Introduction

Setting up HTTPS for web applications has traditionally required tools like Nginx, Certbot, and scheduled renewals. Caddy simplifies all of this by providing automatic HTTPS out of the box.

This article introduces Caddy, explains what it does, and why it’s a strong alternative to Nginx—especially for Node.js developers.

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What Is Caddy?

Caddy is a modern web server and reverse proxy designed with security, simplicity, and automation in mind.

Its standout feature is automatic HTTPS, where TLS certificates are issued and renewed automatically using Let’s Encrypt.

Key Features of Caddy

• Automatic TLS certificates (ACME / Let’s Encrypt)

• Simple, readable configuration (Caddyfile)

• Built-in reverse proxy

• Zero-downtime config reloads

• Secure defaults

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Caddy vs Nginx (Quick Comparison)

Pros

• HTTPS enabled by default

• No Certbot or cron jobs

• Cleaner configuration

• Faster setup time

Cons

• Smaller ecosystem than Nginx

• Slightly higher memory usage

• Less control for extreme performance tuning

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When Should You Choose Caddy?

• You want HTTPS without hassle

• You’re deploying Node.js apps

• You prefer simplicity over heavy configuration

• You want secure defaults

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🚀 Continue Reading

➡️ Next in the series:
How to Set Up Caddy for a Node.js App