Caddy
Caddy: A focused self-hosted proxy for automatic TLS, flexible configuration, and traffic routing. Ranked #7 of 33 in Reverse Proxy Software by our editors (8.3/10); pricing: Free plan; best for simple HTTPS-enabled self-hosted proxying.
At a glance
- Editor score8.3 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forSimple HTTPS-enabled self-hosted proxying
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Deployment modelSelf-hosted
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
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
Our verdict on Caddy
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 strongest fit is for developers and infrastructure teams that want simple HTTPS-enabled proxying without adopting a commercial software license. Broad platform support includes Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, API access, and self-hosted deployments.
Caddy’s configuration model is a notable strength for teams with different operational preferences. The human-readable Caddyfile supports approachable configuration, while JSON provides a native structured format and the RESTful administration API supports programmatic changes. The proxy also includes load balancing with active and passive health checks, WebSocket proxying with bidirectional tunnels, static file serving, compression, directory browsing, internal PKI, and compile-time plugin and module extensibility. These capabilities give it useful breadth while keeping reverse proxying at the center of the product.
Caddy is open-source and available without paid software plans. Its standard capabilities cover TLS termination, proxying, WebSockets, load balancing, and health checks, but response caching is not part of the standard distribution. Its focus is also narrower than a platform centered on web application firewalls or general request-rate limiting. Choose Caddy when self-hosting, automatic HTTPS, and configuration flexibility are priorities; consider an alternative when built-in caching or broader edge-security controls are central requirements.
Your product? Our editors can test Caddy in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Caddy pricing
Caddy fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Deployment model | Self-hosted |
| TLS termination | Yes |
| Web application firewall | Not verified |
| Response caching | No |
| Configuration method | Both |
| WebSocket support | Yes |
| Rate limiting | Not verified |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android |
| Compliance & security | PCI DSS, HIPAA |
| Support | Email, Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | caddyserver.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Caddy
- NGINXA flexible self-hosted reverse proxy with caching, load balancing, TLS, and protocol support.9.3
- HAProxy Community EditionA capable reverse proxy for teams managing high-volume TCP and HTTP traffic themselves.9.1
- Cloudflare TunnelA free outbound tunnel for publishing private services through Cloudflare’s edge.8.9
Caddy vs the competition
- Caddy vs NGINX
- Caddy vs HAProxy Community Edition
- Caddy vs Cloudflare Tunnel
- Caddy vs Traefik Proxy
- Caddy vs Nginx Proxy Manager
- Caddy vs Apache Traffic Server
Compare Caddy with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
Caddy is ranked in 2 of our directories.
Used Caddy? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Caddy for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
Caddy is listed in our Reverse Proxy Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/caddy/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/caddy.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
Last updated · How we research and update