Authelia vs Caddy: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Authelia and Caddy comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Caddy wins this matchup. 1Password is our overall Security pick. LastPass is our free Security pick. Pick Authelia if you need identity & access.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Authelia
Open-source authentication and authorization server
Best for you if:
- • You want open source SSO
Caddy
Modern web server with automatic HTTPS
Best for you if:
- • You want automatic HTTPS
| At a Glance | Authelia | Caddy |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free 100% free |
Category | Identity & Access Security | Hosting & Deployment Server Management |
Rating | n/a | n/a |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Authelia or Caddy?
Choose Authelia if
- You want open source SSO
- You want self-hostable
- You work in identity & access, not hosting & deployment
Choose Caddy if
- You want automatic HTTPS
- You want simple configuration
- You work in hosting & deployment, not identity & access
In-Depth Analysis
Authelia
Open-source authentication and authorization server
Authelia offers an incredibly generous pricing model as it is entirely free and open-source.
Strengths
- Pro: Open source SSO
- Pro: Self-hostable
- Pro: 2FA support
- Pro: Good documentation
- Pro: Privacy focused
Weaknesses
- Con: Setup complexity
- Con: Self-managed only
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Smaller community
- Con: Maintenance needed
Key features
Caddy
Modern web server with automatic HTTPS
Caddy's pricing is exceptionally generous, offering a fully-featured modern web server with automatic HTTPS for free.
Strengths
- Pro: Automatic HTTPS
- Pro: Simple configuration
- Pro: Good performance
- Pro: Modern and well-designed
- Pro: Single binary
Weaknesses
- Con: Smaller community than nginx
- Con: Less plugins/modules
- Con: Some advanced features missing
- Con: Commercial license for some uses
- Con: Less enterprise adoption
Key features
Pricing: Authelia vs Caddy
| Plan | Authelia | Caddy |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Free |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Authelia pricing and Caddy pricing.
Key Takeaways
Caddy
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Authelia
- Better fit for identity & access
The Bottom Line
Caddy wins this matchup. 1Password is our overall Security pick. LastPass is our free Security pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Authelia or Caddy better in 2026?
Caddy wins this matchup. 1Password is our overall Security pick. LastPass is our free Security pick. Pick Authelia for identity & access workflows (main strength: open source SSO). Pick Caddy for hosting & deployment workflows (main strength: automatic HTTPS).
What are Authelia and Caddy used for?
Authelia: Open-source authentication and authorization server. Caddy: Modern web server with automatic HTTPS.
What does Authelia cost vs Caddy?
Authelia is free. Caddy is free.
What's the main difference between Authelia and Caddy?
Authelia's main strength: open source SSO. Caddy's main strength: automatic HTTPS.