Forward Proxy vs Reverse Proxy

Posted Aug 15, 2026 · 4 views

A proxy is a stand-in: it takes a request for one side and hands back the reply.

A forward proxy stands in for the client. The client sends its requests through it, so the server only ever sees the proxy — never the real client. That is why it shows up as a corporate egress point, a filter, or a privacy layer.

A reverse proxy stands in for the server. The client only ever talks to the proxy, which fronts a set of real servers behind it — so those servers can be added, replaced, or scaled without the client noticing, and TLS, caching and routing all live in one place.

Same picture, mirrored. Which side it represents is the whole distinction.