Algernon vs Nginx Proxy Manager
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted reverse proxy & gateways options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
Algernon
Small self-contained pure-Go web server with Lua, Markdown, HTTP/2,
VS
Nginx Proxy Manager
Easy reverse proxy management with a web UI and free SSL
| Feature | Algernon | Nginx Proxy Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Reverse Proxy & Gateways | Reverse Proxy & Gateways |
| License | BSD-3-Clause | MIT |
| Language | JavaScript | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,023 | ★ 33,804 |
| First released | 2026 | 2019 |
| Replaces | — | Cloudflare |
Why pick each one
Choose Algernon if…
- Released under the BSD-3-Clause license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (3k GitHub stars)
- Written in JavaScript
Choose Nginx Proxy Manager if…
- Beginner-friendly
- Free certificates built in
Frequently asked questions
Is Algernon or Nginx Proxy Manager better?
Nginx Proxy Manager is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Algernon if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Algernon and Nginx Proxy Manager free and open-source?
Yes. Algernon is licensed under BSD-3-Clause and Nginx Proxy Manager under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Algernon and Nginx Proxy Manager with Docker?
Algernon: yes. Nginx Proxy Manager: yes.