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Apache HTTP Server vs Xlinesoft

Apache HTTP Server logo

Apache HTTP Server

Web Development

The world's most used web server software

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Xlinesoft logo

Xlinesoft

Developer Tools

PHPRunner and ASPRunner.NET: low-code builders that turn databases into web apps

From
$599/one-time
Free plan
No

The short version

  • Only Apache HTTP Server has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; Xlinesoft the purchase includes one year of support and upgrades only; after that, newer versions require a paid upgrade.
  • They diverge on capability: Apache HTTP Server covers HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2 support, Xlinesoft covers Database to web application.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 12 November 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apache HTTP Server and Xlinesoft differ
AttributeApache HTTP ServerXlinesoft
Starting priceFree$599/one-time
Pricing modelUnknownone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsLinux, Windows, macOS, Unix-like systemsWindows, macOS, Linux, Web
CategoryWeb DevelopmentDeveloper Tools
Founded1995Unknown

Identical on both: 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 Xlinesoft

  • Database to web application
  • Page Designer and themes
  • Events, custom code and AI assistance
  • Security and dynamic permissions
  • Reports, charts and dashboards
  • Wide database support
  • Enterprise authentication
  • Application templates and plugins

What people use each for

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

Apache HTTP Server

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

Xlinesoft

  • Building an internal web application on top of an existing SQL databasenot Apache HTTP Server
  • Replacing a Microsoft Access application with a browser-based onenot Apache HTTP Server
  • Creating admin interfaces and customer or partner portals with role-based accessnot Apache HTTP Server
  • Agencies and freelancers delivering self-hosted database applications to clientsnot Apache HTTP Server
  • Teams that need low-code tooling but must keep applications on their own serversnot 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

Xlinesoft

  • The purchase includes one year of support and upgrades only; after that, newer versions require a paid upgrade.
  • Multiple database connections, REST API connections and single sign-on through Active Directory, Okta or SAML are Enterprise-only, which raises the price from $599 to $999 per developer.
  • Self-hosted only. Hosting, database administration, backups, runtime updates and access-control configuration remain the customer's job, as Xlinesoft's own product facts page states.
  • Applications built on Microsoft Access require a Windows web server.
  • PHPRunner and ASPRunner.NET are separate products with separate licences, so moving a project between PHP and .NET is not covered by one purchase.

Pricing, plan by plan

Apache HTTP Server

Free

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

Xlinesoft

$599/one-time
  • PHPRunner Professional$599/one-time
    • Single developer licence
    • Core application-building product
    • One year of email support and upgrades
  • PHPRunner Enterprise Edition$999/one-time
    • Single developer licence
    • Multiple database and REST API connections
    • Data encryption
  • PHPRunner MultiDev Edition$3599/one-time
    • Three Enterprise Edition licences
    • Multiple developers working on the same project at the same time
    • One year of email support and upgrades
  • ASPRunner.NET Professional$599/one-time
    • Generates ASP.NET web applications
    • Same database coverage and security model as PHPRunner
    • Enterprise Edition available

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 Xlinesoft if

  • You need database to web application.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, Web.
  • You also want page designer and themes.

Questions people ask

Is Apache HTTP Server or Xlinesoft better?
Neither clearly leads. Apache HTTP Server starts at Free and Xlinesoft at $599/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apache HTTP Server or Xlinesoft?
Apache HTTP Server has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apache HTTP Server and $599/one-time for Xlinesoft.
Does Apache HTTP Server or Xlinesoft run on more platforms?
Apache HTTP Server runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, Unix-like systems. Xlinesoft runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Web.
Can I use Apache HTTP Server for free?
Yes. Apache HTTP Server has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Xlinesoft starts at $599/one-time.
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 Xlinesoft is typically brought in for.
What can Apache HTTP Server do that Xlinesoft cannot?
Apache HTTP Server covers HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2 support, Virtual hosting, SSL/TLS encryption, URL rewriting. Xlinesoft covers Database to web application, Page Designer and themes, Events, custom code and AI assistance, Security and dynamic permissions.

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
Xlinesoft: How much does PHPRunner cost?

PHPRunner Professional is $599, Enterprise Edition is $999 and MultiDev Edition, which includes three Enterprise licences, is $3,599. Professional and Enterprise prices are per developer, and each purchase includes one year of email support and free upgrades.

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
Xlinesoft: Which databases does PHPRunner support?

MySQL, MariaDB, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Oracle, Microsoft Access, IBM DB2, Informix, SQLite and ODBC-compatible databases. Using multiple database connections in one project is an Enterprise Edition feature.

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
Xlinesoft: Is there a free trial?

Yes. PHPRunner can be downloaded and evaluated for 21 days, and public live demos show the generated applications, with add, edit and delete disabled.

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
Xlinesoft: Where do PHPRunner applications run?

On your own web server. The documented options are Apache and Microsoft IIS with a compatible PHP runtime and database extensions, and a built-in web server is available for local testing. The development application itself runs on Windows, macOS and Linux.

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
Xlinesoft: What does the Enterprise Edition add?

Multiple database and REST API connections, data encryption, and enterprise authentication including Active Directory, Okta, Azure AD, OpenID and SAML, on top of all Professional features.

Source
Xlinesoft: What is ASPRunner.NET?

Xlinesoft's equivalent builder for ASP.NET. It generates database-driven ASP.NET web applications with the same kind of forms, reports, charts, permissions and Page Designer, and is sold separately from $599.

Source
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