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Caddy vs Nginx

Choose between Nginx and Caddy for your reverse proxy setup.

Quick Comparison​

FeatureNginxCaddy
Configuration Filenginx.confCaddyfile
Config SyntaxComplex, verboseSimple, concise
HTTPS SetupManual configurationAutomatic with Let's Encrypt
Container PortNGINX_PORT (default: 8080)CADDY_PORT (default: 8080)
SSL CertificatesManual managementAuto-renewal

When to Choose Nginx​

Choose Nginx if you:

  • ✅ Need maximum control and customization
  • ✅ Are already familiar with nginx configuration
  • ✅ Have complex routing requirements
  • ✅ Want to manage SSL certificates manually
  • ✅ Need specific nginx modules

When to Choose Caddy​

Choose Caddy if you:

  • ✅ Want automatic HTTPS with zero configuration
  • ✅ Prefer simpler, more readable configurations
  • ✅ Want Let's Encrypt certificates automatically managed
  • ✅ Are setting up a new deployment
  • ✅ Value ease of use over maximum control

Nginx Setup​

Starting Nginx Version​

docker-compose -f docker-compose.external-all.yml up -d

Configuration File​

Traditional nginx syntax with separate blocks:

upstream m3u_editor {
    server m3u-editor:9000;
}

upstream m3u_proxy {
    server m3u-proxy:38085;
}

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name _;

    location /health {
        access_log off;
        return 200 "healthy\n";
        add_header Content-Type text/plain;
    }

    location / {
        fastcgi_pass m3u_editor;
        fastcgi_index index.php;
        include fastcgi_params;
    }
}

HTTPS Configuration​

Manual SSL setup required:

  1. Obtain certificates (Let's Encrypt, commercial CA, etc.)

  2. Uncomment HTTPS server block in nginx.conf

  3. Mount certificates in docker-compose.yml:

    nginx:
      volumes:
        - ./nginx.conf:/etc/nginx/nginx.conf:ro
        - ./ssl:/etc/nginx/ssl:ro
      ports:
        - "80:80"
        - "443:443"

  4. Update nginx.conf:

    server {
        listen 443 ssl http2;
        server_name your-domain.com;

        ssl_certificate /etc/nginx/ssl/fullchain.pem;
        ssl_certificate_key /etc/nginx/ssl/privkey.pem;
        
        # ... rest of config
    }

Caddy Setup​

Starting Caddy Version​

docker-compose -f docker-compose.external-all-caddy.yml up -d

Configuration File​

Simple, declarative Caddyfile syntax:

{
    admin off
}

http://localhost:80 {
    @health {
        path /health
    }
    handle @health {
        respond "healthy" 200
    }

    handle_path /m3u-proxy/* {
        reverse_proxy m3u-proxy:38085
    }

    handle {
        reverse_proxy m3u-editor:9000 {
            transport fastcgi {
                root /var/www/html/public
            }
        }
    }
}

HTTPS Configuration (Automatic!)​

Caddy automatically handles SSL certificates:

  1. Update your Caddyfile with your domain:

    https://your-domain.com {
        tls your-email@example.com
        
        # Rest of your config...
    }

  2. Update environment variables:

    APP_URL=https://your-domain.com
    CADDY_SSL_PORT=443

  3. Uncomment HTTPS port in docker-compose:

    caddy:
      ports:
        - "80:80"
        - "443:443"  # Uncomment this

That's it! Caddy will automatically:

  • Obtain SSL certificates from Let's Encrypt
  • Renew certificates before expiration
  • Redirect HTTP to HTTPS
  • Handle OCSP stapling

Configuration Syntax Examples​

Health Check Endpoint​

Nginx:

location /health {
    access_log off;
    return 200 "healthy\n";
    add_header Content-Type text/plain;
}

Caddy:

@health {
    path /health
}
handle @health {
    respond "healthy" 200
}

Reverse Proxy​

Nginx:

location /api {
    proxy_pass http://backend:8000;
    proxy_set_header Host $host;
    proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
}

Caddy:

handle_path /api/* {
    reverse_proxy backend:8000
}

Health Checks​

Both configurations include health checks:

# Test health endpoint
curl http://localhost:8080/health

# Should return: "healthy"

Environment Variables​

Nginx Setup​

APP_PORT=36400
NGINX_PORT=8080
# NGINX_SSL_PORT=443  # Uncomment for HTTPS

Caddy Setup​

APP_PORT=36400
CADDY_PORT=8080
# CADDY_SSL_PORT=443  # Uncomment for HTTPS

Performance Considerations​

Both Nginx and Caddy are excellent performers for M3U Editor:

  • Nginx: Slightly better for very high-traffic scenarios
  • Caddy: Optimized out-of-the-box, less tuning needed

For most M3U Editor deployments, the performance difference is negligible.

Recommendation​

For new deployments, we recommend Caddy for its:

  • Automatic HTTPS
  • Simpler configuration
  • Zero-touch certificate management
  • Modern defaults

For existing Nginx users or complex setups, stick with Nginx for its:

  • Maximum flexibility
  • Extensive module ecosystem
  • Familiar configuration

Next Steps​