Caddy

Caddy is a modern, open-source web server written in Go that is best known for its automatic HTTPS feature. By default, Caddy obtains and renews TLS certificates from Let's Encrypt (or ZeroSSL) for every site it serves, with zero configuration required. This "HTTPS by default" approach eliminates one of the most common server administration headaches.

The Caddyfile configuration format is dramatically simpler than Nginx or Apache. A basic reverse proxy configuration that would take 15-20 lines in Nginx takes 3 lines in a Caddyfile. Despite this simplicity, Caddy supports advanced features including load balancing, health checks, dynamic backends, on-the-fly configuration via API, HTTP/3, and request matchers for complex routing logic.

Caddy includes a JSON API that allows real-time configuration changes without restarting the server. This is particularly useful for platforms that need to dynamically add or remove sites, update backends, or modify routing rules programmatically. The API-first design makes Caddy well-suited for automated hosting platforms.

For hosting providers, Caddy is gaining traction as a reverse proxy and load balancer. Its automatic certificate management eliminates the need for separate tools like Certbot or acme.sh. The single binary deployment (no dependencies) simplifies server provisioning. Some providers also use it for customer-facing application hosting, especially for Go, Node.js, and Python applications.

Caddy does not have the massive ecosystem of Apache or the widespread deployment of Nginx, and it lacks .htaccess support entirely. These factors limit its use in traditional shared hosting. Where Caddy excels is in managed hosting, container deployments, and as a reverse proxy layer where its simplicity and automatic HTTPS provide clear operational benefits.