WinGate

Overview

WinGate is Windows gateway software that combines proxy, SOCKS, email-server and internet-gateway functions. It suits organizations that need to inspect web traffic and control user access from a WinGate installation. Its breadth is a strength, but the concurrent-user licensing and per-installation requirement deserve close attention before choosing a tier.

Key features

WinGate can intercept, cache and scan web content, including HTTPS traffic through inspection. User web access can be restricted and logged, while application rules and controls in both directions offer a basis for managing traffic. Kaspersky AV for WinGate scans traffic for malware and web browsing for exploits. These capabilities make it more than a basic proxy, though the licensed user count is based on concurrent connections rather than a simple count of accounts.

Central management is supported. A license is required for each installation, and an unlimited-user license covers only one installation. That distinction matters when planning multiple gateways: unlimited concurrency does not mean unlimited deployments.

Pricing

WinGate has a free version for up to 10 users and a 30-day trial; the trial is selected during product activation. Free support is provided whether or not a license is purchased. Paid licenses come in Standard, Professional and Enterprise tiers, with published prices billed monthly:

• Standard: 6 concurrent users for $109.95 a month, or 12 for $199.95 a month. These are the lower-cost paid options for deployments that can work within those concurrency caps.
• Professional: 6 users for $164.95 a month; 12 for $329.95 a month; 25 for $549.95 a month; 50 for $824.95 a month; or 100 for $999.95 a month. A 250-user tier and an unlimited-user tier have custom pricing; unlimited covers one installation only.
• Enterprise: 6 users for $224.95 a month; 12 for $449.95 a month; or 25 for $749.95 a month.

The free cap makes WinGate viable for smaller use, but it is limited to 10 users. Paid tiers raise or tailor the concurrency allowance; weigh that against the requirement to license every installation. Educational, not-for-profit and governmental discounts are offered.

Platforms

WinGate runs on Windows. Organizations that need a gateway host on another operating system should look elsewhere.

Who it's for

WinGate is a sensible fit for Windows-based organizations that want gateway, proxy and server functions alongside web-content inspection, user access controls and central management. It is less suited to teams seeking broad host-platform choice or a license that can cover multiple installations under one unlimited-user purchase.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Combines gateway and server roles with caching, content scanning and HTTPS inspection, reducing the need to treat web access control as a separate basic proxy function.
• Pros: Concurrent-user tiers range from a 10-user free version to an unlimited Professional option, allowing licensing to track simultaneous use.
• Cons: Each installation needs its own license, and even the unlimited tier applies to only one installation.
• Cons: Windows is the only supported platform, and Professional and Enterprise pricing rises substantially as concurrency grows.

Alternatives

For a wider category comparison, see Forward Proxy Software.

• Cloudflare Gateway is worth considering when platform breadth matters: it supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows, and its free plan covers 50 users with up to 24 hours of standard log retention.
• mitmproxy is a free, open-source interactive HTTPS proxy for readers who want that focused proxy approach across Linux, macOS, self-hosted, web and Windows environments.
• Privoxy is a free option for those who prefer software they can use, copy, modify or distribute without registration, accepting that it comes with no warranty.
• 3proxy is another free, open-source option for readers seeking freeware across Linux, macOS, self-hosted and Windows platforms.
• Skyhigh Private Access is a paid alternative for readers looking for an option that also supports Android, iOS, macOS and web.
• Squid suits readers who want free, self-hosted proxy software and are open to third-party commercial support.
• Zscaler Private Access is a paid alternative with broad platform support, including Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows.
• Check Point Harmony SASE is a paid alternative with a 30-day trial and support across Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows.

Verdict

Choose WinGate if your organization runs Windows and needs gateway functions, web inspection and user-level access control under one product. Its strongest case is the combination of traffic scanning, HTTPS inspection and configurable licensing by concurrent use. Look elsewhere if cross-platform support or multi-installation licensing flexibility is more important than that integrated Windows gateway setup.