Software · head to head
Apache HTTP Server vs Nginx
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; Nginx open-source nginx has no admin API for changing arbitrary config at runtime; dynamic reconfiguration requires editing the config file and reloading via 'nginx -s reload'
- They diverge on capability: Apache HTTP Server covers HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2 support, Nginx covers High-performance web server.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Apache HTTP Server and Nginx actually diverge.
| Attribute | Apache HTTP Server | Nginx |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Linux, Windows, macOS, Unix-like systems | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Founded | 1995 | 2011 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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
- Compression
- Authentication modules
- Logging and monitoring
- PHP
Only in Nginx
- High-performance web server
- Reverse proxy
- HTTP caching
- SSL/TLS termination
- Gzip compression
- Rate limiting
- Static file serving
- Docker
Both cover
- Load balancing
- SSL/TLS
- Access control
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Apache HTTP Server
- Web hostingnot Nginx
- Static site servingnot Nginx
- Reverse proxynot Nginx
- Load balancingnot Nginx
- SSL terminationnot Nginx
- Content deliverynot Nginx
Nginx
- HTTP web server and static file servingnot Apache HTTP Server
- Reverse proxy and load balancernot Apache HTTP Server
- TLS/SSL termination (SNI, HTTP/2, HTTP/3)not Apache HTTP Server
- Content cachingnot Apache HTTP Server
- Kubernetes Ingress Controller backendnot Apache HTTP Server
- TCP/UDP stream proxyingnot 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
Nginx
- Open-source nginx has no admin API for changing arbitrary config at runtime; dynamic reconfiguration requires editing the config file and reloading via 'nginx -s reload'
- No official built-in GUI or dashboard for management or live metrics in the open-source edition
- Advanced capabilities such as active health checks, dynamic upstream reconfiguration without reload, and a full API gateway feature set are exclusive to the paid NGINX Plus product, not open-source nginx
- No published list price for NGINX Plus on the current F5 product page; pricing requires contacting sales
Pricing, plan by plan
Apache HTTP Server
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Apache HTTP Server review.
Nginx
Free- Open SourceFree
- Web server
- Reverse proxy
- Load balancing
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.
Choose Nginx if
- You need high-performance web server.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
- You also want reverse proxy.
Questions people ask
- Is Apache HTTP Server or Nginx better?
- Neither clearly leads. Apache HTTP Server starts at Free and Nginx at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Apache HTTP Server or Nginx?
- Apache HTTP Server starts at Free and Nginx at Free.
- Does Apache HTTP Server or Nginx run on more platforms?
- Apache HTTP Server runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, Unix-like systems. Nginx runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
- 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 Nginx is typically brought in for.
- What can Apache HTTP Server do that Nginx cannot?
- Apache HTTP Server covers HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2 support, Virtual hosting, SSL/TLS encryption, URL rewriting. Nginx covers High-performance web server, Reverse proxy, HTTP caching, SSL/TLS termination. Both handle Load balancing, SSL/TLS, 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.
SourceApache 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).
SourceApache 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.
SourceApache 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.
SourceApache 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