Traefik

Self-Hosted

Modern reverse proxy & load balancer for microservices

Overview

Traefik is a modern reverse proxy and load balancer built for containerized/microservice architectures. It auto-discovers services from Docker, Kubernetes, and other orchestrators, updating routing configs in real time without restarts. It integrates with Let’s Encrypt for auto-HTTPS (cert issuance/renewal) and offers a user-friendly dashboard for monitoring. Deployable via Docker, binary, or Helm chart, it supports middleware (redirects, auth) and high availability. Ideal for DevOps teams, it simplifies service networking with minimal manual setup, prioritizing automation and control.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  traefik:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: traefik
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Auto-service discovery for orchestrators
Real-time config updates (no restarts)
Built-in Let’s Encrypt HTTPS
User-friendly monitoring dashboard
Seamless Docker/Kubernetes integration

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Traefik hard to install?

Traefik is easy to set up for basic use cases—Docker Compose or binary download gets you started quickly. Advanced setups (Kubernetes integration, middleware) may need learning, but official docs and tutorials are comprehensive.

? Is it a good alternative to Cloudflare Tunnel?

Yes—Traefik is a self-hosted alternative that gives full control over traffic (unlike Cloudflare Tunnel’s SaaS model). It offers auto-HTTPS and service discovery, ideal for users prioritizing privacy and on-prem control.

? Is it completely free?

The core Traefik reverse proxy is open source (MIT license) and 100% free. Paid enterprise plans exist for features like SSO or advanced support, but these are optional for most users.

Top Alternatives

Cloudflare Tunnel Search Google

AWS Application Load Balancer Search Google

Azure Application Gateway Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Web Servers

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (self-hosted control)
⊕ No subscription for core features
⊕ Auto-HTTPS setup with Let’s Encrypt
⊕ Minimal manual config for services
⊕ Supports multiple deployment methods

Cons

⊖ Steeper learning curve for advanced middleware
⊖ Limited caching compared to Nginx
⊖ Enterprise features require paid plans