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Web Development · head to head

Apache HTTP Server vs Nginx

Apache HTTP Server logo

Apache HTTP Server

Web Development

The world's most used web server software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Nginx logo

Nginx

Web Development

High-performance web server and reverse proxy

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; 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.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apache HTTP Server and Nginx differ
AttributeApache HTTP ServerNginx
PlatformsLinux, Windows, macOS, Unix-like systemsWindows, macOS, Linux
Founded19952011

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Web Development).

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

Free

No 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.
Apache HTTP Server review

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.
Nginx review

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.

Source
Nginx: How much does nginx cost?

nginx is free and open source software distributed under the 2-clause BSD License. Enterprise distributions, commercial support, and training are available from F5 Inc. at custom pricing.

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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