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.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Authelia
Open-source authentication and authorization server
Best for you if:
- • You need identity & access features specifically
- • Authelia is an open-source authentication server providing SSO and 2FA for applications
- • It works as a reverse proxy companion to protect internal services with access control
Caddy
Modern web server with automatic HTTPS
Best for you if:
- • You need hosting & deployment features specifically
- • Caddy is a web server with automatic HTTPS and simple configuration
- • It obtains and renews TLS certificates automatically with zero configuration
| At a Glance |  Authelia |  Caddy |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free | Free |
Best For | Identity & Access | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Authelia or Caddy?
Choose Authelia if
Open-source authentication and authorization server
- Open source SSO
- Self-hostable
- 2FA support
- Your work is identity & access-shaped, not hosting & deployment-shaped
Choose Caddy if
Modern web server with automatic HTTPS
- Automatic HTTPS
- Simple configuration
- Good performance
- Your work is hosting & deployment-shaped, not identity & access-shaped
| Feature | Authelia | Caddy |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Categories | Identity & AccessSecurity | Hosting & DeploymentServer Management |
In-Depth Analysis
Authelia
Open-source authentication and authorization server
Strengths
- +Open source SSO
- +Self-hostable
- +2FA support
- +Good documentation
- +Privacy focused
Weaknesses
- -Setup complexity
- -Self-managed only
- -Learning curve
- -Smaller community
- -Maintenance needed
Key features
Caddy
Modern web server with automatic HTTPS
Strengths
- +Automatic HTTPS
- +Simple configuration
- +Good performance
- +Modern and well-designed
- +Single binary
Weaknesses
- -Smaller community than nginx
- -Less plugins/modules
- -Some advanced features missing
- -Commercial license for some uses
- -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.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Authelia
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Authelia
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Caddy
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are free. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Authelia is a identity & access tool. Caddy is in hosting & deployment. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
Caddy
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Authelia
- Better fit for identity & access
The Bottom Line
Caddy is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Authelia or Caddy better?
Caddy is rated in our evaluation. Both are free.
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 completely free. Caddy is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.