Quick Verdict
Traefik is the better reverse proxy for Docker-heavy setups that need automatic service discovery and configuration-as-code. Zoraxy is the better choice if you want a modern, all-in-one GUI that handles proxying, SSL, GeoIP blocking, and basic network security in a single package with minimal Docker expertise.
Updated March 2026: Verified with latest Docker images and configurations.
Overview
Traefik is a cloud-native reverse proxy that automatically discovers Docker containers and routes traffic based on labels. It's the standard choice for dynamic container environments. Current version: v3.6.8.
Zoraxy is a newer, all-in-one reverse proxy with a web-based management UI. It combines reverse proxying with GeoIP blocking, basic DDoS protection, ZeroTier integration, and a built-in web file manager. Current version: v3.3.1.
Traefik is the established, Docker-native option. Zoraxy is the newcomer trying to be a Swiss Army knife for homelab networking.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Traefik v3.6 | Zoraxy v3.3 |
|---|---|---|
| Configuration method | Docker labels + YAML | Web UI |
| Docker auto-discovery | Yes (labels) | Container listing (no auto-routing) |
| Automatic SSL | Built-in ACME | Built-in ACME |
| Web dashboard | Built-in (read-only) | Full management UI |
| GeoIP blocking | Via plugin | Built-in |
| DDoS protection | No | Basic (rate limiting) |
| ZeroTier integration | No | Built-in |
| Web file manager | No | Built-in |
| Load balancing | Yes (multiple algorithms) | Basic |
| Middleware chain | Yes (extensive) | Limited |
| TCP/UDP proxying | Yes | Yes |
| HTTP/3 | Experimental | No |
| WebSocket support | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-host management | Yes (providers) | No |
| Plugin ecosystem | Yes (Traefik Hub) | No |
| Access control | BasicAuth, ForwardAuth | Basic auth |
Installation Complexity
Traefik
services:
traefik:
image: traefik:v3.6.10
command:
- "--providers.docker=true"
- "--entrypoints.web.address=:80"
- "--entrypoints.websecure.address=:443"
- "--certificatesresolvers.le.acme.tlschallenge=true"
- "--certificatesresolvers.le.acme.email=you@example.com"
- "--certificatesresolvers.le.acme.storage=/letsencrypt/acme.json"
ports:
- "80:80"
- "443:443"
volumes:
- /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock:ro
- letsencrypt:/letsencrypt
restart: unless-stopped
New services get routed by adding labels to their Docker Compose definition. No Traefik config changes needed.
Zoraxy
services:
zoraxy:
image: zoraxydocker/zoraxy:v3.3.1
ports:
- "80:80"
- "443:443"
- "8000:8000"
volumes:
- zoraxy-config:/opt/zoraxy/config
extra_hosts:
- "host.docker.internal:host-gateway"
restart: unless-stopped
Open port 8000 for the management UI. Add proxy rules through the web interface. Each new service is configured manually in the GUI.
Tie. Traefik is easier for Docker-native workflows (add labels, done). Zoraxy is easier if you prefer clicking through a GUI.
Performance and Resource Usage
| Metric | Traefik | Zoraxy |
|---|---|---|
| Idle RAM | ~50-80 MB | ~60-100 MB |
| With FastGeoIP | N/A | ~1+ GB (loads DB into RAM) |
| CPU (idle) | Low | Low |
| Written in | Go | Go |
| Binary size | ~100 MB | ~50 MB |
Similar performance for basic proxying. Zoraxy's FastGeoIP feature is a trap on memory-constrained servers — it loads the entire GeoIP database into RAM (~1 GB). Keep it disabled unless you have RAM to spare.
Community and Support
Traefik has a massive community, enterprise backing (Traefik Labs), extensive documentation, and years of production use. Zoraxy is a newer project with a smaller but growing community. Traefik's community support means more blog posts, tutorials, and Stack Overflow answers for troubleshooting.
Zoraxy's documentation is improving but doesn't match Traefik's depth. For complex configurations, you'll find more help with Traefik.
Use Cases
Choose Traefik If...
- You run Docker containers and want automatic service discovery
- You prefer configuration-as-code (Docker labels)
- You need a proven, production-grade reverse proxy
- You need advanced middleware (rate limiting, retry, circuit breaking)
- You need to route traffic for many services (10+)
- You want ForwardAuth integration with Authelia or Authentik
Choose Zoraxy If...
- You want a visual management UI for all proxy rules
- You want built-in GeoIP blocking without extra plugins
- You want ZeroTier VPN integration in your proxy
- You prefer manual, GUI-based configuration over labels
- You're proxying to non-Docker services (bare metal, VMs)
- You want a simpler tool without Traefik's learning curve
Final Verdict
Traefik for Docker-native environments, Zoraxy for GUI-first management. If your self-hosting stack is entirely Docker-based and you're comfortable with labels and YAML, Traefik is the more capable and better-supported option.
If you want a visual management interface and don't mind configuring routes manually through a web UI, Zoraxy offers a simpler experience with bonus features like GeoIP blocking and ZeroTier. It's particularly good for mixed environments (Docker + bare metal + VMs).
For beginners who want the easiest GUI experience, Nginx Proxy Manager remains the most established option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Zoraxy support Docker labels like Traefik?
No. Zoraxy can list Docker containers and use them as upstream targets, but routing configuration happens in the web UI, not through labels. You manually create each proxy rule.
Can Zoraxy replace Traefik's ForwardAuth?
Zoraxy has basic authentication but doesn't support ForwardAuth middleware integration with external identity providers like Authelia or Authentik. For SSO/2FA across self-hosted services, Traefik + Authelia is the established solution.
Is Zoraxy production-ready?
For self-hosting, yes. For high-traffic production sites, Traefik or Nginx are more proven choices. Zoraxy is actively developed and regularly updated but doesn't have the same battle-tested track record.
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