When it comes to choosing reliable hosting, most users pay attention to memory capacity, disk type, number of cores, and available control panels. However, there is another equally important detail—the web server.
It is the web server that receives HTTP requests from users, processes them, finds the right page, and sends it to the browser. The web server determines the speed of the website, its stability when there are a large number of requests, and the efficient use of hosting resources.
The choice of web server depends on the purpose of the website and the load it has to withstand. Although there is a more modern solution, LiteSpeed, according to W3Techs , as of July 2025, only 14.6% of websites use it. Instead, Nginx (33.9%) and Apache (25.9%) remain the leaders, which can be used either separately or in combination.
In this article, we will compare Apache and Nginx in detail—their features, strengths, and optimal use cases. You will gain a better understanding of when to choose each of them separately and when it is advisable to combine them for maximum performance.
What is a web server?
A web server is an intermediary between a browser and a website. When a user opens a page, the browser sends an HTTP request to the server. The web server receives this request, processes it, and returns the result in the form of an HTML page that is displayed in the browser. In other words, a web server is responsible for processing all requests made through the browser.
The main role of a web server is to ensure proper interaction between the user and the website. To do this, it must perform the following tasks:
- Receive and process HTTP and HTTPS requests;
- Host website files: images, CSS, fonts, etc.;
- Process dynamic requests: PHP, Node.js, Python, etc.;
- Cache content to speed up loading;
- Forward requests to the appropriate services or scripts;
- Keep access and error logs for server performance analysis;
- Convert and route URLs;
- Protect the website from unauthorized access and attacks.
Thus, a web server is not just software, but a prerequisite for the correct display and functioning of websites.
Why is choosing a web server important for hosting?
When a client rents hosting for their website, along with the ability to create databases, a control panel, and disk space, they also get an environment for processing requests — this is where a web server comes in. Without it, the browser will not be able to load any files, even if it is a simple static HTML page.
A web server on hosting is not just a standard program. It has its own type, configuration, and performance level. The speed of the website loading, stability during loads, security, and, as a result, SEO indicators depend on the web server settings.
Before choosing a software solution, you should pay attention to the following aspects:
- Performance. Some web servers are better at handling a large number of simultaneous requests (Nginx and LiteSpeed), while others are more suitable for small websites (Apache).
- Compatibility. Check whether the web server supports the existing extensions or combinations of technologies on which the website is built (for example, WordPress + PHP + MySQL).
- Support for modern standards. HTTP/2, caching, SSL/TLS, REST API — all of this depends on the capabilities of the web server.
- Security. Some web servers have built-in security measures, including protection against brute force attacks, malicious requests, and DDoS.
- Flexibility of administration. Web servers provide different levels of access to modules, logs, and configurations. For example, Apache has a large number of modules and supports the .htaccess file, which simplifies configuration. Nginx, on the other hand, does not support .htaccess at all, but provides higher performance and scales better under heavy load.
Most often, the web server is installed and configured by the hosting provider, so it is important to find out in advance which solution is used. At HostPro, LiteSpeed or Apache + Nginx are already installed and available on shared hosting. On VPS and dedicated servers, customers can choose the web server that best suits their needs.
Please note: if you choose the CyberPanel control panel, you will only be able to install OpenLiteSpeed.
The performance and stability of a website directly depends on the web server, so it is worth paying special attention to its selection. If you are not sure which solution is best for you, please contact technical support.
Apache vs Nginx: what is the difference and which one should you choose?
Apache and Nginx are the most popular open source web servers widely used in hosting. Despite their common goal, they implement it in different ways, which affects speed, stability, security, scalability, and ease of administration.
Both solutions work well in different load scenarios, so they cannot be considered completely interchangeable. What makes them so popular and which web server is best for you? Let’s figure it out.
| Parameter | Apache | Nginx |
| Date of creation | 1995 | 2004 |
| License type | Apache License 2.0 | 2-clause BSD |
| Connection processing architecture | Process-threaded, synchronous, blocking | Event-driven, asynchronous, non-blocking |
| Configuration | Decentralized (via .htaccess in each directory) | Centralized (in a single nginx.conf file) |
| Static content processing | Via standard file-based system (depends on MPM; significantly slower) | Built-in caching, high processing speed |
| Dynamic content processing | Built-in support via modules | Passes requests to third-party processors (FastCGI, uwsgi, etc.) |
| Module flexibility | Modules can be added/disabled without recompilation | Modules are only added during compilation |
| Performance under load | Decreases with a large number of connections | Stable, scales well |
| Security | Depends on user settings and .htaccess structure | Higher, thanks to centralized configuration and fewer access points |
Apache
Apache is open-source software for web servers. It was created by Robert McCullough, and later the project was taken over by the Apache Software Foundation, where it remains to this day. The first version was released back in 1995, and within a year Apache had become the alma mater for most websites on the web at that time.
Now that we’ve covered the history, let’s move on to the practical side of things:
Connection processing architecture
Apache uses multi-processor modules (MPMs) to process HTTP requests. Users can choose the module that best suits the needs of their project. In the current version of Apache 2.4, there are three main options available:
- mpm_prefork is the oldest module, which creates a separate process for each request. One process equals one thread. Its performance will be high as long as the number of requests does not exceed the number of processes. When overloaded, a number of drawbacks appear: poor scalability, excessive memory consumption, and reduced response speed. Because of this, prefork is considered obsolete and can only be used in small projects with low traffic.
- mpm_worker is a more modern module in which each process manages several threads, and each thread processes a separate request. This allows the system to serve a large number of connections in parallel, which significantly saves resources and makes the module more scalable and productive. Worker is optimal for websites with medium load and without strict dependence on non-standard modules.
- mpm_event is the newest module, which is an improved version of worker and is specially optimized for working with keep-alive connections—when a browser opens one connection and reuses it for all requests to the same server. Threads are not blocked on passive requests but are freed up for new clients. This module provides better scalability, saves resources, and ensures stable operation even under high load.
Apache modules are quite flexible, and each user can choose the scenario they need. However, it is important to remember that only one MPM module can be used at a time.
Configuration mechanism
Apache supports the use of .htaccess files, which allow you to change the server configuration without accessing the main configuration file (httpd.conf). These files are placed directly in the directories containing the site content. When Apache receives an HTTP request, it sequentially checks each directory in the requested path for the presence of .htaccess files, from the root to the target. If such files exist, the web server executes the directives specified in them.
This flexibility is often used by hosting providers to give customers the ability to manage the configuration of individual directories on the site while retaining control over the main server configurations. Through .htaccess, you can set up redirects, restrict access, or enable caching directly in the root directory of the site.
When a request is received, the .htaccess file is immediately interpreted by the web server, i.e., Apache executes all the instructions contained in it. This allows you to instantly change the configuration without rebooting the server or editing the main configuration file.
However, this mechanism has its drawbacks. Since Apache reads .htaccess during each request, it creates an additional load on the file system and reduces performance, especially on sites with high traffic and a large number of requests. Because of this, large projects often abandon .htaccess in favor of centralized configuration.
Static and dynamic content
Static content is website files that remain unchanged when delivered to the user (e.g., HTML files, images, CSS, JavaScript). Dynamic content, on the other hand, is content that is generated based on user data: characteristics, preferences, viewing history, etc. (e.g., PHP scripts, database responses).
Apache has built-in support for processing dynamic content thanks to the integration of specialized modules that allow code to be executed directly during request processing. For example, the mod_php module provides PHP code processing without the need for a separate proxy or external server.
For static content, Apache uses a standard file-based system. Its performance directly depends on the selected MPM, but in general, it is inferior to Nginx in terms of processing speed.
Module flexibility
Apache’s functionality can be extended with over 100 ready-made modules . The standard server core remains relatively simple. To get additional features, such as CGI scripts or SSL encryption, you need to connect the appropriate modules.
Apache modules are divided into two types:
- built-in (static) – compiled together with the server and always active;
- external (dynamic) – loaded or disabled manually via configuration files.
Here are some common modules:
- mod_ssl – support for secure HTTPS connections;
- mod_headers – control of HTTP headers in server responses;
- mod_expires – setting file storage times in the browser cache;
- mod_deflate – compression of content before transmission to the client;
- mod_rewrite – instant rewriting of requested URLs.
Keep in mind that all added modules are stored in the server’s file system and consume its resources. To optimize the web server’s performance, you need to disable unnecessary or inactive functions.
User support
There are several support channels available for Apache users. First of all, there is official documentation covering all aspects of working with the web server, from basic setup to complex configurations. In more complex cases, you can contact the project developers via email or specialized mailing lists.
In addition, Apache is officially supported by most hosting providers and control panels, such as cPanel and Plesk. This means that if you have configuration issues, you can seek help not only from Apache specialists, but also from your host’s technical support.
Since Apache has been around for over 30 years, a large active community has formed around it, creating unofficial instructions, modules, and various training materials. Therefore, with Apache, you will definitely not be left alone when faced with technical challenges.
Nginx
Nginx is free, open-source software for web servers. It was created as an alternative to Apache, offering higher performance, efficient resource utilization, and stability under load. The idea was a success, as most projects today use Nginx.
The project was started by a Russian programmer, but don’t worry — in 2019, it was acquired by the American company F5 Networks. Despite this, the company’s office in Russia continued to operate, and most of the developers remained there. Only after the full-scale invasion in 2022 did F5 declare that it remained committed to the Ukrainian people and would completely cease its activities in the aggressor country.
Connection processing architecture
Apache works on a process-thread model, which significantly limits performance and scalability. The developers of Nginx took this into account in their project and created a non-blocking, event-driven server with asynchronous architecture. This means that Nginx has one main process that manages several worker processes, each of which can handle thousands of connections simultaneously.
Thanks to this architecture, each worker process is capable of serving a large number of clients simultaneously without creating separate threads for each connection. All events are processed asynchronously—each connection enters the event processing cycle. This allows for efficient use of memory and CPU resources even during peak loads.
Each worker process uses an event loop that constantly monitors the appearance of new events. Each new request is queued and processed according to priority, while active operations are not blocked and continue to be executed. The number of worker processes can be set manually or determined automatically based on the number of available cores.
Configuration mechanism
Nginx uses a centralized approach to configuration. All server parameters are stored in the main configuration file nginx.conf, which is usually located in the /etc/nginx/ or /usr/local/nginx/conf/ directory, depending on the distribution and installation method. This file contains global parameters, event settings, server configurations, and request processing rules.
The Nginx configuration structure is quite simple, as it is based on a hierarchy of logical blocks such as http, server, and location. They allow you to clearly separate settings for the entire system, individual virtual hosts, and specific routes. This allows you to keep your records clean, scale your project more easily, and make changes to your records faster.
Unlike Apache, Nginx does not support configuration at the individual directory level and does not interpret .htaccess files. This significantly limits flexibility for users without access to the main configuration file. At the same time, performance and speed are improved because the server does not check each directory for additional configurations.
The centralized approach also improves security: Nginx prohibits users without root access from changing server settings. In the case of Apache, .htaccess files allow you to change configurations at the directory level. This shifts the responsibility for security to regular users, which can be a potential source of vulnerabilities.
Static and dynamic content
Nginx is significantly faster at processing static content than Apache. It caches static files and makes them available only when a corresponding request is received. This reduces processing time and minimizes resource loss. This feature makes Nginx an ideal choice for front-end servers that serve static files without backend involvement.
As for dynamic content, Nginx does not process it directly, as it does not have built-in capabilities for its execution. Instead, it works as a reverse proxy: it redirects dynamic requests (e.g., PHP or Python) to an external processor, such as FastCGI Process Manager . After receiving a response from the backend, Nginx forwards it to the client. This approach simplifies scaling and increases security, as code execution is delegated to specialized services.
To implement this scheme, the administrator must configure the interaction between Nginx and the external processor via the appropriate protocol (FastCGI, uWSGI, etc.). Since each request for dynamic content causes a separate call to the backend, it is more difficult to determine the number of concurrent connections. This can complicate the configuration.
Module flexibility
Both official and various third-party modules are available for Nginx. They provide the same capabilities as Apache: caching, load balancing, integration with third-party services, data compression, request rate limiting, etc. Users who know the C programming language can create their own modules according to the needs of the project.
Unlike Apache, Nginx does not support dynamic module loading—they are built in during compilation. This reduces flexibility but increases stability by eliminating unnecessary code in the system. This approach also improves security, as the administrator determines which modules to connect to the server.
User support
Although Nginx appeared later than Apache, it quickly gained popularity. Previously, most materials were available in Russian, but F5 put Nginx on the right track, so now you can get full support in English from both developers and users.
The official F5 website offers a large number of articles, guides, podcasts, webinars, and other useful materials. In addition, there are many unofficial sources—blogs, forums, GitHub repositories, and video tutorials—where an active community shares experiences, scripts, and advice.
Usually, a hosting provider helps with the deployment and installation of a web server. At the same time, a paid version is available for corporate needs— Nginx Plus , which includes specialized technical support from developers.
Advantages of Apache + Nginx
Apache is a powerful solution for processing dynamic content. It is often used when there is a need for flexible module management, local development, or rewriting complex URLs. Nginx, on the other hand, is better suited for distributing static content, handling heavy loads, and building large-scale, high-performance systems.
Choosing a web server is not easy, as many technical nuances must be taken into account to ensure that the chosen solution meets the project’s requirements. But why complicate things when you can have both?
Apache and Nginx are like Shrek and Donkey — completely different, but together they form an effective team. In this tandem, Nginx acts as the front end (front server), and Apache acts as the back end (server for processing dynamic content). Nginx processes static content and acts as a reverse proxy that redirects requests to Apache for processing dynamic pages.
Let’s take a closer look at the functions performed by each web server in this combination:
Nginx receives client requests. If a request for static content (such as images, CSS, JavaScript) is received, Nginx independently transfers it to the user. If the request concerns dynamic content, Nginx redirects it not to a third-party processor, but to Apache.
Apache processes requests forwarded by Nginx. For example, it executes server scripts and accesses the database to obtain content for generating HTML pages. Apache then sends the generated content back to Nginx, which forwards it to the user.
This approach has several advantages:
- Load balancing. Nginx is better at processing static content, while Apache is better at processing dynamic content. Requests are distributed between servers depending on their type, which increases performance and reduces load.
- Performance. Nginx is more efficient with a large number of simultaneous connections, so it is better suited for high-traffic websites.
- Scalability. It is easier to scale resources in a combination: Nginx handles traffic, and Apache handles dynamic requests. This allows you to add power without completely rebuilding the architecture.
- Security. Nginx modules are added during compilation, which reduces the risk of using vulnerable extensions. Unlike Apache, where much depends on the user, Nginx has a centralized configuration that simplifies access control and reduces the likelihood of errors.
The Apache + Nginx combination provides a reliable, productive, and scalable web infrastructure. It is ideal for projects that combine both static and dynamic content processing.
In conclusion
The choice between Apache and Nginx depends on the specific needs of your project. If flexible configuration, .htaccess support, and modularity are important to you, consider Apache. If speed, security, stability under load, and scalability are your priorities, Nginx is the better choice. To get the benefits of both solutions, it is best to use them in combination.
Fortunately, with HostPro.com , you don’t have to worry about choosing a web server — we support all popular options on different types of hosting. On shared hosting, you can choose LiteSpeed or a combination of Apache + Nginx, and on VPS or dedicated hosting, you can choose any web server: Apache, Nginx, or a combination.