# Nginx Proxy Manager vs Pterodactyl

> Two self-hosted projects, compared on the numbers selfhost.directory tracks live: score, popularity, release cadence and setup effort.

| | Nginx Proxy Manager | Pterodactyl |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 82/100 ✓ | 75/100 |
| Rank in category | #2 of 24 in Reverse Proxy | #5 of 62 in Game Servers |
| GitHub stars | 34 568 ✓ | 9 438 |
| Stars, last 30 days | +354 ✓ | +184 |
| Stable releases, 12 months | 11 | 11 |
| Latest release | v2.16.0 · 24 Sept 2026 | v1.15.2 · 21 Oct 2026 ✓ |
| Setup | Easy ✓ | Advanced |
| Official Docker image | Yes | Yes |
| License | MIT | Other |
| Main language | Typescript | PHP |

## Which one should you pick?

Nginx Proxy Manager scores 82/100 against 75/100 for Pterodactyl, so it is the safer default.

If you want the quickest setup, Nginx Proxy Manager is easier to run; Pterodactyl needs more configuration.

## Details

- [Nginx Proxy Manager](https://selfhost.directory/project/nginx-proxy-manager) (markdown: https://selfhost.directory/project/nginx-proxy-manager.md)
- [Pterodactyl](https://selfhost.directory/project/pterodactyl) (markdown: https://selfhost.directory/project/pterodactyl.md)

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Source: https://selfhost.directory/compare/nginx-proxy-manager-vs-pterodactyl