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Apache HTTP Server vs Memcached

Apache HTTP Server logo

Apache HTTP Server

Web Development

The world's most used web server software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
M

Memcached

Databases

Distributed memory object caching system

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Apache HTTP Server process-based or thread-based architecture consumes more memory per connection than nginx's event-driven model; Memcached no persistence at all: restart a node and its cache is gone, which every design must assume
  • They diverge on capability: Apache HTTP Server covers HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2 support, Memcached covers In-memory key-value cache.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apache HTTP Server and Memcached actually diverge.

Attributes where Apache HTTP Server and Memcached differ
AttributeApache HTTP ServerMemcached
Pricing modelUnknownOpen source, no licence fee; managed cloud billed separately
PlatformsLinux, Windows, macOS, Unix-like systemsLinux, macOS, Windows, Docker, Self-hosted
CategoryWeb DevelopmentDatabases
Founded1995Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Apache HTTP Server

  • HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2 support
  • Virtual hosting
  • SSL/TLS encryption
  • URL rewriting
  • Load balancing
  • Compression
  • Authentication modules
  • Logging and monitoring

Only in Memcached

  • In-memory key-value cache
  • Multithreaded
  • Client-side sharding
  • Predictable memory use

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Apache HTTP Server

  • Web hostingnot Memcached
  • Static site servingnot Memcached
  • Reverse proxynot Memcached
  • Load balancingnot Memcached
  • SSL terminationnot Memcached
  • Content deliverynot Memcached

Memcached

  • Caching expensive database query results to cut loadnot Apache HTTP Server
  • Session storage where losing sessions on restart is acceptablenot Apache HTTP Server
  • Fronting an API whose responses are costly and change slowlynot Apache HTTP Server

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Apache HTTP Server

  • Process-based or thread-based architecture consumes more memory per connection than nginx's event-driven model
  • Static file serving performance lags behind nginx, particularly under high concurrency
  • Module system flexibility can add overhead compared to nginx's streamlined single-purpose design
  • Configuration complexity for advanced features like reverse proxying is higher than nginx
  • Performance monitoring in hybrid and cloud environments requires additional tools beyond built-in diagnostics

Memcached

  • No persistence at all: restart a node and its cache is gone, which every design must assume
  • No replication or failover, so losing a node loses that share of the cache
  • Only simple key-value, with none of the lists, sorted sets or streams Redis offers
  • Values are capped at 1MB by default, which surprises teams caching large documents

Pricing, plan by plan

Apache HTTP Server

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Apache HTTP Server review.

Memcached

Free
  • MemcachedFree
    • Full functionality
    • Self-hosted
    • No usage limits

Which should you pick?

Choose Apache HTTP Server if

  • You need http/1.1 and http/2 support.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, macOS, Unix-like systems.
  • You also want virtual hosting.
Apache HTTP Server review

Choose Memcached if

  • You need in-memory key-value cache.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows, Docker, Self-hosted.
  • You also want multithreaded.
Memcached review

Questions people ask

Is Apache HTTP Server or Memcached better?
Neither clearly leads. Apache HTTP Server starts at Free and Memcached at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apache HTTP Server or Memcached?
Apache HTTP Server starts at Free and Memcached at Free.
Does Apache HTTP Server or Memcached run on more platforms?
Apache HTTP Server runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, Unix-like systems. Memcached runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, Docker, Self-hosted.
Can I use Apache HTTP Server for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Apache HTTP Server best used for?
Apache HTTP Server is most often used for web hosting, static site serving, reverse proxy, load balancing. Of those, web hosting and static site serving are not what Memcached is typically brought in for.
What can Apache HTTP Server do that Memcached cannot?
Apache HTTP Server covers HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2 support, Virtual hosting, SSL/TLS encryption, URL rewriting. Memcached covers In-memory key-value cache, Multithreaded, Client-side sharding, Predictable memory use.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Apache HTTP Server: Is Apache HTTP Server free?

Yes. Apache HTTP Server is free, open-source software developed by The Apache Software Foundation. There are no licensing fees for any edition.

Source
Memcached: Is Memcached free?

Yes, open source with no licence fee.

Apache HTTP Server: What is the latest stable version of Apache HTTP Server?

Apache httpd 2.4.68, released June 8, 2026, is the latest stable version from the 2.4.x branch and is recommended for all users. Apache httpd 2.2 is end-of-life (final release July 2017).

Source
Memcached: Memcached or Redis?

Memcached is a pure cache: simpler, multithreaded and very predictable. Redis adds persistence, replication and rich data structures, which is why it is the default choice unless you specifically want a cache and nothing more.

Apache HTTP Server: Does Apache support .htaccess configuration files?

Yes. Apache HTTP Server supports per-directory .htaccess configuration files, allowing configuration without modifying the main Apache configuration file. This flexibility is a key differentiator from nginx.

Source
Memcached: Does Memcached persist data?

No. Everything is in memory and lost on restart, by design.

Apache HTTP Server: How many Apache modules are available?

Apache includes 100+ modules for functionality like URL rewriting, reverse proxying, load balancing, caching, authentication, and scripting. Modules can be compiled statically or loaded dynamically at runtime using mod_so.

Source
Apache HTTP Server: Can Apache run on Linux?

Yes. Apache HTTP Server is fully supported on Linux (Red Hat, Debian, Ubuntu), Windows Server, macOS, and Unix-like systems.

Source
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