GitLab Workhorse is a reverse proxy server that is designed to be used with the GitLab web application. It is responsible for serving Git HTTP requests and can handle SSL termination, request buffering, and other features that are necessary for GitLab to function properly. However, there are now many alternatives and competitors to GitLab Workhorse that offer similar or even more advanced features. In this article, we will explore the 10 best GitLab Workhorse alternatives and competitors in 2024.

1. NGINX

NGINX is a popular open-source web server that can also be used as a reverse proxy server. It offers advanced features such as load balancing, SSL/TLS termination, and caching. NGINX is often used by high-traffic websites and web applications, making it a strong alternative to GitLab Workhorse.

Advantages:

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  • Advanced features for load balancing, SSL/TLS termination, and caching
  • Often used by high-traffic websites and web applications
  • Open-source

2. Apache HTTP Server

Apache HTTP Server is another popular open-source web server that can also be used as a reverse proxy server. It offers features such as SSL/TLS support, URL rewriting, and load balancing. Apache HTTP Server is often used for hosting static and dynamic content, making it a viable alternative to GitLab Workhorse.

Advantages:

  • Advanced features for SSL/TLS support, URL rewriting, and load balancing
  • Often used for hosting static and dynamic content
  • Open-source

3. HAProxy

HAProxy is a free and open-source software that provides high availability and load balancing for TCP and HTTP-based applications. It offers advanced features such as SSL/TLS termination, compression, and content switching. HAProxy is often used in high-traffic websites and web applications, making it a strong competitor to GitLab Workhorse.

Advantages:

  • Advanced features for SSL/TLS termination, compression, and content switching
  • Often used in high-traffic websites and web applications
  • Free and open-source

4. Traefik

Traefik is a modern reverse proxy and load balancer that is designed for microservices and container environments. It offers advanced features such as SSL/TLS support, dynamic configuration, and automatic service discovery. Traefik is often used in cloud-native applications, making it a compelling alternative to GitLab Workhorse.

Advantages:

  • Advanced features for SSL/TLS support, dynamic configuration, and automatic service discovery
  • Designed for microservices and container environments
  • Open-source

5. Envoy Proxy

Envoy Proxy is a modern, high-performance, and open-source edge and service proxy that is designed for cloud-native applications. It offers advanced features such as load balancing, circuit breaking, and rate limiting. Envoy Proxy is often used in microservices architectures, making it a strong competitor to GitLab Workhorse.

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Advantages:

  • Advanced features for load balancing, circuit breaking, and rate limiting
  • Designed for cloud-native applications and microservices architectures
  • Open-source

6. Caddy

Caddy is a modern, open-source web server and reverse proxy that is designed to be easy to use and configure. It offers advanced features such as automatic HTTPS, HTTP/2, and virtual hosting. Caddy is often used for hosting static and dynamic content, making it a viable alternative to GitLab Workhorse.

Advantages:

  • Advanced features for automatic HTTPS, HTTP/2, and virtual hosting
  • Designed to be easy to use and configure
  • Open-source

7. Varnish

Varnish is a free and open-source web application accelerator that can also be used as a reverse proxy server. It offers advanced features such as caching, load balancing, and SSL/TLS termination. Varnish is often used in high-traffic websites and web applications, making it a strong competitor to GitLab Workhorse.

Advantages:

  • Advanced features for caching, load balancing, and SSL/TLS termination
  • Often used in high-traffic websites and web applications
  • Free and open-source

8. Pound

Pound is a lightweight reverse proxy and load balancer that runs on UNIX-based systems. It offers advanced features such as SSL/TLS support, URL rewriting, and session tracking. Pound is often used in small to medium-sized web applications, making it a viable alternative to GitLab Workhorse.

Advantages:

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  • Lightweight and runs on UNIX-based systems
  • Advanced features for SSL/TLS support, URL rewriting, and session tracking
  • Often used in small to medium-sized web applications

9. Squid

Squid is a free and open-source web proxy cache that can also be used as a reverse proxy server. It offers advanced features such as caching, access control, and SSL/TLS interception. Squid is often used in high-traffic websites and web applications, making it a strong competitor to GitLab Workhorse.

Advantages:

  • Advanced features for caching, access control, and SSL/TLS interception
  • Often used in high-traffic websites and web applications
  • Free and open-source

10. Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS)

Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) is a web server that is included with Windows operating systems. It can also be used as a reverse proxy server and offers features such as SSL/TLS support, URL rewriting, and request filtering. IIS is often used in small to medium-sized web applications, making it a viable alternative to GitLab Workhorse.

Advantages:

  • Included with Windows operating systems
  • Advanced features for SSL/TLS support, URL rewriting, and request filtering
  • Often used in small to medium-sized web applications

In conclusion, while GitLab Workhorse is a useful reverse proxy server for GitLab web applications, these 10 alternatives and competitors provide unique functionalities and capabilities in 2024. From the popular NGINX and Apache HTTP Server to the modern Traefik and Envoy Proxy, each software has its strengths. Consider your specific needs, budget, and desired level of features and capabilities when selecting an alternative to GitLab Workhorse, as each tool may better suit certain industries or application requirements.