Nginx Proxy Manager

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What Nginx Proxy Manager is

Nginx Proxy Manager is self-hosted software for routing web services, including services on a home network. Its web interface lets users configure forwarding domains, redirections, streams, and 404 hosts without needing to know Nginx. It uses Certbot to issue and renew Let’s Encrypt certificates, and users can supply custom SSL certificates. Access controls include access lists, basic HTTP authentication, user management, permissions, and an audit log. Advanced users can add custom Nginx configuration snippets. The admin interface is based on Tabler and is available on port 81 by default. Setup instructions cover SQLite and external MySQL, MariaDB, or PostgreSQL databases. The project is free, open source, and released under the MIT License. Docker is required for deployment. Current setup instructions list amd64 and arm64; armv7 is unsupported from version 2.14 onward. It also supports TLS termination, response caching, and WebSockets, with configuration through both the interface and configuration files.

Who it suits

It suits people managing web services on a home network who want a graphical way to set up reverse proxying and SSL termination. Advanced users can add custom Nginx snippets, while beginners can configure common proxy options through the interface.

What it does well

Free and open source under the MIT License
Issues and renews Let’s Encrypt certificates
Includes access lists and an audit log
Supports TLS termination, caching, and WebSockets

What to know first

Docker is required for deployment
armv7 is unsupported from version 2.14 onward
DNS plugins vary in support and testing
Multiple DNS providers may cause Python dependency conflicts

Limits

Docker is mandatory, and current setup instructions support amd64 and arm64 only; armv7 is unsupported in version 2.14 and later. DNS plugin support and testing vary, and multiple DNS providers may create Python dependency conflicts.

Getting started

Install Docker on a supported self-hosted system
Deploy the Nginx Proxy Manager Docker image
Open the admin interface on port 81 by default
Choose SQLite or configure MySQL, MariaDB, or PostgreSQL
Create forwarding domains, redirections, streams, or 404 hosts
Request Let’s Encrypt certificates or provide custom certificates

Verdict

Nginx Proxy Manager brings common proxy setup and certificate management into a web interface, with additional access controls and configuration options. Check Docker and architecture requirements, and review DNS plugin limitations if your setup depends on them.

Questions

Is Nginx Proxy Manager free?

Yes. It is free, open source, and released under the MIT License.

What platforms does it support?

It runs on Linux as a self-hosted web application and is packaged as a Docker image.

Is Docker required?

Yes. The project says Docker is required because that is how it is packaged.

Which databases can it use?

Setup instructions cover SQLite, MySQL, MariaDB, and PostgreSQL configurations.

Can it manage SSL certificates?

It can issue and renew free Let’s Encrypt certificates through Certbot and accepts custom SSL certificates.

What architectures are supported?

Current setup instructions list amd64 and arm64. Armv7 is no longer supported in version 2.14 and later.

Facts from Nginx Proxy Manager's own pages

Access controls: It offers access lists, basic HTTP authentication, user management, permissions, and an audit log. · nginxproxymanager.com, 11 Oct 2026
Admin interface: The admin interface is based on Tabler and is accessed on port 81 by default. · nginxproxymanager.com, 10 Oct 2026
Advanced configuration: Advanced users can add custom Nginx configuration snippets. · nginxproxymanager.com, 11 Oct 2026
Database options: Setup instructions cover SQLite and external MySQL/MariaDB or PostgreSQL databases. · nginxproxymanager.com, 11 Oct 2026
Databases: The setup instructions show SQLite and configurations using MySQL, MariaDB, or PostgreSQL. · nginxproxymanager.com, 10 Oct 2026
Deployment requirement: The project is packaged as a Docker image and its FAQ says Docker is required. · nginxproxymanager.com, 11 Oct 2026
DNS plugin limitations: The documentation warns that DNS plugins vary in support and testing, and that using multiple DNS providers in one instance may cause Python dependency conflicts. · nginxproxymanager.com, 10 Oct 2026
Integrations: The project lists Home Assistant, UnRaid/Synology, Proxmox scripts, and other community integrations, and says integrations are unsupported unless their documentation specifically says otherwise. · nginxproxymanager.com, 11 Oct 2026
Intended audience: The project describes itself as designed for home networks and aims to make reverse proxying with SSL termination accessible to beginners. · nginxproxymanager.com, 10 Oct 2026
License: Nginx Proxy Manager is released under the MIT License. · nginxproxymanager.com, 11 Oct 2026
Proxy configuration: Its interface can create forwarding domains, redirections, streams, and 404 hosts without requiring users to know Nginx. · nginxproxymanager.com, 10 Oct 2026
Proxy options: The interface can create forwarding domains, redirections, streams, and 404 hosts without requiring users to know Nginx. · nginxproxymanager.com, 11 Oct 2026
Purpose: Nginx Proxy Manager is a Docker image for managing proxy hosts and forwarding web services running at home or elsewhere. · nginxproxymanager.com, 11 Oct 2026
Security configuration: The image supports Docker secrets to load sensitive values from files instead of passing or preserving them in plaintext environment variables. · nginxproxymanager.com, 11 Oct 2026
SSL: It supports free SSL certificates through Let's Encrypt, which renew automatically, and lets users provide custom certificates. · nginxproxymanager.com, 11 Oct 2026
SSL certificates: It uses Certbot to issue and renew Let’s Encrypt certificates, and users can also provide custom SSL certificates. · nginxproxymanager.com, 10 Oct 2026
Support: The project directs users to GitHub bug reports and discussions, and its FAQ recommends the Reddit community for proxying issues. · nginxproxymanager.com, 11 Oct 2026
Supported architectures: The Docker images support amd64 and arm64; armv7 is no longer supported in version 2.14 and later. · nginxproxymanager.com, 11 Oct 2026

Where Nginx Proxy Manager stands on Freedom251

Reverse Proxy Software#17 of 33