> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://ngrok.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Endpoint Types

> Learn about ngrok's Cloud and Agent endpoints.

Endpoints have a **type**, which can be either `agent` or `cloud`.

## Cloud Endpoints versus Agent Endpoints

In general, Cloud Endpoints are the most flexible option, but which endpoint type you should choose depends on your use-case. The following table outlines the differences between Cloud and Agent endpoints.

| | **[Cloud Endpoints](/docs/gateway/endpoints/cloud-endpoints/)** | **[Agent Endpoints](/docs/gateway/endpoints/agent-endpoints/)** |
| - | - | - |
| **Lifetime** | Always-on. Must be manually terminated. | Live as long as the [agent](/docs/agent) process that started them. |
| **Connection Handling** | Can be configured with [Traffic Policy](/docs/gateway/traffic-policy/). | Can be configured with [Traffic Policy](/docs/gateway/traffic-policy/). |
| **Configuration** | Can be managed at any time via the [API](/docs/api/) or [dashboard](https://dashboard.ngrok.com/endpoints). | Managed by the agent that initiates them. |
| **Dashboard accessibility** | Can be created and configured from the dashboard. | Read-only in the dashboard. |
| **Can use ephemeral domains?** | **No**. Must be provided a fully qualified URL on creation. | **Yes**. ngrok can generate a URL for you on creation. |
| **Traffic Policy required?** | **Yes**. | **No**, but you can provide one if you'd like. |
| **Globally available** | **Yes**. | **Yes**. |
| **Can be managed with [the API](/docs/api/)?** | **Yes**. | Yes, with the agent api. |
| **[Pricing options](https://ngrok.com/pricing?ref=docs)** | Available on paid plans. | Available on all plans. |

Learn more in the [Endpoints](/docs/endpoints) documentation.

### Protocols, binding, and pooling

Both Agent and Cloud Endpoints support:

* All [Endpoint Protocols](/docs/gateway/endpoints/protocols/)
  * `http/https`
  * `tcp`
  * `tls`

* All [Endpoint Bindings](/docs/gateway/endpoints/bindings/)
  * `public`
  * `internal`
  * `kubernetes`

* [Endpoint Pooling](/docs/gateway/endpoints/endpoint-pooling/). You can also pool Agent Endpoints with Cloud Endpoints.

## Get started

* See the [Cloud Endpoints Quickstart](/docs/getting-started/cloud-endpoints-quickstart).
* See the ngrok [Agent CLI Quickstart](/docs/gateway/endpoints/agent-cli-quickstart/) to set up an Agent Endpoint.


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