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SPECIFICTION
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Caddy

caddyserver.com

From $25/mo WebWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidAPI
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Spec score 8.1 #6 of 36 in Web Server Software

What it is

Caddy is an extensible server platform used as a web server or proxy, and it is self-hosted. By default, it obtains and renews TLS certificates for sites and redirects HTTP to HTTPS. Its reverse proxy supports HTTP, HTTPS, WebSockets, gRPC, and FastCGI, along with load balancing and health checks. Configuration options include JSON through a RESTful API, the Caddyfile, and other adapters. Compile-time plugins extend its static binary. DNS challenge integrations include Cloudflare, DigitalOcean, Route 53, and other providers through libdns. Caddy can run as a command-line process, system service, container, Kubernetes workload, or embedded component. The software is free, with no paywalled features; sponsorship plans add services and support while leaving the license unchanged. Free community help is available through a forum. Caddy says its TLS defaults meet PCI DSS, NIST, and HIPAA compliance requirements, and that dependencies are verified with Go modules and release artifacts are cryptographically signed.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Caddy is an extensible server platform commonly used as a web server or proxy.Read 2 Oct 2026 · caddyserver.com
Platforms
The maker lists Linux, Windows, macOS, and Android among the operating systems Caddy supports.Read 2 Oct 2026 · caddyserver.com
Deployment
Caddy can be deployed as a command-line process, system service, container, Kubernetes workload, or embedded component.Read 2 Oct 2026 · caddyserver.com
Integrations
Caddy supports DNS challenge integrations for providers including Cloudflare, DigitalOcean, Route 53, and dozens of others through libdns.Read 2 Oct 2026 · caddyserver.com
Security
The maker says Caddy's TLS defaults meet PCI DSS, NIST, and HIPAA compliance requirements.Read 2 Oct 2026 · caddyserver.com
Support
Free community help is available through the forum; paid sponsorship tiers offer private support and other services depending on tier.Read 2 Oct 2026 · caddyserver.com
Automatic HTTPS
Caddy obtains and renews TLS certificates for sites and redirects HTTP to HTTPS automatically by default.Read 2 Oct 2026 · caddyserver.com
Commercial model
Caddy says its software has no paywalled features and sponsorships provide services while leaving the software license unchanged.Read 2 Oct 2026 · caddyserver.com
Configuration
Caddy accepts JSON configuration through a RESTful API and also supports the Caddyfile and other config adapters.Read 2 Oct 2026 · caddyserver.com
Extensibility
Caddy can be extended with compile-time plugins, which are built into its static binary.Read 2 Oct 2026 · caddyserver.com
Release integrity
Caddy's dependencies are verified with Go modules and its release artifacts are cryptographically signed.Read 2 Oct 2026 · caddyserver.com
Reverse proxy
Its reverse proxy supports HTTP, HTTPS, WebSockets, gRPC, and FastCGI, with load balancing and health checks.Read 2 Oct 2026 · caddyserver.com

Plans and prices

Indie $25 a month $25/mo. Exclusive access to Expert Caddy Read 2 Oct 2026 · caddyserver.com
Indie Pro $50 a month $50/mo. Exclusive access to Expert Caddy · Occasional email support Read 2 Oct 2026 · caddyserver.com
Startup $99 a month $99/mo. Occasional email support · Free onboarding call · No professional services discount Read 2 Oct 2026 · caddyserver.com
Startup Pro $249 a month $249/mo. Occasional email support · Publicity · Triage priority · 10% professional services discount · Free onboarding call Read 2 Oct 2026 · caddyserver.com
Business $999 a month $999/mo. Team access to Expert Caddy and private development chat · Email support · Marketing · 20% professional services discount with 6 mo. commitment · Free onboarding call Read 2 Oct 2026 · caddyserver.com
Business+ $2,999 a month $2,999/mo. Limited dedicated support by email, chat, phone and video · Triage and development priority · Custom branches/patches · 35% professional services discount with 6 mo. commitment · Free onboarding calls Read 2 Oct 2026 · caddyserver.com
Enterprise $5,900 a month $5,900/mo. Limited stock · Limited dedicated support · Guaranteed response within 2 business days (excluding vacation) · 50–100% professional services discount with 6 mo. commitment · Free onboarding calls Read 2 Oct 2026 · caddyserver.com
Enterprise+ $11,900 a month $11,900/mo. Only 1 available · Dedicated support · Guaranteed response within 1 business day (excluding vacation) · Regular check-ins · Roadmap influence · Custom supply chain controls · On-sites Read 2 Oct 2026 · caddyserver.com

Every Caddy plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Obtains and renews TLS certificates automatically
  • Reverse proxy supports WebSockets and gRPC
  • Can run in containers or Kubernetes
  • Software has no paywalled features

Limits

  • Self-hosted deployment required
  • Response caching is not supported

Who it suits

Caddy suits operators who need a self-hosted web server or reverse proxy with automatic HTTPS and configurable deployment options. Its JSON API and plugin model may also suit teams that need programmatic configuration or extensions.

Verdict

Caddy brings automatic HTTPS, reverse-proxy capabilities, and several deployment formats in a free, extensible server platform. Paid sponsorships add services and support rather than gated software features.

Where Specifiction places it

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