Picking the right web server software can go a long way toward speeding up your site and creating a better user experience.

Now, you might be thinking that choosing web server software sounds a bit technical. But this will usually come down to which hosting provider you pick. Typically, they will run either Apache, Nginx, or LiteSpeed on their hosting servers.

If you’re curious about what goes on behind the scenes and are ready to explore your options for web server software, then you are in the right place!

In this guide, we will explain the differences between Apache, Nginx, and LiteSpeed. We will compare their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the best option for your needs.

Apache vs Nginx vs LiteSpeed: A Brief Overview

Apache, Nginx (pronounced ‘Engine X’), and LiteSpeed are all popular web server software. Web servers power every website by delivering the content from your site to the user’s web browser.

If you are short on time, then here’s a quick overview of our comparison of Apache vs Nginx vs LiteSpeed:

Now that you’ve seen the summary, we highly recommend you keep reading to get our in-depth analysis of each tool. This will help you make the right choice for your site.

How We Compared Apache vs Nginx vs LiteSpeed

To provide you with a fair and thorough comparison of Apache, Nginx, and LiteSpeed, we followed an approach that combines hands-on experience with careful research:

• Real-World Experience: Our team has hands-on experience managing servers running Apache, Nginx, and LiteSpeed in various environments.
• Hands-On Testing: Many of our troubleshooting tutorials show you how to solve common website problems by correctly configuring different web servers.
• Feature Comparison: We compared the key features of each web server, including performance metrics, architecture, security features, caching capabilities, and more.
• Use Case Analysis: We looked at different scenarios and recommended where each server would be best based on its strengths and weaknesses.
• Pricing Considerations: We looked at the different licensing and pricing structures of each web server and noted that LiteSpeed requires a paid license.
• Practical Application: We considered how easy it is for beginners to get started and how each server can scale as traffic increases.

We aim to help you understand the differences between these popular web servers and make an informed decision that meets your needs.

With all that said, let’s get started with our Apache, Nginx, and LiteSpeed comparison. You can use the quick links below to skip to the topic you’re most interested in:

Ease of Configuration

It is important for beginners to be able to configure a web server easily. When this task is too complicated, it can take a lot of time, which can leave you feeling frustrated.

In this section, we’ll compare the configuration processes for Apache, Nginx, and LiteSpeed, focusing on their learning curves and available tools.

Apache – Configuration

Configuring a web server is fairly technical and often involves editing a text file. However, Apache is generally considered the most beginner-friendly.

The main configuration file is called httpd.conf or apache2.conf and is structured in a way that’s easy to read.

Apache also allows you to configure each directory individually using .htaccess files. If you use shared hosting, then you can use this method to control server behavior without needing access to the main configuration files.

You can see our guide on the most useful .htaccess tricks for WordPress to learn what you can do.

Plus, many hosting control panels also come with graphical interfaces that simplify Apache’s configuration even further. If you aren’t comfortable with command-line tools, then this makes it a lot more accessible.

Overall, Apache is easy to configure for simple and medium-difficulty tasks and has plenty of tools to help with the configuration.

Nginx – Configuration

Nginx has a steeper learning curve when it comes to configuration. The server uses a different syntax with a more command-line-based approach. In simple terms, syntax means the language that you use to communicate with the server software.

You will need to edit a main configuration file called nginx.conf and create separate configuration files for each website you want to host (called virtual hosts).

Think of virtual hosts as having different apartments in the same building – each website gets its own space and settings, but they all share the same server.

While this gives you more control over each website’s settings, it’s more complicated to set up than Apache’s approach.

When you set up Nginx, the configuration process is more manual than with Apache, and you are expected to have a deeper understanding of web server concepts.

This makes it a good option if you have an advanced understanding of servers and want a greater level of control.

LiteSpeed – Configuration

LiteSpeed is designed to be compatible with Apache in terms of configuration, which is a major advantage if you are already familiar with Apache.

LiteSpeed also offers its own web admin console, which simplifies server management. Plus, it provides integration with several hosting control panels, which makes it easier to configure.

Additionally, LiteSpeed supports .htaccess files, which is another major benefit if you are used to Apache.

Overall, LiteSpeed offers ease of configuration because of its graphical user interface (GUI) tools, especially if you are already familiar with Apache.

🏅 Winner – Apache

While you can configure all three server software to run your website, we find that Apache is the simplest to configure. This is especially true for beginners and anyone coming from shared hosting.

We like that it uses straightforward syntax and user-friendly GUI options in control panels. Plus, we appreciate the convenience and flexibility of .htaccess files for controlling our websites.

Performance

If your website needs to handle a lot of traffic, then you will want to choose a web server with great performance. In our experience, those that were developed more recently may handle some tasks more efficiently.

For example, they may use fewer system resources, handle multiple connections better, and serve your website content more quickly.

In this section, we’ll explore how Apache, Nginx, and LiteSpeed compare in terms of performance. We will consider their different architectures, caching capabilities, and load-balancing techniques.

Apache – Performance

Apache uses a process-based architecture. Not sure what that means?

Think of Apache as a store that opens a new checkout counter for each customer. While this means every visitor gets their own dedicated service, it also means the store needs more space and staff (more memory and processing power) to handle lots of customers at once.

While this is simpler to put into action, the drawback is that it can use many system resources when your site has a lot of traffic. This can lead to slower response times and higher resource usage.

Apache can improve performance using caching modules that store content in memory so it can be accessed more quickly. However, its caching abilities are not as effective as what Nginx and LiteSpeed offer.

Apache can also improve performance by sharing incoming traffic across multiple servers. However, this is more complex than the options that come with Nginx and LiteSpeed because it needs extra configuration.

Overall, Apache is good for small to medium sites or websites with low traffic. But if you have a high-traffic site like ours, then you may find that its performance suffers because of its process-based architecture.

Nginx – Performance

Nginx offers excellent performance because of its event-driven architecture. That means that it can handle a large number of simultaneous connections using a single process. This allows it to use server resources more efficiently.

Nginx has built-in caching and load-balancing capabilities that are better than Apache’s. It also produces faster response times and a better end-user experience.

In our experience, Nginx is a clear leader when it comes to performance, especially in high-traffic conditions. If you get a lot of traffic, then you will appreciate its efficiency, scalability, and ability to perform under stress.

LiteSpeed – Performance

LiteSpeed is also known for its high performance and uses an event-driven architecture.

Plus, it is designed to be a drop-in replacement for Apache. This means that it can offer similar performance to Nginx while working well with Apache configurations.

LiteSpeed has its own built-in caching mechanism called LiteSpeed Cache. It has a great reputation and uses a plugin for easy WordPress configuration. The server also gives you comprehensive load-balancing features.

In our testing, we found that LiteSpeed delivers excellent performance, similar to Nginx.

It’s also easy to use if you’re familiar with Apache. What’s more, it’s especially great for WordPress users because of its caching plugin.

🏅 Winner – Nginx

While both Nginx and LiteSpeed are known for high performance, we prefer Nginx.

This is because it uses a powerful event-driven architecture and a built-in caching system. We love the way it can handle large amounts of traffic while efficiently using resources.

While LiteSpeed offers very high performance as well, Nginx still leads slightly when it comes to overall performance under stress.

Security

You will also want to pay close attention to the security options of each web server. One of the important jobs of a server is to protect your website from threats, including hacking attempts and data breaches.

In this section, we’ll compare the security features of Apache, Nginx, and LiteSpeed, focusing on their built-in protections and security practices.

Apache – Security

You can improve Apache’s security using security modules and configurations, including web application firewall capabilities. This protects your website against attacks like SQL injection and cross-site scripting.

Apache also provides options for configuring access control, SSL encryption, and more.

However, there is a major downside. There are so many modules and configuration options that choosing the best security configuration can get very complex.

Plus, it is more vulnerable to attack because of its process-based architecture. Because Apache uses more server resources for each website visitor, it’s easier for attackers to overload it with fake visitors and crash your website.

In short, although you can make Apache secure, you will need to spend time carefully configuring and maintaining it.

Nginx – Security

We consider Nginx to be a very secure web server. Its event-driven architecture is less vulnerable than process-based servers like Apache.

We also love the large number of powerful security features that Nginx offers. These include SSL encryption, access control, and rate limiting, which can help protect against DDoS attacks.

It also integrates well with web application firewalls and other security tools.

All of this means that Nginx is designed with security in mind and is harder to attack than Apache.

LiteSpeed – Security

We are also impressed with LiteSpeed’s high-security standards. It provides plenty of security features, like DDoS protection and brute force protection.

It also has a web application firewall that protects against SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and other common web attacks.

LiteSpeed also supports SSL encryption and has options for configuring access controls.

We find that LiteSpeed provides great protection against common web threats. It has been designed with security in mind.

🏅 Winner – Nginx

While all three servers offer good security features, we find that the most secure option is Nginx. Because it has an event-driven architecture and lightweight design, it offers fewer opportunities for hackers to attack it.

Besides this, it offers an impressive number of security features. We consider it to be the most secure of the three web servers out of the box.

Operating System Support

Linux is the most popular operating system for web hosting servers, which is why all major web server software is designed to run very well on Linux.

However, some websites use macOS or Windows Server, and these have fewer web server options.

In this section, we’ll take a look at the operating system support for Apache, Nginx, and LiteSpeed. We will explore which platforms they can be installed on plus any important issues to consider.

Apache – Operating System Support

The huge benefit of Apache is that it is compatible with many operating systems. It runs smoothly on various Linux distributions, including Debian, Ubuntu, CentOS, and Fedora. Plus, it has good support for macOS and Windows.

And because it is an open-source project with a long history, Apache has a strong community supporting many OS platforms. This means you will easily find comprehensive documentation and support for various operating systems.

Nginx – Operating System Support

Nginx also has very good operating system support. It is most often used on Linux distributions like Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, and Red Hat. But it also runs well on macOS, FreeBSD, and other Unix-based systems.

Nginx has good support for Windows, but its performance is less optimized for that operating system. It performs best on Linux systems.

LiteSpeed – Operating System Support

Unfortunately, LiteSpeed has support for the fewest operating systems. That said, it is compatible with most popular Linux distributions like CentOS, Ubuntu, Debian, and others.

It also has good support for control panels like cPanel and Plesk, which typically run on Linux-based systems.

The downside is that LiteSpeed is not designed for macOS or Windows Server in the same way it is for Linux. It is built and highly optimized to work best on Linux-based systems.

🏅 Winner – Apache

Apache and Nginx both have pretty good operating system support. But we believe the winner is Apache.

Apache offers excellent support for Linux, macOS, and Windows. While Nginx offers similar support, Apache is slightly better due to its long history.

LiteSpeed, while well-supported on Linux, does not support macOS or Windows.

Market Share

Wondering how popular each of these web servers is? Studying the market share can help you understand which options are used most often across the web.

In this section, we’ll look at the current market share of Apache, Nginx, and LiteSpeed.

Apache – Market Share

Apache has been one of the most popular web servers for a very long time. But you should note that its market share has been slowly decreasing over time. This has happened since faster alternatives like Nginx have come along.

Despite this, Apache continues to be used on a lot of websites because it is so easy to use. We have noticed that it is especially popular with small to medium-sized websites.

In fact, it is still the default web server on many shared hosting plans. And many of these hosting providers offer easy-to-use control panels to make configuration even easier.

Nginx – Market Share

Nginx has really grown in market share in recent years. It is now the most used web server on the internet, overtaking Apache in 2019.

It is popular because of its high performance and efficient resource usage. In our experience, it is a good choice for high-traffic websites and online stores.

LiteSpeed – Market Share

LiteSpeed has also experienced growth in the market over the past few years. While it does not have the market share of Apache or Nginx, its popularity is constantly growing.

It is becoming especially popular within the WordPress community due to its high performance and LiteSpeed Cache plugin, which can provide high speeds for WordPress websites.

🏅 Winner – Nginx

The current market leader in terms of market share is Nginx. While Apache still holds a strong presence and LiteSpeed is gaining popularity, Nginx’s high performance and ability to handle large traffic volumes make it the overall market leader.

Default Web Server for Popular Hosting Providers

Most often, website owners choose their hosting provider first and then simply use the default web server offered by that compny. However, some hosting providers offer a choice of web server software.

This section lists some popular hosting providers and the primary web server software they typically offer. This should provide an easy comparison to help you when choosing a hosting provider based on your needs.

In this handy table, we show the primary (default) web server offered by each hosting provider as a green dot and any secondary options offered as a yellow dot.

As you can see in the table, Apache and Nginx are available with most popular providers.

However, specific web server availability may depend on the type of hosting plan you choose. Some hosting providers may allow you to use an alternative web server by purchasing a special plan or license.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please contact your hosting provider.

Cost

By now, you might be wondering how much this is all going to cost. Well, only one of these web servers actually costs money. But you normally won’t pay for this yourself because it is built into your hosting plan’s pricing.

In this section, we’ll compare the cost considerations for Apache, Nginx, and LiteSpeed, exploring their licensing models and potential expenses.

Apache – Cost

Apache is open-source software and is completely free to use. There are no licensing fees associated with Apache. This makes it a very attractive option for individuals, small businesses, and large organizations that have tight budgets.

While the software itself is free, it is important to note that you will still need to pay for a hosting plan. This will cover the costs of the server hardware, operating system, and other software required to run Apache.

Nginx – Cost

Nginx, like Apache, is also open-source software and is free to use. There are no licensing fees or any other type of fee for the software.

As with Apache, the software is free. However, you’ll have to consider hosting costs, which provide you with essential resources like server hardware, an operating system, and more.

LiteSpeed – Cost

Unlike Apache and Nginx, which are free, LiteSpeed comes in different versions with different price tags. While there’s a free basic version called OpenLiteSpeed, the full-featured versions can cost anywhere from $10-$100+ per month, depending on your needs.

However, this cost is usually built into your hosting plan, so you typically won’t pay for it directly. So it may mean that hosting plans that use LiteSpeed cost more than similar plans using Apache or Nginx.

🏅 Winner – Apache and Nginx (Tie)

The winner in terms of cost is a tie between Apache and Nginx. Both are open-source and free to use without any licensing fees. This makes them excellent choices for any user who doesn’t want to pay any licensing costs for their web server software.

While LiteSpeed offers a free version, the paid versions provide essential features that come at a cost. If you want a web server with free licensing, then Apache and Nginx are the clear choices.

Apache vs Nginx vs LiteSpeed: Which Is the Best?

The best choice for web hosting software will change depending on your needs.

Apache is still an excellent choice for many users. It is widely available, easy to use, and free of charge. It is the default web server used by many shared hosting providers.

If you’d like to get started with Apache, then we highly recommend signing up with Bluehost. They are beginner-friendly, affordable, and even offer a huge discount to WPBeginner readers with our Bluehost coupon code.

However, we can’t recommend Apache for sites that expect to get lots of traffic. In that case, Nginx is a better choice because of its superior performance.

SiteGround is an excellent managed hosting provider that uses Nginx server software. It’s built for high performance, which is why we actually use it for the WPBeginner website.

On the other hand, many WordPress users are considering LiteSpeed. While it is more expensive, it is easy to use like Apache and has many of the performance benefits of Nginx.

Besides that, you can easily configure its cache from the WordPress dashboard using the LiteSpeed Cache plugin.

If you’d like to use LiteSpeed, then we recommend Hostinger. They offer affordable hosting plans for businesses of all sizes, and you can get a huge discount using our Hostinger coupon code.

Here is a table that summarizes the winners for each category we discussed:

Frequently Asked Questions About Web Server Software

After reading about the differences between Apache, Nginx, and LiteSpeed, you may still have some questions about web servers. Here are answers to some of the questions we are asked most often.

What exactly is a web server?

A web server is software that stores, processes, and delivers content from your website to the user’s browser. This includes web pages, images, videos, and other data. You can think of it as a delivery system between your website and a web browser.

Do I need a web server to have a website?

Yes, a website needs a web server to be accessible on the internet. It is the software that makes your site’s content available to the world.

Is a web server the same as a server machine?

No. While the term ‘server’ is often used to refer to both, a web server is software, while a server machine is the physical hardware (computer) that runs the web server software. You can have multiple web servers running on a single server machine.

What does it mean for a web server to be event-driven or process-based?

These terms refer to the architectural approach of the web server:

• Process-based servers like Apache create a new process or thread for each incoming connection. This can be resource-intensive with high traffic.
• Event-driven servers like Nginx and LiteSpeed use a single process or a small number of processes to handle many connections at the same time. They are more efficient and use system resources better.

What is load balancing, and why would I need it?

Load balancing works like having multiple doors to enter a busy store. When one entrance gets too crowded, people are directed to other doors.

This spreads out visitor traffic across several servers, preventing any single server from becoming overloaded and slowing down your website. It is essential for websites with high traffic.

What is caching, and how does it improve performance?

Web servers can use different types of caching. Caching stores frequently accessed data in a temporary storage location so that it can be served more quickly without having to retrieve it from its original source every time. This reduces server load and improves website loading times.

Are web servers free?

Many web servers are open source and free to use, including Apache and Nginx. However, some web servers like LiteSpeed offer both free and commercial paid versions with different feature sets and support.

Can I change my web server later if needed?

Yes, you can change your web server, but it may require some effort. You need to transfer your website files, reconfigure the server settings, and possibly update your DNS records. If this is not done correctly, then your website can experience downtime.

Can I run a web server on my home computer?

Yes, you can run a web server on your home computer (Windows, Mac) for development and testing. However, for a production website, we recommend you choose a reliable web hosting provider.

We hope this comparison between Apache vs Nginx vs LiteSpeed helped you choose the best web server for your WordPress website. You may also want to see our beginner’s guide on how to host a website or our expert pick of the fastest WordPress hosting.

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