> ## 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](/gateway/cloud-endpoints/)**                                                       | **[Agent Endpoints](/gateway/agent-endpoints/)**               |
| --------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Lifetime**                                              | Always-on. Must be manually terminated.                                                                | Live as long as the [agent](/agent) process that started them. |
| **Connection Handling**                                   | Can be configured with [Traffic Policy](/traffic-policy/).                                             | Can be configured with [Traffic Policy](/traffic-policy/).     |
| **Configuration**                                         | Can be managed at any time via the [API](/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](/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](/gateway/endpoints) documentation.

### Protocols, binding and pooling

Both Agent and Cloud Endpoints support:

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

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

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

## Get started

* See the [Cloud Endpoints Quickstart](/getting-started/cloud-endpoints-quickstart).
* See the ngrok [Getting Started guide](/getting-started/) to set up an Agent Endpoint.