Both are free, open source web servers that can run almost any website. Nginx is built for high performance with low memory use and doubles as a reverse proxy, cache and load balancer, which is why it often sits in front of other servers. Apache HTTP Server is a modular, extensible server with per-directory .htaccess files, a big plus on shared hosting where you can't edit the main configuration. If you run WordPress on shared hosting, you're probably on Apache; if you're tuning a busy site or API, Nginx is the usual choice.
Web hosts rarely explain which server they run or why it matters. I read nginx.org's overview and beginner's guide and the Apache HTTP Server home page, multi-processing module docs and .htaccess tutorial to explain the real trade-offs.
Nginx and Apache compared
| Nginx | Apache HTTP Server | |
|---|---|---|
| Main roles | Web server, reverse proxy, cache, load balancer, mail proxy | Modular, extensible web server |
| Licence | 2-clause BSD | Apache License from The Apache Software Foundation |
| Per-directory config | Set in nginx.conf, no override files in its guide | .htaccess files when AllowOverride permits |
| Concurrency model | Event methods such as epoll and kqueue, low memory per connection | Choice of prefork, worker or event modules |
| Commercial backing | Enterprise distributions and support from F5 | Run by The Apache Software Foundation |
| Tested platforms | FreeBSD, Linux, Solaris, macOS, Windows and more | Linux, Windows, macOS and most Unix-like systems |
Why .htaccess is the real dividing line
Apache's own tutorial is refreshingly honest about .htaccess files. They let you change configuration per directory without touching the main server files, which is handy on shared hosting where you can't edit those files. But the docs warn that when AllowOverride allows .htaccess files, httpd looks in every directory for them, a performance hit whether or not you use them, and loads the file on every request. The default value of AllowOverride is None, so they're ignored unless someone switches them on.
Nginx works differently. Its beginner's guide says the way nginx and its modules work is determined in the configuration file, named nginx.conf by default, and you reload that configuration to apply changes. There's no per-directory override file in the guide, so changes need access to the server itself. That single difference explains a lot about where each server shows up.
What Nginx is built for
Nginx.org describes nginx as an HTTP web server, reverse proxy, content cache, load balancer, TCP and UDP proxy and mail proxy, originally written by Igor Sysoev and distributed under the 2-clause BSD licence. It lists itself as the world's most popular web server, citing Netcraft, and as one of the most popular Docker images. Its feature list includes a striking efficiency claim: 10,000 inactive HTTP keep-alive connections take about 2.5M of memory. You can also reconfigure and upgrade it without interrupting visitors.
What Apache is built for
The Apache HTTP Server project calls httpd a fast, reliable and extensible open source web server for modern operating systems. Its multi-processing modules let you tune how it handles traffic: sites needing scalability can choose the threaded worker or event modules, while sites needing stability or compatibility with older software can use prefork. Apache httpd 2.2 is end of life, so anything still on it should move to 2.4.
Which one fits your situation
- On shared hosting with WordPress plugins that write .htaccess rules? Apache.
- Serving lots of static files or many simultaneous visitors? Nginx's low memory use helps.
- Need a reverse proxy or load balancer in front of an app? Nginx was built for it.
- Running older software that expects prefork? Apache's prefork module keeps it happy.
- Want both? Nginx can sit in front as a reverse proxy, passing requests to Apache behind it.
If you're choosing a host at the same time, start with my guide to choosing a hosting provider for your blog, and for context on why Apache shows up everywhere, see how many websites use WordPress.
My advice on Nginx or Apache
For a small business site on managed or shared hosting, use whatever your host runs and focus on caching and a lightweight theme instead. If you manage your own server, I'd choose Nginx for new builds, because it handles traffic efficiently and doubles as a proxy and cache. Keep Apache where you depend on .htaccess rules or modules that only Apache supports, and make sure you're on the 2.4 branch.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Nginx faster than Apache?
Nginx is designed for high performance with low resource use; nginx.org says 10,000 inactive keep-alive connections take about 2.5M of memory. Apache can be tuned with its worker or event modules.
Does Nginx use .htaccess files?
Nginx's guide says its behaviour is set in its configuration file, nginx.conf by default, with no per-directory override file. Apache supports .htaccess files when AllowOverride allows them.
Are Nginx and Apache free?
Yes. Nginx is distributed under the 2-clause BSD licence, and Apache HTTP Server is an open source project of The Apache Software Foundation.
Can I use Nginx and Apache together?
Yes. Nginx works as a reverse proxy and load balancer, so it can sit in front of Apache and pass requests to it.
Is Apache 2.2 still supported?
No. The Apache project says httpd 2.2 is end of life, with a final release in 2017, and users should upgrade to 2.4.
