Caddy vs Grav

What Caddy is

Caddy is a web server that obtains and renews TLS certificates automatically, with a configuration file most people can read.

What Grav is

Grav is an MIT-licensed, self-hosted flat-file CMS that stores content in plain files rather than a database and renders sites through PHP, Markdown, YAML and Twig. A graphical administration panel is optional and depends on additional plugins; operators still own server configuration, filesystem permissions, core and plugin updates, security settings, backups and compatibility testing.

What Grav is built to do

Flat-file content

Stores content in plain files and does not require a content database.

Markdown and Twig

Uses Markdown for authoring and Twig templates for presentation.

Plugin and theme ecosystem

Adds functions and designs through separately maintained packages.

Optional Admin panel

Provides browser-based content and maintenance tools when its required plugins are installed.

Choose Caddy if

• Anyone who wants a correctly configured HTTPS server without ceremony.

Choose Grav if

• Content sites whose structure and update rate suit files rather than relational records
• Developer-led workflows using Markdown, YAML, Twig and version control
• Projects that value a lightweight core and selectively chosen plugins

Skip Grav if

• The product requires transactional or heavily relational application data
• You need a fully managed CMS with vendor-operated infrastructure and recovery
• Critical features depend on plugins whose maintenance and compatibility cannot be verified

Caddy: pros & cons

• HTTPS configured correctly by default
• Configuration is short and legible
• Single binary, easy to deploy
• Smaller community than nginx
• Fewer third-party guides
• Some advanced setups need plugins

Grav: pros & cons

• No content database: Pages and configuration live in files, simplifying version-controlled content workflows.
• Small core footprint: Official requirements center on a compatible web server, PHP and required extensions.
• Flexible development model: Themes use Twig while plugins extend behavior beyond the core.
• Optional administration: Teams may edit files directly or install the separate Admin panel and its dependencies.
• Self-hosting responsibility: PHP, web-server rules, permissions, TLS, updates, logging and recovery remain operational work.
• Plugin dependency risk: Admin and many site capabilities depend on plugins whose support and version compatibility must be checked.
• Flat-file fit limits: Transactional, highly relational or write-heavy applications may need a database-backed platform.
• Admin is not core: The graphical panel requires the login, forms and email plugins in addition to the Admin plugin.