docker-tinyauth vs netgoat
Self-hosted authentication and traffic management compared
docker-tinyauth packages Tinyauth authentication middleware as a hardened container for protecting apps behind reverse proxies. netgoat is a self-hosted reverse proxy and traffic-policy agent; it handles routing and controls directly rather than packaging an authentication layer.

docker-tinyauth: Run Tinyauth as a Rootless Container
A Docker image for Tinyauth, an authentication middleware for protecting apps behind popular reverse proxies. It emphasizes a small, distroless, rootless runtime for self-hosted deployments.

netgoat: Self-Host a Reverse Proxy and Traffic Policy Agent
NetGoat is a Go-based reverse proxy for routing traffic through local or cloud deployments, with controls for authentication, caching, rate limits, and security rules. It suits operators who want self-hosted traffic management and optional Cloudflare integrations.
| docker-tinyauth | netgoat | |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Dockerfile | Go |
| License | MIT | AGPL-3.0 |
| Stars | 104 | 902 |
| Forks | 7 | 49 |
| Last analyzed | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 3, 2026 |
Key differences
- docker-tinyauth focuses on running Tinyauth, while netgoat combines reverse proxy routing with traffic controls such as caching, rate limits, and request rules.
- docker-tinyauth is a Dockerfile-based packaging project; netgoat is written in Go.
- docker-tinyauth uses a distroless, rootless container and documents read-only operation; netgoat can run from local YAML routes or optional control-plane snapshots.
- docker-tinyauth is MIT-licensed, while netgoat is AGPL-3.0 licensed.
- docker-tinyauth is not marked as archived and has 104 stars; netgoat is active alpha software and has 902 stars.
Choose docker-tinyauth if you…
- need a Tinyauth container to protect Docker-hosted apps behind a reverse proxy.
- want a rootless, distroless image with documented read-only operation.
- use Traefik and want a forward-auth Compose example.
Choose netgoat if you…
- want a self-hosted proxy with routing, authentication, caching, and traffic policies.
- need controls such as load balancing, health checks, rate limiting, or TLS termination.
- want optional Cloudflare integrations or local YAML-based proxy configuration.
Compare the numbers side by side, or add more projects
This comparison is generated with AI from the OSRepos analyses of both projects. Always check each project's repository and documentation before choosing.