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Caddy

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Modern web server with automatic HTTPS

Hosting & DeploymentServer ManagementSecurity
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Reviews onG2
3 reviews tracked

The Bottom Line

Entry price

Free, no paid tier

Biggest pro

Automatic HTTPS

Biggest con

Smaller community than nginx

TL;DR - Caddy

  • Caddy is a web server with automatic HTTPS and simple configuration
  • It obtains and renews TLS certificates automatically with zero configuration
  • Free and open-source
Pricing: Free forever
Best for: Individuals & startups

What is Caddy?

Editorial review
Caddy serves websites with automatic HTTPS. No certificate management, no complex configuration-point Caddy at your site, and it handles SSL certificates, renewals, and redirects automatically. The config file is human-readable. The defaults are sensible. When you need more, the module system extends capabilities. Developers tired of Apache and Nginx configuration complexity choose Caddy for a web server that does the right thing by default.

Available on: Web, Windows, macOS, Linux

how we evaluateSourcecaddyserver.com ↗

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Automatic HTTPS
  • Simple configuration
  • Good performance
  • Modern and well-designed
  • Single binary

Cons

  • Smaller community than nginx
  • Less plugins/modules
  • Some advanced features missing
  • Commercial license for some uses
  • Less enterprise adoption

Ratings Across the Web

3.2(3 reviews)
G23 reviews
3.2/5

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Key Features

Web serverAutomatic HTTPSReverse proxyHTTP/3Config APIOpen source

Pricing Plans

Pricing checked Jul 11, 2026

Most Popular

Free

Free

Open source

  • Automatic HTTPS
  • HTTP/3
  • Reverse proxy
  • No enterprise paywall
Calculate your costView full pricing

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Best Caddy Alternatives

Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.

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CloudwaysPaid

Managed cloud hosting platform

4.7
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NginxFreemium

High-performance web server, reverse proxy, and load balancer

4.5
Northflank logo
NorthflankFreemium

Deploy any project in seconds, in our cloud or yours, with a comprehensive developer platform.

4.9
Cleavr logo
CleavrPaid

Server management for modern apps

Zeabur logo
ZeaburFreemium

Your AI DevOps Engineer handling all your infrastructure needs, so you can focus on coding.

See all hosting & deployment tools →

Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

Caddy vs CloudwaysHead-to-head: features, pricing, who winsCaddy vs NginxHead-to-head: features, pricing, who winsCaddy vs NorthflankHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins

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Caddy FAQ

How does Caddy simplify website deployment and security?

Caddy serves websites with automatic HTTPS, handling SSL certificates, renewals, and redirects automatically. This eliminates the need for manual certificate management and complex configuration, streamlining the deployment process.

What kind of user benefits most from Caddy?

Developers who are frustrated with the complexity of configuring traditional web servers like Apache and Nginx will find Caddy beneficial. It is designed for those who prefer a web server that offers sensible defaults and automatic HTTPS.

How is Caddy priced?

Caddy is free to use, meaning there is no paid plan required to utilize its core functionalities. However, some specific uses may require a commercial license.

Which teams would find Caddy suitable for their infrastructure?

Teams focused on Hosting & Deployment, Server Management, and Security would find Caddy suitable. Its automatic HTTPS and simple configuration streamline operations for web serving.

Can Caddy's capabilities be extended beyond its core features?

Yes, Caddy's capabilities can be extended through its module system when more advanced functionalities are needed. This allows users to customize and expand its features beyond the sensible defaults.

How does Caddy compare to Nginx for web serving?

Caddy offers automatic HTTPS and simpler, human-readable configuration compared to Nginx, which is often chosen for its extensive plugin ecosystem and larger community. While Nginx has more enterprise adoption, Caddy focuses on ease of use and modern design.

What are the main trade-offs when choosing Caddy?

The main trade-offs when choosing Caddy include a smaller community and fewer available plugins/modules compared to more established servers. Additionally, some advanced features might be missing, and certain uses may require a commercial license.

Source: caddyserver.com

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