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Web Servers & Reverse Proxies comparison

Caddy vs Traefik: which should you self-host in 2026?

Pick Caddy for the simplest config file with automatic HTTPS and a built-in file server; pick Traefik for dynamic routing that follows Docker and Kubernetes labels.

Both are open source and run on your own server. Below: a side-by-side of license, stack and features, live GitHub activity, and our verdict on who should pick which.

Caddy

caddyserver/caddy

77k GitHub starsLast commit Oct 5, 2026

Powerful, enterprise-ready, open source web server with automatic HTTPS.

  • Apache-2.0
  • Go
  • Docker
  • Actively maintained
Caddy detailsDeploy guide

Traefik

traefik/traefik

65k GitHub starsLast commit Oct 5, 2026

HTTP reverse proxy and load balancer that makes deploying microservices easy.

  • MIT
  • Go
  • Docker
  • Actively maintained
Traefik detailsDeploy guide

Head-to-head

Caddy vs Traefik, side by side

Hand-checked differences first, then live numbers from GitHub, refreshed with every catalog update.

Caddy compared with Traefik
AspectCaddyTraefik
LicenseApache-2.0MIT
Language/stackGo, single binary with plugin modulesGo, single binary
ArchitectureWeb server and proxy configured by Caddyfile or JSON admin APIEdge router fed by providers such as Docker, Kubernetes and file config
Standout featuresHTTPS on by default, static file server, on-demand TLSService discovery, middlewares, built-in dashboard, TCP/UDP routing
Learning curveLow: short, readable CaddyfileModerate: routers, services and middlewares concepts
GitHub stars77,24365,081
Commits, last 12 months331846
Last commitOct 5, 2026Oct 5, 2026
Latest releasev2.11.7Oct 3, 2026v3.7.13Sep 4, 2026
Main languageGoGo
Official Docker imageYesYes
Repositorycaddyserver/caddytraefik/traefik

Swipe the table sideways to see both apps. GitHub figures come from the public API. Highlighted values are the higher of the two.

Verdict

Caddy is the easiest web server and reverse proxy to configure by hand: a few lines of Caddyfile give you HTTPS on every site. Traefik is the better choice when services come and go in Docker or Kubernetes and you want routes created from labels without editing a central file.

Best for

Choose Caddy for

Static sites and hand-configured reverse proxies with automatic HTTPS.

Best for

Choose Traefik for

Docker and Kubernetes clusters with frequently changing services.

Deploy either in minutes

Not sure yet? Spin up a small VPS or a managed instance, try both for a week, and keep the one that fits.

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FAQ

Caddy vs Traefik: FAQ

Still curious? Email info@appsgit.com.

Can Caddy serve static files?

Yes, Caddy is a full web server with a file_server directive. Traefik is only a proxy and router and cannot serve files on its own.

Does Caddy work with Docker labels?

Not natively. A community plugin, caddy-docker-proxy, adds label-based configuration, while Traefik supports it out of the box.

Which handles HTTPS better?

Both automate Let's Encrypt. Caddy enables HTTPS by default for every site with no extra configuration.

Which is more popular on GitHub, Caddy or Traefik?

Caddy has 77,243 GitHub stars against 65,081 for Traefik. Over the last twelve months Caddy received 331 commits and Traefik received 846, so Traefik is the more actively developed of the two right now. Stars measure interest, not fit, so weigh them against the differences above.

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