nginx VS Apache

Compare nginx VS Apache and see what are their differences

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nginx

A high performance free open source web server powering busiest sites on the Internet.

Apache

Home page of The Apache Software Foundation

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2023-07-28

Landing page //
2023-10-04

nginx

Website: nginx.org
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Apache

Website: apache.org
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nginx features and specs

High Performance
Nginx is known for its ability to handle a large number of concurrent connections, which makes it an excellent choice for high-traffic websites.
Efficiency
Nginx uses an event-driven architecture that can handle many connections in a single thread, making it resource-efficient.
Versatility
Besides being a web server, Nginx can also function as a reverse proxy, load balancer, and HTTP cache, among other roles.
Security
Nginx has robust security features including SSL/TLS support, which helps in protecting data transmitted between servers and clients.
Ease of Configuration
Nginx's configuration syntax is considered straightforward and easier to understand compared to some alternatives like Apache.
Scalability
Nginx can easily scale out by using multiple servers or CPUs, making it suitable for growing applications.
Low Memory Usage
Its architecture allows for low-memory usage, which is beneficial for systems with limited resources.
Support for Multiple Protocols
Nginx supports a variety of protocols, including HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, POP3, and IMAP.

Possible disadvantages of nginx

Learning Curve
The configuration syntax, while considered simple by many, can still present a steep learning curve for beginners.
Less Mature Ecosystem
Compared to Apache, Nginx has fewer modules available, which can limit functionality for some specific use cases.
Less .htaccess Support
Nginx does not support .htaccess files, which might be an inconvenience for users migrating from Apache who rely on this feature.
Error Logging
Nginx's error logging is sometimes considered less user-friendly, making debugging and issue resolution more challenging.
Community Support
While the community is growing, Nginx's user support community is still not as extensive as that of Apache.
Module Management
Adding or removing modules in Nginx often requires recompiling the software, which can be inconvenient.

Apache features and specs

Open Source
Apache HTTP Server is an open-source software, so it is free to use, modify, and distribute according to the terms of the Apache License. This provides flexibility and cost savings for developers and organizations.
Community Support
There is a large community of developers and users who contribute to Apache HTTP Server, providing extensive documentation, forums, and support. This makes troubleshooting and finding resources easier.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
Apache HTTP Server is compatible with a wide range of operating systems, including UNIX, Linux, MacOS, and Windows, allowing for flexibility in deployment environments.
Highly Configurable
Apache is highly configurable through its numerous modules which can be used to extend its capabilities and customize its behavior to meet specific needs.
Proven Stability and Security
Apache has been around for a long time and is known for its stability and reliability. Regular security updates and patches help maintain its robust security posture.

Possible disadvantages of Apache

Resource Intensive
Apache can be more resource-intensive than other lightweight web servers, potentially leading to higher memory and CPU usage on large-scale deployments.
Complex Configuration
The configuration of Apache can be complex, requiring significant expertise to optimize performance and ensure security in more comprehensive deployment scenarios.
Performance
In some situations, especially with static content, Apache can be outperformed by newer web servers like Nginx, which may offer better speed and efficiency under high loads.
Thread-Based Architecture
Apache’s thread-based architecture can be less efficient in handling a large number of concurrent connections compared to event-driven architectures.

nginx videos

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Nginx vs Apache Webservers: Main Differences

Apache videos

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2021 TVS Apache RTR 160 Complete & Honest Review with new price update | Pearl White Apache 160 ⚡⚡⚡

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to nginx and Apache)

Apache

Web And Application Servers

93 93%

Web And Application Servers

7% 7

Web Servers

94 94%

Web Servers

6% 6

Application Server

87 87%

Application Server

13% 13

Load Balancer / Reverse Proxy

100 100%

Load Balancer / Reverse Proxy

0% 0

User comments

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

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare nginx and Apache

nginx Reviews

Top 5 Open Source Load Balancers in 2024

While NGINX is renowned for its prowess as a web server, its load balancing capabilities are equally commendable. NGINX, also known as "engine x," stands as a multifaceted powerhouse, excelling as an HTTP and reverse proxy server, mail proxy server, and a generic TCP/UDP proxy server. Originally crafted by Igor Sysoev, NGINX has a storied history, having long powered...

Source: www.techtimes.com

13 Best XAMPP Alternatives

Nginx is an open-source, high-performance web server used by tech companies, including Pinterest, Airbnb, Cloudflare, and Zendesk. It has been called the new Apache for its ability to scale more efficiently than other web servers, and many developers prefer it because it’s easy to deploy. Nginx also integrates with many programming languages via FastCGI.

Source: thetechtian.com

7 Best Containerization Software Solutions of 2022

If your enterprise is undergoing digital transformation, the NGINX application platform can help you modernize your legacy applications and deliver new microservices‑based applications – with performance, reliability, security, and scale.

Source: techgumb.com

Apache, IIS, NGINX, GWS : What’s Your Choice?

Utilizing a specific type of virtual or physical server determines the type of web server software you use. If you prefer Microsoft, then you will prefer to use IIS (Internet Information Services / Server) by Microsoft as your primary web server application solution. If you use Linux distribution, you have other alternatives like Apache, NGINX and LiteSpeed.

Source: www.milesweb.in

10 Awesome Open Source Load Balancers

Nginx is a battle-tested piece of software written in C and initially introduced in 2004. Since then, it has grown to be an all-in-one reverse proxy, load balancer, mail proxy, and HTTP cache. It offers L7 load balancing support for HTTP, HTTPS, FastCGI, uWSGI, SCGI, Memcached, and gRPC backends. Nginx’s process worker model is highly scalable and deployed at large scales in...

Source: www.containiq.com

Apache Reviews

Apache, IIS, NGINX, GWS : What’s Your Choice?

Source: www.milesweb.in

FOSS | Top 15 Web Servers 2021

According to W3Techs, the most popular web server is the Apache HTTP Server, which is used by 34.1% of websites as of March 2021. The BuiltWith Internet services corporation has 62,624,313 live websites that use Apache. ZenTao uses Apache to start its server for ALM project management tool users.

Source: www.zentao.pm

What Is the Most Popular Web Server Application in 2021?

Despite being bundled with most modern Microsoft software, IIS loses out to Apache on its own devices. The main selling point here is performance. While IIS has kept up with Apache in recent times, Apache has historically been performing much better, which still gives it an edge over IIS.

Source: digitalintheround.com

Top Linux Web Servers: Pros and Cons

Now that we know their advantages and disadvantages, which web server is the best? The answer depends on your use case. Nginx is a very fast and powerful option, Apache is a great general-purpose web server, while LiteSpeed represents a premium alternative. Caddy works great if you need simplicity, while Lighthttpd works best when resources are low.

Source: bigstep.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, nginx should be more popular than Apache. It has been mentiond 60 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

nginx mentions (60)

Deploying a Simple Flask API Using Gunicorn, Supervisor & Nginx
Nginx: A reverse proxy to handle client requests and route them to Gunicorn. - Source: dev.to / 5 days ago
Setup K8s cluster on GCP VMs
Welcome to nginx! If you see this page, the nginx web server is successfully installed and Working. Further configuration is required. For online documentation and support please refer to href="http://nginx.org/">nginx.org. Commercial support is available at href="http://nginx.com/">nginx.com. Thank you for using nginx. - Source: dev.to / 7 days ago
How to Set Up a Subdomain with Nginx and SSL on DigitalOcean
I've always been passionate about contributing to the tech community, and this article is my way of sharing what I've learned. Before diving in, it's beneficial to have a basic understanding of deploying to a DigitalOcean droplet, whether through a CI/CD pipeline or manually uploading your JAR files and running the app on the server. In this guide, I’ll walk you through setting up Nginx, and Certbot, and securing... - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
Nginx vs Traefik: Which Reverse Proxy is Right for You?
Before diving into the specifics of Nginx and Traefik, let’s quickly define what a reverse proxy is. A reverse proxy sits between the client (browser or other services) and your backend services (web servers or applications). It handles incoming requests, routes them to the appropriate backend service, and forwards the response to the client. Reverse proxies are typically used for:. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
Dev.to on your own domain xyz.com.
One of the most popular reverse proxies is nginx. Let's see how we can use it as I did in the video at the top. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago

Apache mentions (23)

Navigating the Future: Sustainable Funding for Open Source
Non-Profit Foundations: Foundations like the Apache Software Foundation and the Linux Foundation pool resources to support critical open source projects. These organizations ensure the proper allocation of funds and provide necessary infrastructure and governance. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
Install Apache on Windows in a Few Simple Steps
The Apache Software Foundation offers open source software used around the world, with over 8,400 committers contributing to more than 320 active projects [https://apache.org/]. - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
Shades of Open Source - Understanding The Many Meanings of "Open"
It's this kind of certainty that underscores the vital role of the Apache Software Foundation (ASF). Many first encounter Apache through its pioneering project, the open-source web server framework that remains ubiquitous in web operations today. The ASF was initially created to hold the intellectual property and assets of the Apache project, and it has since evolved into a cornerstone for open-source projects... - Source: dev.to / 11 months ago
Why Do I Love Open Source?
Back in 2015, Java was owned by Sun Microsystems (now part of Oracle) and along with MySQL had a thriving open-source community and ecosystem. A lot of this was under the Apache and Eclipse Foundations. I fondly remember projects such as Tomcat, BERT, the Eclipse IDE, Maven, and so forth. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
Tarsnap has given 2^18 dollars to open source
That might be an issue for smaller projects but at larger scales there is often an associated charity. For example https://apache.org/ and https://numfocus.org/community/mission are both 501(c)(3) registered charitable organizations. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago