Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

LiteSpeed Web Server (LSWS) VS Caddy

Compare LiteSpeed Web Server (LSWS) VS Caddy and see what are their differences

LiteSpeed Web Server (LSWS) logo LiteSpeed Web Server (LSWS)

LiteSpeed Web Server Documentation - Server General

Caddy logo Caddy

The HTTP/2 Web Server with Automatic HTTPS
  • LiteSpeed Web Server (LSWS) Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-05-30
  • Caddy Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-07-22

LiteSpeed Web Server (LSWS) features and specs

  • High Performance
    LiteSpeed Web Server is known for its high performance and speed, especially under high traffic conditions. It uses event-driven architecture which helps handle thousands of connections with minimal resource usage.
  • HTTP/3 Support
    LSWS offers full HTTP/3 support, which is beneficial for improved load times and performance by utilizing new protocol advantages over older versions like HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2.
  • Built-in Caching
    LiteSpeed includes built-in server-side caching mechanisms such as LiteSpeed Cache, which significantly boosts loading times and reduces server load.
  • Security Features
    LSWS provides robust security features, including DDoS protection, support for mod_security rules, and features like reCAPTCHA for login pages.
  • Compatibility with Apache
    LiteSpeed is designed to be a drop-in replacement for Apache, and it is compatible with Apache configuration files (.htaccess), making migration smooth and easy.

Possible disadvantages of LiteSpeed Web Server (LSWS)

  • License Cost
    Unlike some alternatives like Apache or Nginx, LiteSpeed Web Server is a paid software, which means there are licensing costs associated with its use.
  • Administration Complexity
    For those unfamiliar with it, configuring and managing LiteSpeed might present a learning curve, especially for people accustomed to using free, widely-used software like Apache.
  • Limited Open-Source Contributions
    As LiteSpeed is not open-source, it has a smaller community of developers and limited third-party contributions compared to open-source alternatives.
  • Compatibility Issues
    While LSWS is highly compatible with Apache, certain extensions or modules may not be fully supported, leading to potential compatibility issues with some applications.
  • Resource Usage
    Although LiteSpeed is optimized for high performance, it may appear to utilize more resources than needed when not configured correctly, especially in smaller or low-traffic environments.

Caddy features and specs

  • Automatic HTTPS
    Caddy automatically handles HTTPS by obtaining and renewing certificates from Let's Encrypt, simplifying the process of securing web applications.
  • Ease of Configuration
    Caddy uses a straightforward configuration file (Caddyfile) that is easier to write and understand compared to other web servers like Nginx or Apache.
  • Cross-Platform
    Caddy is designed to run efficiently on virtually any platform, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and Docker, giving it great flexibility for deployment.
  • Built-in Reverse Proxy
    Caddy includes built-in support for reverse proxy functionality, which can easily be configured to distribute load among multiple servers.
  • Extensible
    Caddy supports plugins for additional features, allowing users to extend its functionality without compromising its core simplicity.
  • Integrated Logging and Metrics
    Caddy includes integrated logging and monitoring capabilities, which make it easier to maintain and debug the server without additional tools.
  • Active Community and Support
    Caddy has an active community and is well-supported with extensive documentation, which helps new users get up to speed quickly and troubleshoot issues effectively.

Possible disadvantages of Caddy

  • Memory Usage
    Caddy can have higher memory usage compared to other web servers like Nginx, which might be a concern for resource-constrained environments.
  • TLS Configuration Complexity
    While Caddy handles basic HTTPS automatically, advanced TLS configurations can be more complicated to manage and may require a deeper understanding.
  • Learning Curve for New Features
    As Caddy rapidly evolves and adds new features, there can be a learning curve associated with keeping up to date on the latest changes and functionalities.
  • Performance
    Although Caddy performs adequately for many use cases, it may not match the high performance of optimized setups with other web servers like Nginx in highly demanding environments.
  • Licensing Costs
    While Caddy is open source, certain features are available under a commercial license. Organizations may incur additional costs for enterprise-grade functionality.

Analysis of Caddy

Overall verdict

  • Caddy is generally considered a good choice for developers looking for a hassle-free, secure, and modern web server. Its automatic HTTPS and easy configuration make it particularly appealing for small teams and developers who need to deploy web services quickly without diving deep into server setup complexities.

Why this product is good

  • Caddy, available at caddyserver.com, is praised for its ease of use, automatic HTTPS configuration, and modern design. It features an intuitive configuration system and comes with a built-in SSL/TLS to automatically manage HTTPS certificates using Let's Encrypt. Caddy is highly regarded for its simple deployment, minimal configuration, and the ability to serve static and dynamic content efficiently. It also supports HTTP/2 and QUIC protocols, making it a future-proof choice for web servers.

Recommended for

  • Small to medium-sized web developers who require quick and secure web server deployments.
  • Developers who prefer automatic HTTPS setups.
  • Projects that benefit from modern protocols like HTTP/2 and QUIC.
  • Users looking for a straightforward configuration process with minimal overhead.

LiteSpeed Web Server (LSWS) videos

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Getting started with Caddy the HTTPS Web Server from scratch

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to LiteSpeed Web Server (LSWS) and Caddy)
Web Servers
11 11%
89% 89
Web And Application Servers
Application Server
45 45%
55% 55
HTTP/2 Web Server
5 5%
95% 95

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare LiteSpeed Web Server (LSWS) and Caddy

LiteSpeed Web Server (LSWS) Reviews

We have no reviews of LiteSpeed Web Server (LSWS) yet.
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Caddy Reviews

Self Hosting Like Its 2025
If youโ€™re looking to forego fancy web interfaces and prefer editing a straightforward file while having the server manage everything from proxying to HTTPS via Letโ€™s Encrypt, then this is the option for you. However, due to the absence of a web interface, I wouldnโ€™t recommend it for complete beginners. But if you appreciate simple UNIX-based tooling, Caddy is an excellent...
Source: kiranet.org
Top Linux Web Servers: Pros and Cons
Now that we know their advantages and disadvantages, which web server is the best? The answer depends on your use case. Nginx is a very fast and powerful option, Apache is a great general-purpose web server, while LiteSpeed represents a premium alternative. Caddy works great if you need simplicity, while Lighthttpd works best when resources are low.
Source: bigstep.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Caddy seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 250 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

LiteSpeed Web Server (LSWS) mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of LiteSpeed Web Server (LSWS) yet. Tracking of LiteSpeed Web Server (LSWS) recommendations started around May 2021.

Caddy mentions (250)

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing LiteSpeed Web Server (LSWS) and Caddy, you can also consider the following products

nginx - A high performance free open source web server powering busiest sites on the Internet.

Apache HTTP Server - Apache httpd has been the most popular web server on the Internet since April 1996

lighttpd - A secure, fast, compliant, and very flexible web-server that has been optimized for high-performance environments

Nginx Proxy Manager - Docker container and built in Web Application for managing Nginx proxy hosts with a simple, powerful interface, providing free SSL support via Let's Encrypt

Microsoft IIS - Internet Information Services is a web server for Microsoft Windows

webfs - webfs is a simple HTTP server for mostly static content.