Caddy vs Zeabur: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Caddy and Zeabur 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. Our overall Hosting & Deployment pick is WordPress.com. Our free Hosting & Deployment pick is Podman. Pick Zeabur if you need DevOps.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Caddy
Modern web server with automatic HTTPS
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Zeabur requires payment)
- • You want automatic HTTPS
- • You want simple configuration
Zeabur
Your AI DevOps Engineer handling all your infrastructure needs, so you can focus on coding.
Best for you if:
- • You want simple deployment
- • You want good DX
| At a Glance | Caddy | Zeabur |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Hosting & Deployment | DevOps |
Rating | - | - |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Caddy or Zeabur?
Choose Caddy if
Modern web server with automatic HTTPS
- You want a fully free tool (Zeabur requires payment)
- You want automatic HTTPS
- You want simple configuration
- Your work is hosting & deployment-shaped, not DevOps-shaped
Choose Zeabur if
Your AI DevOps Engineer handling all your infrastructure needs, so you can focus on coding.
- You want simple deployment
- You want good DX
- Your work is DevOps-shaped, not hosting & deployment-shaped
| Feature | Caddy | Zeabur |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Categories | Hosting & DeploymentServer Management | DevOpsHosting & Deployment |
In-Depth Analysis
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
- +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
Zeabur
Your AI DevOps Engineer handling all your infrastructure needs, so you can focus on coding.
Zeabur's pricing is quite generous, especially with the Serverless tier offering a $5 monthly credit, effectively making basic usage free.
Watch out
Overage fees beyond included credits
Strengths
- +Simple deployment
- +Good DX
- +Fair pricing
- +Active development
- +Good for side projects
Weaknesses
- -Newer platform
- -Limited features
- -Smaller community
- -Documentation improving
- -Still maturing
Key features
Pricing: Caddy vs Zeabur
| Plan | Caddy | Zeabur |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Serverless |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $5 Developer |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $80 Team |
| Tier 4 | N/A | Custom Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Caddy pricing and Zeabur pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Caddy is free. Zeabur is freemium.
Go with: Caddy
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has ratings yet.
Too early to call on ratings — compare on features and pricing.
Value user reviews?
Neither has ratings yet.
Too early to call — neither has ratings yet.
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Caddy is free. Zeabur is freemium. Go with Caddy if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Caddy is a hosting & deployment tool. Zeabur is in DevOps. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Neither has ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Caddy
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Zeabur
- Better fit for DevOps
The Bottom Line
Caddy wins this matchup. Our overall Hosting & Deployment pick is WordPress.com. Our free Hosting & Deployment pick is Podman.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Caddy or Zeabur better?
Caddy is rated in our evaluation. Caddy is free and Zeabur is freemium.
What are Caddy and Zeabur used for?
Caddy: Modern web server with automatic HTTPS. Zeabur: Your AI DevOps Engineer handling all your infrastructure needs, so you can focus on coding..
What does Caddy cost vs Zeabur?
Caddy is completely free. Zeabur is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.