e2guardian
e2guardian is a free web content filtering proxy for Linux and self-hosted deployments.
What e2guardian is
e2guardian is a free web content filtering proxy for Linux and self-hosted deployments. It can operate as an explicit proxy, a transparent proxy, or an ICAP server. Administrators can apply different filtering configurations to different user groups, with domain and URL lists, deep URL scanning, and regular-expression rules for URLs, body content, and headers. Other listed controls include advert blocking, time-based blocking, referer exceptions, safe search controls, filtering schedules, and temporary click-to-acknowledge bypass. SSL inspection and scanning of downloads larger than 2 GB are also listed. Optional build features support antivirus and other content scanners, an NTLM authentication plugin, and email reporting; basic activity reports are listed. The project distributes the software under GNU General Public License version 2 and links to Debian and Ubuntu packages and an official Docker image. Its stable v5.5 release is identified as v5.5.8r, with the branch frozen except for bug fixes. Some v5.5 configuration files are not fully backward compatible with v5.4.
Good
- Supports explicit, transparent, and ICAP modes
- Different filtering configurations for user groups
- Includes URL lists and regular-expression rules
- Optional antivirus scanners and email reporting
- Free software under GNU GPL version 2
Watch out
- Linux is recommended; FreeBSD features are limited
- Other ports are untested
- Some v5.5 configuration files lack full v5.4 compatibility
Who it suits
e2guardian suits administrators who need configurable web filtering for different user groups on Linux or self-hosted systems. It may also fit deployments that need proxy or ICAP modes and optional content scanning.
Verdict
e2guardian offers a broad set of web filtering controls and deployment modes as free software. Check the platform guidance and configuration compatibility notes before choosing a release or port.
Plans and prices
From e2guardian's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| e2guardian | Free | GPL version 2 software |
The facts
Each one read from e2guardian's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Authentication
- The installation guide references an NTLM authentication plugin.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Compatibility
- Some v5.5 configuration files are not fully backward compatible with v5.4 configuration files.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Content rules
- The wiki says regular expressions can be used to deny URLs, body content, and headers.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Content scanners
- Optional build features include support for ClamD, AvastD, ICAP AV server, Kaspersky AV daemon, and command-line content scanners.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- The project recommends Linux and says features are limited on FreeBSD while other ports are untested.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The repository links to Debian/Ubuntu packages and an official Docker image.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Filtering groups
- The wiki says it can use multiple filter configurations to provide different levels of web filtering to different user groups.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The installation guide describes building from source with GNU autotools and the configure, make, and make install steps.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Large file scanning
- The wiki lists download and scanning support for files larger than 2 GB.checked 11 Oct 2026
- License
- The project is free software distributed under GNU General Public License version 2.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Maintainer
- The README lists Frederic Bourgeois, Philip Pearce, and others in its copyright notice.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Other filtering features
- The wiki lists advert blocking, time-based blocking, referer exceptions, and temporary click-to-acknowledge bypass.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Packages
- The README links Debian and Ubuntu packages and an official Docker image.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Product
- E2guardian is a web content filtering proxy that can run in explicit proxy, transparent proxy, or ICAP server mode.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- E2guardian is a web content filtering proxy that can run in explicit proxy, transparent proxy, or ICAP server mode.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Release
- The README identifies v5.5.8r as the stable v5.5 version and says the branch is frozen except for bug fixes.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Reporting
- Email reporting functionality is available as an optional build feature.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Scanner plugins
- The project wiki lists a built-in content scanner plugin system that includes antivirus scanning.checked 11 Oct 2026
- SSL inspection
- SSL inspection is listed as a feature.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The README directs users to a community forum and GitHub issues for bugs and feature requests.checked 11 Oct 2026
- URL controls
- The wiki lists domain and URL whitelists, blacklists, greylists, deep URL scanning, and URL regular-expression replacement.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Version caveat
- The repository says some v5.5 configuration files are not fully backward compatible with v5.4 configuration files.checked 11 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Installation and platform limits
- The installation guide recommends Linux, says features are limited on FreeBSD, and says other ports are not tested.checked 11 Oct 2026
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