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Head-to-head · Reverse Proxy Software

Apache Traffic Server vs Caddy

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Apache Traffic Server #6 in Reverse Proxy Software 8.4/10 Open source ✓ 4 of 5 features Visit site
Caddy #7 in Reverse Proxy Software 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Visit Caddy

Apache Traffic Server leads on 1 check, Caddy on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreApache Traffic Server · 8.4/10
  • Free planonly Caddy
  • Most featuresApache Traffic Server · 4 of 5

Apache Traffic Server scores higher on our rubric for reverse proxy software: 8.4 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #7.

Apache Traffic Server offers response caching; Caddy doesn't.

Apache Traffic Server is the better fit for caching-focused HTTP reverse proxying. Caddy is the better fit for simple HTTPS-enabled self-hosted proxying.

  • Apache Traffic Server fits best

    Caching-focused HTTP reverse proxying

  • Caddy fits best

    Simple HTTPS-enabled self-hosted proxying

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Side by side

Feature Apache Traffic Server 8.4/10 Visit ↗ Caddy 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.4 8.3
Ranking #6 in Reverse Proxy Software #7 in Reverse Proxy Software
Best for Caching-focused HTTP reverse proxying Simple HTTPS-enabled self-hosted proxying
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Open source Free plan
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Self-hosted
Platforms macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Support Email, Community, Docs Email, Community, Docs
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Apache Traffic Server 4/5 · Caddy 2/5
TLS termination ✓ ✓
Web application firewall Not checked yet Not checked yet
Response caching ✓ (best) —
WebSocket support ✓ ✓
Rate limiting ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment model Self-hosted Self-hosted
Configuration method Both Both
Our review
Pros
  • Supports HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2 in forward and reverse proxy modes
  • Combines response caching, TLS termination, WebSockets, and rate limiting
  • Plugin API extends HTTP processing and protocol capabilities
  • Automatic TLS certificate provisioning and renewal
  • Load balancing with active and passive health checks
  • Caddyfile, JSON, and RESTful API configuration
Cons
  • Self-hosted deployment requires administrators to manage installation and configuration
  • Rate limiting is provided through a plugin rather than a single built-in policy feature
  • Platform support is listed for macOS and Linux
  • Self-hosted deployment requires infrastructure management
  • Standard distribution does not include response caching
  • Focused on proxying rather than WAF or general rate limiting
Our verdict

Apache Traffic Server is an open-source, self-hosted HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2 proxy server designed for high-volume traffic. It supports both forward and reverse proxy operation, making it relevant to enterprises, internet service providers,…

Read the review →

Caddy is an open-source, self-hosted web server and reverse proxy for websites, applications, and services. It handles HTTP, HTTPS, WebSocket, gRPC, and FastCGI traffic, while automatically obtaining and renewing TLS certificates. Its…

Read the review →
  1. Apache Traffic ServerReverse Proxy Software 8.4Open source
  2. CaddyReverse Proxy Software 8.3Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Apache Traffic Server — where it wins

    • Supports HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2 in forward and reverse proxy modes
    • Combines response caching, TLS termination, WebSockets, and rate limiting
    • Plugin API extends HTTP processing and protocol capabilities

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted deployment requires administrators to manage installation and configuration
    • Rate limiting is provided through a plugin rather than a single built-in policy feature
    • Platform support is listed for macOS and Linux

  • Caddy — where it wins

    • Automatic TLS certificate provisioning and renewal
    • Load balancing with active and passive health checks
    • Caddyfile, JSON, and RESTful API configuration

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted deployment requires infrastructure management
    • Standard distribution does not include response caching
    • Focused on proxying rather than WAF or general rate limiting
  • Apache Traffic Server8.4/10 · Open source

    A self-hosted proxy for teams that need caching, TLS termination, and extensibility.

    Visit siteFull verdict →
  • Caddy8.3/10 · Free plan

    A focused self-hosted proxy for automatic TLS, flexible configuration, and traffic routing.

    Visit CaddyFull verdict →

More comparisons

All reverse proxy software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update