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Apache HTTP Server vs MySQL

Apache HTTP Server logo

Apache HTTP Server

Software

The world's most used web server software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MySQL logo

MySQL

Software

The world's most popular open source database

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; MySQL hot online backup is not in the free Community Server; MySQL Enterprise Backup is a paid Enterprise Edition component
  • They diverge on capability: Apache HTTP Server covers HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2 support, MySQL covers ACID compliance.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apache HTTP Server and MySQL differ
AttributeApache HTTP ServerMySQL
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsLinux, Windows, macOS, Unix-like systemsWindows, Macos, Linux, Unix

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (1995).

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 MySQL

  • ACID compliance
  • SQL support
  • Multi-version concurrency control
  • Replication
  • Partitioning
  • Stored procedures
  • Triggers
  • Views

Both cover

  • PHP
  • Python
  • Java
  • Access control

What people use each for

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

Apache HTTP Server

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

MySQL

  • Web application backendnot Apache HTTP Server
  • E-commerce platformsnot Apache HTTP Server
  • Content management systemsnot Apache HTTP Server
  • Data warehousingnot Apache HTTP Server
  • Business applicationsnot 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

MySQL

  • Hot online backup is not in the free Community Server; MySQL Enterprise Backup is a paid Enterprise Edition component
  • Transparent Data Encryption, data masking and de-identification are Enterprise Edition only
  • MySQL Enterprise Firewall, which guards against SQL injection, and MySQL Enterprise Audit are both paid components
  • External authentication against PAM or Windows Active Directory requires MySQL Enterprise Authentication
  • The thread pool ships as MySQL Enterprise Scalability rather than in the community build

Pricing, plan by plan

Apache HTTP Server

Free

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

MySQL

Free
  • Community EditionFree
    • Open source license
    • Full SQL support
    • InnoDB storage engine
  • Standard Edition$2000/year
    • Commercial license
    • Oracle Premier Support
    • MySQL Enterprise backup
  • Enterprise Edition$5000/year
    • Advanced security
    • MySQL Enterprise Monitor
    • High Availability

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 MySQL if

  • You need acid compliance.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Unix.
  • You also want sql support.
MySQL review

Questions people ask

Is Apache HTTP Server or MySQL better?
Neither clearly leads. Apache HTTP Server starts at Free and MySQL at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apache HTTP Server or MySQL?
Apache HTTP Server starts at Free and MySQL at Free.
Does Apache HTTP Server or MySQL run on more platforms?
Apache HTTP Server runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, Unix-like systems. MySQL runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Unix.
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 MySQL is typically brought in for.
What can Apache HTTP Server do that MySQL cannot?
Apache HTTP Server covers HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2 support, Virtual hosting, SSL/TLS encryption, URL rewriting. MySQL covers ACID compliance, SQL support, Multi-version concurrency control, Replication. Both handle PHP, Python, Java, Access control.

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
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
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
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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