Nginx vs Traefik: Which Reverse Proxy Should You Choose?
Nginx and Traefik are two popular reverse proxies used in modern web infrastructure. While both solve similar problems, they target different workflows and deployment styles.
What both have in common
Both Nginx and Traefik can act as reverse proxies, load balancers, and SSL termination points.
- Reverse proxy and routing
- Load balancing support
- HTTPS and TLS termination
- Production-ready performance
Nginx: battle-tested and configurable
Nginx is one of the most widely used web servers and reverse proxies in the world. It relies on static configuration files and offers fine-grained control over request handling.
- High performance and low memory usage
- Explicit, predictable configuration
- Excellent for traditional servers and VMs
- Huge ecosystem and documentation
Traefik: dynamic and container-friendly
Traefik is designed for modern, dynamic environments. It automatically discovers services from Docker, Kubernetes, and other providers without manual configuration reloads.
- Automatic service discovery
- Native Docker and Kubernetes integration
- Automatic HTTPS with Let’s Encrypt
- Simple configuration for microservices
Configuration style
Nginx uses static configuration files that must be reloaded when changes are made. Traefik uses dynamic configuration that updates automatically as services start or stop.
- Nginx: Manual, file-based configuration
- Traefik: Labels, annotations, and providers
Performance considerations
Nginx is known for extremely high performance and is often used in high-traffic environments. Traefik trades some raw performance for flexibility and automation.
When to choose Nginx
- You want full control over configuration
- You run on bare metal or virtual machines
- You need maximum performance
- You prefer explicit infrastructure setup
When to choose Traefik
- You use Docker or Kubernetes
- You want automatic routing and HTTPS
- You manage many small services
- You prefer minimal manual configuration
Final thoughts
Nginx and Traefik are both excellent reverse proxies. The right choice depends on your infrastructure style: traditional and controlled, or dynamic and container-based.
