Traefik vs Caddy: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Traefik 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. WordPress.com is our overall Hosting & Deployment pick. WordPress.com is our free Hosting & Deployment pick. Pick Traefik if you need DevOps.
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:
Traefik
Automated container proxy with dynamic routing and built-in Let's Encrypt
Best for you if:
- • You want cloud-native reverse proxy
Caddy
Modern web server with automatic HTTPS
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Traefik requires payment)
| At a Glance | Traefik | Caddy |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free Free plan | Free 100% free |
Category | DevOps Cloud & Infrastructure | Hosting & Deployment Server Management |
Rating | 4.6/5 G2 4.6 · Capterra 4.6 43 reviews | n/a |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Traefik or Caddy?
Choose Traefik if
- You want cloud-native reverse proxy
- You want auto-discovery for containers
- You work in DevOps, not hosting & deployment
Choose Caddy if
- You want a fully free tool (Traefik requires payment)
- You want automatic HTTPS
- You want simple configuration
- You work in hosting & deployment, not DevOps
In-Depth Analysis
Traefik
Automated container proxy with dynamic routing and built-in Let's Encrypt
Traefik's pricing model is fair, offering a robust open-source option for basic needs.
Strengths
- Pro: Cloud-native reverse proxy
- Pro: Auto-discovery for containers
- Pro: Let's Encrypt integration
- Pro: Good dashboard
- Pro: Kubernetes native
Weaknesses
- Con: Some features paid
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: Traefik vs Caddy
| Plan | Traefik | Caddy |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Open Source | Free Free |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Traefik pricing and Caddy pricing.
Key Takeaways
Caddy
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Traefik
- Better fit for DevOps
The Bottom Line
Caddy wins this matchup. WordPress.com is our overall Hosting & Deployment pick. WordPress.com is our free Hosting & Deployment pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Traefik or Caddy better in 2026?
Caddy wins this matchup. WordPress.com is our overall Hosting & Deployment pick. WordPress.com is our free Hosting & Deployment pick. Pick Traefik for DevOps workflows (main strength: cloud-native reverse proxy). Pick Caddy for hosting & deployment workflows (main strength: automatic HTTPS).
What are Traefik and Caddy used for?
Traefik: Automated container proxy with dynamic routing and built-in Let's Encrypt. Caddy: Modern web server with automatic HTTPS.
What does Traefik cost vs Caddy?
Traefik pricing is on their site. Caddy is free.
What's the main difference between Traefik and Caddy?
Traefik's main strength: cloud-native reverse proxy. Caddy's main strength: automatic HTTPS.