Software Alternatives & Startups

Tornado VS Apache HTTP Server

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

Tornado

A Python web framework and asynchronous networking library, originally developed at FriendFeed

Rating
0 reviews
Apache HTTP Server

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

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source

Which is more popular?

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

social mentions
0 vs 71
Web And Application Servers popularity
25% vs 75%
alternatives listed
158 vs 240+

Base details

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

Tornado
Apache HTTP Server
Website tornadoweb.org httpd.apache.org
Pricing
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Tornado 6 features
Apache HTTP Server 6 features
  • Asynchronous Networking
    Tornado's core is built on non-blocking network I/O, making it suitable for applications that require a high level of concurrency and can benefit from asynchronous networking.
  • WebSockets Support
    Native support for WebSockets allows Tornado to handle real-time web applications, such as live chats or streaming services, more efficiently.
  • Scalability
    Tornado can handle thousands of simultaneous connections, which makes it highly scalable and an excellent choice for applications expecting high traffic volume.
  • Integrated with asyncio
    Tornado is compatible with Python's asyncio library, providing more flexibility in managing asynchronous operations and integration with other modern async Python libraries.
  • Template Engine
    Comes with a built-in template engine, making it easy to build dynamic web pages without needing to integrate additional templating tools.
  • Long-Polling and SSE
    Supports long-polling and Server-Sent Events (SSE), providing more options for real-time data transfer in web applications.

Possible disadvantages

  • Steeper Learning Curve
    Requires a good understanding of asynchronous programming and non-blocking I/O, which can be challenging for developers who are accustomed to synchronous paradigms.
  • Smaller Community
    Compared to other frameworks like Django or Flask, Tornado has a smaller community, which may result in fewer resources, tutorials, and third-party plugins.
  • Limited Out-of-the-Box Features
    Tornado is more low-level and does not come with built-in support for many web development features (e.g., authentication, ORM) that are readily available in other frameworks.
  • Performance Overhead
    The performance benefits of Tornado’s asynchronous capabilities are more noticeable in I/O-intensive applications. For CPU-bound tasks, the performance gains may be negligible or require additional libraries for parallel processing.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Older versions of Tornado may have compatibility issues with the latest Python releases or other modern async libraries, necessitating careful version management.
  • Less Beginner-Friendly
    Tornado’s emphasis on low-level control and asynchronous design patterns makes it less beginner-friendly compared to more opinionated, batteries-included frameworks.
  • 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.

Analysis

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

Tornado
Apache HTTP Server

Overall verdict

  • Tornado is a good choice if you need a highly concurrent web framework that's capable of handling a large number of open connections efficiently. It may not be the best choice for traditional web applications where synchronous processing is more prevalent.

Why this product is good

  • Tornado is known for its high performance and ability to handle thousands of simultaneous connections, making it an excellent choice for building high-traffic applications. It is lightweight and designed to efficiently deal with asynchronous operations, which is ideal for real-time web services.

Recommended for

  • Real-time web services
  • Applications with long-lived network connections
  • High-performance applications requiring non-blocking network I/O
  • Websockets-based communication

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.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Tornado 3 videos + Add
Apache HTTP Server 0 videos + Add

Review Honda Tornado 250

More videos

  • - Tevo Tornado 2018 edition review: Big volume, big value
  • - The Retro51 Tornado Pen: The Full Nick Shabazz Review

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

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
Tornado
Apache HTTP Server
25% 25%
75% 75%
31% 31%
69% 69%
26% 26%
74% 74%
100% 100%
0% 0%

User comments

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Reviews and articles

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

Tornado no reviews yet
Apache HTTP Server no reviews yet
  • 25 Python Frameworks to Master
    kinsta.com · Oct 2023

    Tornado is an open-source asynchronous web framework and networking library for building web applications using Python. It was originally developed at FriendFeed, a social media aggregator that was later acquired by...

  • Exploring 5 Alternatives to Flask in Python for Web Development
    msalinasc.com · Mar 2023

    Tornado is a scalable web framework in Python that is well-suited for real-time web applications. It provides a non-blocking I/O loop that enables developers to handle thousands of connections at once. Tornado also...

  • Top 5 Asynchronous Web Frameworks for Python
    geekflare.com · Jul 2019

    Tornado has a strong and committed following in the Python community and is used by experienced architects to build highly capable systems. It’s a framework that has long had the answer to the problems of concurrency...

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

Tornado 0 mentions
Apache HTTP Server 71 mentions

Tracking Tornado since Mar 2021.

View more

Alternatives to Tornado and Apache HTTP Server

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