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Head-to-head · Reverse Proxy Software

Caddy vs ngrok

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Caddy #7 in Reverse Proxy Software 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Visit Caddy
ngrok #8 in Reverse Proxy Software 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit ngrok

Caddy leads on 0 checks, ngrok on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCaddy · 8.3/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresngrok · 4 of 5

Caddy scores higher on our rubric for reverse proxy software: 8.3 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #8.

On deployment model, ngrok gives you Both where Caddy offers Self-hosted.

Caddy is the better fit for simple HTTPS-enabled self-hosted proxying. ngrok is the better fit for managed tunnels, APIs, and secure ingress.

  • Caddy fits best

    Simple HTTPS-enabled self-hosted proxying

  • ngrok fits best

    Managed tunnels, APIs, and secure ingress

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Caddy 8.3/10 Visit ↗ ngrok 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.3 8.2
Ranking #7 in Reverse Proxy Software #8 in Reverse Proxy Software
Best for Simple HTTPS-enabled self-hosted proxying Managed tunnels, APIs, and secure ingress
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan $10/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, Android Web, Windows, macOS
Support Email, Community, Docs Email, Tickets, Docs
Compliance PCI DSS, HIPAA SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, SSO/SAML
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Caddy 2/5 · ngrok 4/5
TLS termination ✓ ✓
Web application firewall Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Response caching — Not checked yet
WebSocket support ✓ ✓
Rate limiting Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Deployment model Self-hosted Both
Configuration method Both Both
Our review
Pros
  • Automatic TLS certificate provisioning and renewal
  • Load balancing with active and passive health checks
  • Caddyfile, JSON, and RESTful API configuration
  • Secure tunnels connect local or private services to public endpoints
  • Traffic policies support authentication, forwarding, and rate limiting
  • WAF rules, TLS termination, inspection, and global load balancing included
Cons
  • Self-hosted deployment requires infrastructure management
  • Standard distribution does not include response caching
  • Focused on proxying rather than WAF or general rate limiting
  • Free plan limits endpoints, transfer, requests, and team membership
  • Pay-as-you-go adds usage charges beyond its included allowances
  • Enterprise pricing uses per-device and per-customer pricing
Our verdict

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 →

ngrok is developer infrastructure for exposing, routing, and securing applications, APIs, services, and AI models. It connects local or private services to managed public endpoints through agents, APIs, SDKs, or Kubernetes integrations.…

Read the review →
  1. CaddyReverse Proxy Software 8.3Free plan
  2. ngrokReverse Proxy Software 8.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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

  • ngrok — where it wins

    • Secure tunnels connect local or private services to public endpoints
    • Traffic policies support authentication, forwarding, and rate limiting
    • WAF rules, TLS termination, inspection, and global load balancing included

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan limits endpoints, transfer, requests, and team membership
    • Pay-as-you-go adds usage charges beyond its included allowances
    • Enterprise pricing uses per-device and per-customer pricing
  • Caddy8.3/10 · Free plan

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

    Visit CaddyFull verdict →
  • ngrok8.2/10 · Free plan

    A broad reverse proxy platform for managed tunnels, APIs, and secure ingress.

    Visit ngrokFull 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