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Caddy

Web server with automatic HTTPS.

What it is

Caddy is a web server that obtains and renews TLS certificates automatically, with a configuration file most people can read. Automatic HTTPS is not a module to enable but the default behaviour: point a domain at it and a valid certificate is issued and renewed without a cron job or a separate client. A Caddyfile for a reverse proxy with TLS is a few lines where the equivalent elsewhere runs to dozens, which is why it is a common choice for small deployments and internal services.

Caddy pricing

Caddy does not publish a plan ladder we could verify. Free.

Prices read from the vendor's own pricing page on 2026-09-09. Vendors change plans without notice — check the source before you budget.

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Key features

  • Automatic HTTPS

    Certificates are issued and renewed by default, with no separate ACME client.

  • Readable configuration

    A Caddyfile for TLS and reverse proxy fits in a few lines.

  • Single binary

    Ships as one static binary with no runtime dependencies to install.

  • Admin API

    Configuration can be changed at runtime over an HTTP API without a restart.

Strengths and trade-offs

What works well

  • HTTPS configured correctly by default
  • Configuration is short and legible
  • Single binary, easy to deploy

Where it falls short

  • Smaller community than nginx
  • Fewer third-party guides
  • Some advanced setups need plugins

Who it is for

Anyone who wants a correctly configured HTTPS server without ceremony.

Pick it or skip it

Pick Caddy if

  • Teams that want automatic HTTPS from a free, open source web server
  • Self-hosters who prefer a single binary over a package plus certificate tooling
  • Businesses that want paid private support, offered through sponsorship tiers

Skip it if

  • You require a contractual support SLA at a published price — sponsorship tiers are not priced on the site
  • Your organisation forbids depending on sponsorship-funded projects
  • You need a named commercial licence; the licence is not stated on the homepage

Our verdict

The easiest path to good TLS defaults. nginx still wins on ecosystem and examples.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Caddy cost?
Caddy is free to use. We verified this against the vendor's own page; see "What we checked" below for the date.
Does Caddy have a free plan?
Yes. Caddy is free to use at its base level.
Who is Caddy best for?
Anyone who wants a correctly configured HTTPS server without ceremony.
What are the main drawbacks of Caddy?
The trade-offs we noted: Smaller community than nginx; Fewer third-party guides; Some advanced setups need plugins.
When should you not use Caddy?
Skip Caddy if: You require a contractual support SLA at a published price — sponsorship tiers are not priced on the site; Your organisation forbids depending on sponsorship-funded projects; You need a named commercial licence; the licence is not stated on the homepage.

What we checked

  • Public APIOffers a documented API you can build against.Yes
  • Mobile appHas a native app for iOS or Android, not just a mobile website.No
  • Open source / self-hostableSource is open and the tool can be run on your own infrastructure.Yes
  • SSO (SAML)Supports SAML single sign-on on at least one plan.No

“Not checked” means exactly that — we have not verified it, and we do not guess.

Evidence and freshness

Status: Source listed, figures not recordedReviewed: 2026-09-09

  • Caddy — Home ↗

    Checked 2026-09-09 · Supports: Described by the vendor as "a free open source project", Sponsorship tiers exist and include private support and training

Limit: Vendor pricing page was reviewed by an editor on this date; this record is not a ToolCompare benchmark. Prices and limits change. No sponsorship or support price is published on the page, and the licence name is not stated there.

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