Published September 25, 2024

Which Web Server Do SMEs Prefer? A Data-Driven Comparison: NGINX vs Apache

The options become narrowed down to the two most widely used web servers, sparking the NGINX vs Apache debate: who’s better for SMEs? According to W3Techs, as of July 2024, NGINX is used by 34.0% of all websites whose web server is known,1 while Apache holds about 29.3% of the market share. This prominence is attributed to their ability to handle high traffic efficiently and their exceptional flexibility.

 

To understand their current positions, it's valuable to review how these web servers have evolved over time. In October 2020, Apache was leading with a market share of 36.2%, compared to NGINX’s 32.4% 2. This data highlights the crucial role both technologies play in the web hosting industry. This blog will provide an extended review of the NGINX vs Apache comparison, focusing on how these two servers are designed to assist SMEs.

  NGINX    

What is a Web Server, and How Is It Used By SMBs?

At its core, a web server is an application that delivers web content to clients through the World Wide Web. It is involved in transactions between the web client, for example, a net browser, and sends and serves Web pages, images, etc. SMBs depend on web servers as the foundation of any online business, and that is why it is important to make sure that these web servers are reliable, as they must be able to provide fast, secure and always available websites to consumers. These servers host websites, web applications, and APIs, which are essential components of SMBs' online operations.

Checklist Of Top Web Server Technologies For SMBs

To assist SMBs in selecting the most suitable web server technology, the following table compares several top options based on key parameters:

Web Server Ease of Use Performance Security Features Scalability Cost Why It’s Best for SMBs
NGINX Moderate High Robust Excellent Open-source High performance and low resource usage
Apache High Moderate Strong Good Open-source Flexible configuration and wide module support
LiteSpeed Easy High Excellent Excellent Paid Fast, efficient, and great for high-traffic
Microsoft IIS Moderate High Strong Good Paid Seamless integration with Windows environments
Caddy Easy Moderate Excellent Good Open-source Automatic HTTPS and simple configuration

Why NGINX and Apache Are Leading

In the NGINX vs Apache comparison, both have risen to prominence in the web server market due to their flexibility and superior handling of high traffic. Notably, NGINX excels in speed during high loads due to its event-driven model, which efficiently processes multiple requests simultaneously. In contrast, Apache is favoured for its flexibility and extensive module support, allowing for customisation to meet specific needs. Both servers have strong communities and extensive documentation, making them accessible and reliable choices for SMEs

Architecture Handling Connections of NGINX and Apache

NGINX employs an asynchronous, non-blocking, event-driven architecture. It can handle multiple connections from one thread, making it very efficient and able to practically support thousands of connections with little memory use.
Conversely, Apache utilizes a process-driven model, managing each request with a separate thread or process. This can lead to higher memory consumption under heavy load but allows for greater flexibility and easier debugging.

NGINX vs Apache

Below is a detailed comparison of NGINX and Apache across several critical parameters

Feature NGINX Apache
Directory-Level Configurations - No htaccess, configurations in main files
- Centralized management
- Less overhead for parsing
- Supports htaccess for directory-level
- Decentralized management
- Easy for users to control configurations at a directory level
Modules - Dynamic, requires recompilation for new modules
- Focused on performance
- Limited built-in modules
- Wide range of modules
- Easy to extend
- Many built-in modules
Security - Strong, fewer vulnerabilities reported
- Regular updates
- Minimal attack surface
- Strong, well-established security features
- Regular security patches
- Extensive security documentation
Pros - High performance
- Low resource usage
- Scalable
- Flexible
- Extensive documentation
- Easy to configure
Technology Industry Company Name
APACHE Technology IBM
APACHE Technology Apple
APACHE Technology Oracle
APACHE Technology HP
APACHE Technology Siemens
APACHE Technology Dell
APACHE Software Adobe
APACHE Software Mozilla
APACHE Software Salesforce
APACHE E-commerce eBay
APACHE Financial Services PayPal
APACHE Financial Services Bank of America
APACHE Financial Services Bloomberg
APACHE Research CERN
APACHE Broadcasting BBC
APACHE Media The Weather Channel
APACHE Media The Guardian
APACHE Media The New York Times
APACHE Travel Expedia
APACHE Social Media Reddit
APACHE Education Khan Academy
APACHE Airline British Airways
APACHE Retail Best Buy
APACHE Hospitality Hilton
APACHE Web Hosting GoDaddy
APACHE Web Hosting WordPress.com
APACHE Web Services Yahoo
APACHE Telecommunications Comcast
APACHE Telecommunications Alcatel-Lucent
APACHE Telecommunications Verizon
APACHE Telecommunications Vodafone
APACHE Telecommunications CenturyLink

List of Companies Using NGINX and Apache Globally

Technology Industry Company Name
NGINX Technology Tencent
NGINX Software Development GitHub
NGINX Software Development Atlassian
NGINX Software Development Bitbucket
NGINX Cloud Storage Dropbox
NGINX Software Grammarly
NGINX Web Hosting WordPress.com
NGINX Web Hosting WPEngine
NGINX Social Media Pinterest
NGINX Social Media Twitter
NGINX Social Media Instagram
NGINX Professional Networking LinkedIn
NGINX Social Networking Bumble
NGINX Video Sharing Vimeo
NGINX Image Sharing Imgur
NGINX E-commerce Shopify
NGINX E-commerce Etsy
NGINX Online Community Stack Overflow
NGINX Email Services FastMail
NGINX Cybersecurity OpenDNS
NGINX Music Streaming SoundCloud
NGINX Streaming Hulu
NGINX Streaming Netflix
NGINX Education Coursera
NGINX Education Udemy
NGINX Food Delivery DoorDash
NGINX Delivery Glovo
NGINX Freelancing TaskRabbit
NGINX Event Management Eventbrite
NGINX Video Conferencing Zoom
NGINX Business Communication Slack
NGINX Fitness Peloton
NGINX Project Management Trello
NGINX Crowdfunding Kickstarter
NGINX Design Canva
NGINX Hospitality Airbnb
NGINX Gaming Zynga

Dynamic vs Static Content: Performance Comparison of NGINX and Apache

In terms of static content, NGINX vs Apache performance shows NGINX generally outperforms Apache thanks to its efficient handling of multiple connections. It serves static files directly and with minimal overhead. Regarding dynamic content, both servers perform admirably, though the choice may depend on the specific application stack and configuration.

How do you select the right web server for your specific needs?

    1. Traffic Volume and Performance Needs: If your website expects high traffic and you need exceptional performance and low resource usage, NGINX might be the better choice due to its event-driven architecture. However, if flexibility and extensive module support are more important for your application, Apache could be preferable.

    2. Ease of Configuration and Management: Evaluate your team’s familiarity with server configuration. Apache’s support for htaccess files allows for easier directory-level configuration, which might be beneficial for teams who need to manage multiple sites or configurations. NGINX’s centralised configuration might appeal to those who prefer a single configuration file for management.

    3. Security Considerations: Both servers offer strong security features, but they handle updates and vulnerabilities differently. Consider how your organisation plans to manage updates and security patches. Apache has a long history of strong security features and extensive documentation, while NGINX’s minimal attack surface and regular updates might appeal to those prioritising high security.

    4. Application Stack and Compatibility: Think about the technologies and languages your web applications use. Apache integrates seamlessly with traditional LAMP stacks and various scripting languages, while NGINX works well with modern technologies and can be used effectively with FastCGI.

    5. Scalability and Resource Usage: If you need to scale efficiently and handle many simultaneous connections with minimal resource usage, NGINX’s architecture might be advantageous. Apache, while capable, may require more resources under heavy load.

    6. Budget and Licensing: Both NGINX and Apache are open-source and free to use, but you should consider any additional costs related to support, plugins, or premium features if applicable.

    Weighing the factors in the NGINX vs Apache decision will help you make a well-informed choice on which web server best aligns with your organization’s goals and requirements.


Conclusion

For SMEs, selecting the right web server is essential to achieving optimal performance and reliability. In the NGINX vs Apache comparison, both are excellent choices, each with its own strengths. NGINX stands out for its performance and efficiency, whereas Apache is known for its flexibility and ease of configuration. Understanding these differences and capabilities will enable SMEs to choose the server that best meets their specific needs or to hire top dedicated offshore developers from a reliable partner for expert guidance and support.

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