Nginx vs Apache: Web Server Comparison

Apache (HTTPD) and Nginx power over 50% of the internet. Apache ruled the early web; Nginx rose to solve the problems of the modern web.

Apache: The Flexible Giant

Apache uses a process-based or thread-based architecture. For every connection, it spawns a thread/process.

• Pros: .htaccess files. This allows decentralized configuration. Users can override server settings per directory without restarting the server. Great for shared hosting.
• Cons: Heavy. Under high load (10,000 connections), spawning 10,000 threads consumes massive RAM. It suffers from the "C10k problem."

Nginx: The Event-Driven Speedster

Nginx uses an asynchronous, event-driven architecture. Including a small number of worker processes that handle thousands of connections each in a non-blocking loop.

• Pros: Incredible speed and low memory usage. Handles static files 2-3x faster than Apache. Excellent as a Reverse Proxy / Load Balancer.
• Cons: No .htaccess. Configuration is centralized. Changes require a server reload. PHP is not embedded (requires PHP-FPM).

Which to Choose?

• Use Nginx heavily for: High-traffic sites, static content delivery, reverse proxying, load balancing, and modern application servers (Node.js/Python/Go frontends).
• Use Apache for: Shared hosting environments where users need .htaccess control, or legacy applications relying on specific Apache modules.

The Pro Move: Use Both. Put Nginx in front as a Reverse Proxy to cache static files and handle SSL termination, and pass dynamic requests to Apache backend. This gives you Nginx speed with Apache compatibility.