Reverse Proxy vs Load Balancer vs API Gateway: The Real Difference

A busy backend server can be overwhelmed by a sudden surge in traffic. To mitigate this, a Reverse Proxy can be placed in front to handle tasks such as SSL termination, static file serving, and security. This allows the backend server to focus on core tasks. Load Balancers and API Gateways serve different purposes, such as distributing traffic across multiple servers and managing API requests, respectively. Engineers should choose the right tool for their specific needs.