AWS Application Load Balancer vs HAProxy
A detailed comparison to help you choose between AWS Application Load Balancer and HAProxy.
 AWS Application Load Balancer Layer 7 load balancer with path-based routing | HAProxy The reliable open source load balancer | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 4.3 (222 reviews)✓ | 3.6 (327 reviews) |
| Pricing model | usage-based | free |
| Starting price | Free tier available | Free |
| Best for | AWS teams building microservices architecture who need Layer 7 routing with AWS WAF integration | High-traffic applications needing the most reliable open source load balancer for TCP/HTTP traffic |
| Tags | ||
| Tags | api accessus datacentereu datacenterapac datacenter | free tieropen sourceself hostable |
| Visit AWS Application Load Balancer → | Visit HAProxy → | |
AWS Application Load Balancer
Pros
- + Path and host-based routing for microservices
- + WAF integration with AWS WAF
- + gRPC and WebSocket native support
Cons
- - AWS complexity
- - Pricing per LCU unit complex to estimate
HAProxy
Pros
- + Handles 100,000+ concurrent connections
- + Very reliable — used by Reddit and AWS
- + Free and open source
Cons
- - No built-in GUI — configuration is file-based
- - Less feature-rich than enterprise solutions for advanced routing
Stay in the loop
Get weekly updates on the best new AI tools, deals, and comparisons.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.