Software Alternatives & Startups

Apache HTTP Server VS OpenResty

Compare Apache HTTP Server VS OpenResty and see what are their differences

Apache HTTP Server

Apache httpd has been the most popular web server on the Internet since April 1996

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
OpenResty

Turning Nginx into a Full-fledged Web App Server

Rating
0 reviews

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Apache HTTP Server should be more popular than OpenResty. It has been mentioned 71 times since March 2021.

social mentions
71 vs 22
Web And Application Servers popularity
67% vs 33%
alternatives listed
163 vs 110

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Apache HTTP Server
OpenResty
Website httpd.apache.org openresty.org
Pricing
Open source
—
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Apache HTTP Server 6 features
OpenResty 5 features
  • Open Source
    Apache HTTP Server is open source, meaning it is freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute. This promotes a large, active community that contributes to its maintenance and improvement.
  • Cross-Platform
    Apache is compatible with a variety of operating systems, including Unix, Linux, and Windows, providing flexibility and widespread usability.
  • Highly Customizable
    It offers a modular architecture that allows users to enable or disable features as needed, and to extend functionality through modules.
  • Robust Documentation
    Apache provides comprehensive and detailed documentation, which makes it easier for users to install, configure, and troubleshoot the server.
  • Widespread Adoption
    With its long history and widespread use, Apache has proven to be reliable and trusted by many organizations worldwide, ensuring a level of trust and stability.
  • Rich Feature Set
    Apache includes many features out-of-the-box, such as SSL/TLS support, URL redirection, authentication, load balancing, and more.

Possible disadvantages

  • Performance Overhead
    Compared to some lightweight web servers like Nginx, Apache can have higher memory and CPU usage, which may not be ideal for high concurrency needs.
  • Complex Configuration
    Apache's extensive customization options can lead to a complex configuration process, which may be challenging for beginners or those without specific expertise.
  • Less Efficient in Serving Static Content
    While Apache is highly capable, it may be less efficient at serving static content compared to specialized web servers like Nginx.
  • Initial Learning Curve
    Due to its rich features and configurability, new users might face a steep learning curve when first setting up and using Apache HTTP Server.
  • Module Compatibility Issues
    Sometimes, third-party modules may not always be compatible with the latest versions of Apache, causing potential integration issues.
  • High Performance
    Built on NGINX, OpenResty benefits from high-performance HTTP server capabilities, capable of handling a large number of simultaneous connections efficiently.
  • Extensibility
    Integrates seamlessly with the LuaJIT scripting language, allowing for powerful customizations and extending the server's functionality without the need to modify core code.
  • Rich Ecosystem
    Supports a wide range of third-party modules for various functionalities such as caching, security, request manipulation, and more, fostering a comprehensive and versatile ecosystem.
  • Asynchronous Processing
    Capable of non-blocking processing, which is essential for real-time web applications, ensuring lower latency and higher throughput.
  • Active Community and Support
    Backed by an active community and commercial support options, providing ample resources for troubleshooting, enhancing functionality, and keeping up with the latest best practices.

Possible disadvantages

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Requires proficiency in Lua scripting and understanding of NGINX configuration, which might be challenging for those new to these technologies.
  • Complex Debugging
    Debugging Lua code within OpenResty can be complex, lacking some of the more advanced debugging tools available for other languages.
  • Limited Documentation
    While there is documentation available, it may not be as comprehensive or beginner-friendly compared to other more mature web server ecosystems.
  • Niche Use Case
    Primarily suited for high-performance applications requiring custom HTTP server behavior, which might not be necessary for simpler web applications or APIs.
  • Resource Intensive
    Depending on the complexity of the Lua scripts and modules used, OpenResty can become resource-intensive, requiring careful optimization and resource management.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Apache HTTP Server
OpenResty

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Apache HTTP Server is generally considered a good and reliable web server.

Why this product is good

  • Apache HTTP Server is one of the most widely used and established web servers in the world. It is open-source, highly configurable, and supports a wide range of features through modules. Its robustness, extensive documentation, strong community support, and flexibility are some of the reasons it remains popular.

Recommended for

  • Developers and organizations looking for a reliable and versatile web server solution.
  • Those who need extensive customization and configuration options for their web environment.
  • Users who prefer an established platform with a large community and extensive documentation.
  • Teams that require compatibility with various operating systems and environments.

No analysis of OpenResty yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Apache HTTP Server 0 videos + Add
OpenResty 2 videos + Add

No Apache HTTP Server videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Why and how I built my CMS based on ArangoDB & openresty

More videos

  • - OpenResty Edge 2 Admin Intro: Episode 3: Applications - Cache & Req Rewrite

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Apache HTTP Server
OpenResty
67% 67%
33% 33%
65% 65%
35% 35%
60% 60%
40% 40%
89% 89%
11% 11%

User comments

Share your experience with using Apache HTTP Server and OpenResty. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Log in or Post with

Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Apache HTTP Server no reviews yet
OpenResty no reviews yet

View more

We have no reviews of OpenResty yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Apache HTTP Server 71 mentions
OpenResty 22 mentions

View more

  • Native Acme Support Comes to Nginx
    Well you say that.... https://openresty.org/en/ "Real-world applications of OpenResty® range from dynamic web portals and web gateways, web application firewalls, web service platforms for mobile apps/advertising/distributed storage/data... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Scriptable Operating Systems with Lua [pdf]
    It's maybe deprecated by the official Nginx support, but there are other projects and organizations that are offering Lua scripting with Nginx with all kinds of extensions and libraries. See OpenResty website[0] and Github repo[1]. [0] -... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Ask HN: The C10M Problem
    Have you seen https://openresty.org/en/ before? To share a quote directly taken from their website: > By taking advantage of various well-designed Nginx modules (most of which are developed by the OpenResty team themselves), OpenResty®... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago

View more

Alternatives to Apache HTTP Server and OpenResty

When comparing Apache HTTP Server and OpenResty, you can also consider the following products.