAProxy utilizes a cloud-native protocol, which makes it a complete solution for cloud services such as Red Hat OpenShift, OVH, Rackspace, Digital Ocean, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and more. It also can be used as the reference load balancer in OpenStack.

HAProxy Products

HAProxy One: This is a next-gen end-to-end application delivery platform created to secure and streamline modern application architectures. It offers a complete suite of solutions, such as application delivery software, turnkey, and appliance services observed and administered through a central control plane. The product supplies application acceleration, CDN, DDoS, bot management, WAF capabilities, and load balancing.

HAProxy Fusion Control Plane: This product enables organizations to streamline workflows, arrange traffic routing and security protocols, enhance the speed of delivery, and scale out of the organization’s applications. HAProxy Fusion Control Plane offers an intuitive user interface to observe and control the complete product lineup and API for administering numerous fleets of HAProxy Enterprise servers, either in the cloud or on premises.

HAProxy Edge: This product offering is an application delivery network (ADN) that provides a broad array of turnkey application services with amazing scale and complete visibility. Services include application and content acceleration, advanced security, and load balancing.

HAProxy ALOHA Hardware or Virtual Load Balancer: This product is a virtual load balancer or plug-and-play hardware constructed upon HAProxy Enterprise that is designed to support proxying at Layer 4 and Layer 7. It has a user-friendly GUI, simple deployment, and no limit on backend servers, making it a complete product for organizations desiring a reliable system to provide high-end load distribution for critical services.

HAProxy Enterprise Kubernetes Ingress Controller: This product is designed to facilitate smooth traffic flow into a Kubernetes cluster. It is able to automatically discover anomalies and changes in an organization's Kubernetes infrastructure and provide precise distribution of traffic to healthy pods, with no downtime caused by poor pod health or scaling changes. The product comes with an embedded WAF to optimize the security of an organization’s applications running in Kubernetes.

HAProxy Enterprise: This product is the enterprise-class edition of HAProxy offering a dynamic and sturdy code base with next-generation features, an enterprise suite of add-ons, professional services, and trusted support.
- Cluster-wide tracking and rate limiting
- Advanced DDoS and bot management
- Web application firewall
- Reliable expert support
- High performance modules
- Device detection and geolocation
- Real-time dashboard

Reviews from Real Users

“Having the right load balancing solution – which is what HAProxy is – and protection in place gives organizations peace of mind.” - Nathanel S., Platform Architect at SES

“I use HAProxy for individuals who can not buy low balancers. I built NFV in a box and send individuals a pathway into an HAProxy VM. The setup was not difficult; it usually takes a day to complete for a VPC. When it comes to pricing, HAProxy is free.” - Nasir O., Network & Cloud Architect at Koala Compute Inc.

HAProxy was previously known as HAProxy Community Edition, HAProxy Enterprise Edition, HAPEE.

HAProxy customers

Booking.com, GitHub, Reddit, StackOverflow, Tumblr, Vimeo, Yelp

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Imperva Application Security Platform	4.3	N/A	95%	133 interviews Add to research
Microsoft Azure Application Gateway	3.7	7.2%	79%	49 interviews Add to research

Author info	Rating	Review Summary
Head of DevOps at TripFactory	5.0	I've used HAProxy for over a decade to efficiently manage web traffic, and it's excelled in performance, scalability, and reliability. Its simplicity, logging features, and reverse proxy capabilities have significantly improved our infrastructure over previous Apache setups.
Principal Engineer Manager at a manufacturing company with 501-1,000 employees	4.0	I used HAProxy primarily as a Kubernetes ingress controller for scalable, cost-effective routing and WAF needs, but configuration management, UI, and support could improve to better support multi-environment setups and API gateway functionality.
Junior System Administrator & DevOps at a tech services company with 11-50 employees	4.5	I've found HAProxy to be a stable, high-performing load balancer with strong SSL and health check capabilities, though its complex setup and limited built-in cloud integration could be improved for easier onboarding and better cloud-native support.
Co-Founder, CEO at a tech services company with 1-10 employees	5.0	I use HAProxy as a scalable and efficient load balancer for our high-traffic e-commerce platform, and it reliably handles concurrency with minimal latency. Its open-source version saved us significant time, money, and staffing with minimal maintenance.
DevOps engineer at a tech services company with 1-10 employees	4.0	I've used HAProxy for a year to manage internal traffic across a Proxmox HA cluster, appreciating its simple setup, clear configuration, and stable performance, though I'd like a GUI and better alerting for backend failures.
Co-Founder at tenekit	4.0	I use HAProxy primarily for quick, small load-balancing tasks, appreciating its simplicity and speed. It's straightforward to configure, integrates well with Docker, and efficiently manages basic tasks, though enhanced documentation with diverse scenarios would improve its usability.
Manager server admin and security at Vivaconnect	3.5	In my company, I use HAProxy for TCP streams, specifically handling SMTP, SMPP, and POP3 services. While effective for traffic forwarding, it lacks robust logging and monitoring. HAProxy is cost-effective compared to high-end alternatives like DNS Made Easy.
Manager - IT Infrastructure and Network at a manufacturing company with 1,001-5,000 employees	3.5	I use HAProxy for load balancing and find it effective but challenging to implement and troubleshoot. The dashboards and reports need improvement to compete better with F5, HAProxy's main competitor in the market.

HAProxy Reviews

What is HAProxy?

Featured HAProxy reviews

HAProxy mindshare

PeerResearch reports based on HAProxy reviews

Valuable Features

Room for Improvement

ROI

Pricing

Popular Use Cases

Service and Support

Deployment

Scalability

Stability

Review data by company size

Top industries

Compare HAProxy with alternative products

Learn more about HAProxy

HAProxy customers

Related questions

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