Best Self-Hosted Reverse Proxies in 2026
Quick Picks
| Need | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best for beginners | Nginx Proxy Manager | Web UI, point-and-click SSL |
| Simplest config | Caddy | Automatic HTTPS, minimal Caddyfile |
| Most powerful | Traefik | Auto-discovery, Docker labels, middleware |
The Full Breakdown
1. Nginx Proxy Manager — Best for Beginners
NPM puts a web UI on Nginx, making reverse proxy management accessible to anyone. Add proxy hosts, request SSL certificates, and configure access lists — all through a clean interface.
Strengths: Visual UI, one-click Let’s Encrypt, no config files needed. Weaknesses: Less flexible than Traefik/Caddy for advanced setups.
Nginx Proxy Manager setup guide →
2. Caddy — Simplest Configuration
Caddy has automatic HTTPS by default. Define your sites in a simple Caddyfile and Caddy handles everything — SSL certificates, renewals, redirects. No UI, but the config file is so simple you don’t need one.
Strengths: Automatic HTTPS, simplest config format, great for single-purpose setups. Weaknesses: No web UI, less feature-rich middleware than Traefik.
3. Traefik — Most Powerful
Traefik is the power user’s choice. It automatically discovers Docker containers and configures routes using labels on your compose files. Add middleware for rate limiting, authentication, headers, and more. It’s the most flexible option but has a learning curve.
Strengths: Automatic Docker discovery, powerful middleware, metrics dashboard. Weaknesses: Steepest learning curve, YAML/TOML configuration.
Comparison Table
| Feature | NPM | Caddy | Traefik |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web UI | Yes | No | Dashboard (read-only) |
| Auto HTTPS | Yes (click) | Yes (automatic) | Yes (with config) |
| Docker discovery | No | No | Yes |
| Config method | Web UI | Caddyfile | YAML + labels |
| Middleware | Basic | Good | Excellent |
| Learning curve | Low | Low | Medium-High |
| Resource usage | Low | Very low | Low |
How We Evaluated
For self-hosting, ease of setup and maintenance matters most. NPM wins for beginners because SSL certificate management shouldn’t require editing config files. Caddy wins for simplicity. Traefik wins for power users managing many services.
See also: NPM vs Traefik | Traefik vs Caddy | Reverse Proxy Explained