Apache HTTP Server AlternativesTop Web Servers and other similar apps like Apache HTTP Server

Apache HTTP Server is described as 'Apache, is a web server notable for playing a key role in the initial growth of the World Wide Web and in 2009 became the first web server to surpass the 100 million web site milestone. Apache was the first viable alternative to the Netscape Communications Corporation web' and is a very popular Web Server in the development category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Apache HTTP Server for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, Mac, Self-Hosted and BSD apps. The best Apache HTTP Server alternative is nginx, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Apache HTTP Server are Caddy, Ferron, lighttpd and HFS 2 (HTTP File Server).

Apache HTTP Server iconApache HTTP Server
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Apache, is a web server notable for playing a key role in the initial growth of the World Wide Web and in 2009 became the...

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Apache HTTP Server alternatives page was last updated Jun 16, 2025
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  1. nginx icon

    nginx

     314 likes
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    nginx [engine x] is a HTTP and reverse proxy server, as well as a mail proxy server written by Igor Sysoev. It has been running for more than five years on many heavily loaded Russian sites including Rambler (RamblerMedia.com).

    57 nginx alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Manual page

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Configurable

    Features

    1.  Reverse Proxy
    2.  Low memory usage
    3.  Load balancing
    4.  HTTPS Support
    5.  HTTP server
    6.  Modular System
    7.  Portable
    8.  Modules
    9.  Multicast RTP streaming

    nginx VS Apache HTTP Server

     
    Comments about nginx as an Alternative to Apache HTTP Server
    Gamliel Fishkin
    Positive Jan 23, 2018
    1

    Nginx as highly configurable as Apache, but Nginx consumes less resources.

    alexprange
    Positive Apr 18, 2019
    -1

    nginx is a great alternative if using as reverse proxy, or hosting pages that strictly use html/css/javascript for content, but if you have php, python, or any other server side languages in your code i would recommend using Apache

    Apache HTTP Server Icon
    nginx icon

    • Almost everyone thinks nginx is a great Apache HTTP Server alternative.

    • nginx is the most popular Mac & Linux alternative to Apache HTTP Server.

    • nginx is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Apache HTTP Server.

    • nginx is Free and Open SourceApache HTTP Server is also Free and Open Source
    • nginx is LightweightApache HTTP Server is not according to our users
  2. Caddy icon

    Caddy

     58 likes
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    Caddy is a web server like Apache, nginx, or lighttpd, but with different goals, features, and advantages.

    23 Caddy alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • FreeBSD
    • OpenBSD
    Homepage

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Simple installation
    2.  HTTPS Support
    3.  Support for Let's Encrypt
    4.  HTTP Proxy
    5.  Portable
    6.  Modular System
    7.  Support for MarkDown
    8.  HTTP server
    9.  Content Management

    Caddy VS Apache HTTP Server

     

    • Most users think Caddy is a great Apache HTTP Server alternative.

    • Caddy is the most popular Windows alternative to Apache HTTP Server.

    • Caddy is Free and Open SourceApache HTTP Server is also Free and Open Source
    • Caddy is LightweightApache HTTP Server is not according to our users
  4. Ferron icon

    Ferron

     7 likes
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    Ferron is a web server optimized for speed, security, and efficiency. Written in Rust, it offers memory safety and performance, making it ideal for modern websites.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    • Docker
    • Windows
    • BSD
    • FreeBSD
    Ferron screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Security-focused
    2.  Customizable
    3.  Optimal performance

    Features

    1.  No Tracking
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  No registration required
    4.  Supports SSL Certificates
    5.  Modular System

    Ferron VS Apache HTTP Server

     

    • Ferron is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Apache HTTP Server.

    • Ferron is Free and Open SourceApache HTTP Server is also Free and Open Source
  5. lighttpd icon

    lighttpd

     59 likes
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    lighttpd (pronounced "lighty") is a web server designed to be secure, fast, standards-compliant, and flexible while being optimized for speed-critical environments.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    lighttpd screenshot 1

    lighttpd Features

    1.  HTTP server

    lighttpd VS Apache HTTP Server

     
  6. HFS 2 (HTTP File Server) icon

    HFS 2 (HTTP File Server)

     77 likes
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    You can use HFS (HTTP File Server) to send and receive files. Its different from classic file sharing because it uses web technology to be more compatible with todays Internet. It also differs from classic web servers because its very easy to use and runs "right out-of-the.

    48 HFS 2 (HTTP File Server) alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • IT flagItaly
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Wine
    Main window for backend

    HFS 2 (HTTP File Server) Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Portable
    3.  Virtual filesystem

    HFS 2 (HTTP File Server) VS Apache HTTP Server

     
  7. Microsoft IIS icon

    Microsoft IIS

     26 likes
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    Internet Information Services (IIS) for Windows® Server is a flexible, secure and easy-to-manage Web server for hosting anything on the Web. From media streaming to web application hosting, IIS’s scalable and open architecture is ready to handle the most demanding tasks.

    38 Microsoft IIS alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Microsoft IIS screenshot 1

    Microsoft IIS Features

    1.  PowerShell Scripting

    Microsoft IIS VS Apache HTTP Server

     

    • Some users think Microsoft IIS is a great Apache HTTP Server alternative, some don't.

    • Microsoft IIS is the most popular commercial alternative to Apache HTTP Server.

    • Microsoft IIS is Paid and ProprietaryApache HTTP Server is Free and Open Source
  9. OpenLiteSpeed icon

    OpenLiteSpeed

     7 likes
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    OpenLiteSpeed is a high-performance, lightweight, open source HTTP server developed and copyrighted by LiteSpeed Technologies. Users are free to download, use, distribute, and modify OpenLiteSpeed.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux

    OpenLiteSpeed Features

    1.  HTTP server

    OpenLiteSpeed VS Apache HTTP Server

     
    Comments about OpenLiteSpeed as an Alternative to Apache HTTP Server
    Michal D.
    Negative Jan 15, 2022
    0

    To get similiar funciotnality, a paid version is needed

    Apache HTTP Server Icon
    OpenLiteSpeed icon
    • OpenLiteSpeed is Free and Open SourceApache HTTP Server is also Free and Open Source
  10. LiteSpeed Web Server (LSWS) icon

    LiteSpeed Web Server (LSWS)

     2 likes
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    LiteSpeed Web Server (LSWS) is a high-performance Apache drop-in replacement. LSWS is the 4th most popular web server on the internet and the #1 commercial web server. Upgrading your web server to LiteSpeed Web Server will improve your performance and lower operating...

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Linux

    LiteSpeed Web Server (LSWS) Features

    1.  SSL

    LiteSpeed Web Server (LSWS) VS Apache HTTP Server

     
  11. Cherokee icon

    Cherokee

     23 likes
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    Cherokee is a flexible, very fast, lightweight Web server. It is implemented entirely in C, and has no dependencies beyond a standard C library. It is embeddable and extensible with plug-ins. It supports on-the-fly configuration by reading files or strings, TLS/SSL (via GNUTLS...

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    version 1.0.8, control panel.

    Cherokee Features

    1.  HTTP server

    Cherokee VS Apache HTTP Server

     
  12. Angie icon

    Angie

     1 like
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    Angie is an efficient, powerful and scalable web server, that was forked from nginx by some of its former core devs, with intention to extend functionality far beyond original version.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Country of Origin

    • CY flagCyprus
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian

    Angie Features

    1.  Nginx
    2.  HTTP server

    Angie VS Apache HTTP Server

     
  13. Nitro Server icon

    Nitro Server

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    Create web servers with everything you need and deploy them wherever you prefer.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • FR flagFrance
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    • JavaScript
    • Typescript
    Nitro Server screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Zero configuration
    4.  Built-in routing
    5.  Support for Typescript

    Nitro Server VS Apache HTTP Server

     
  14. BunkerWeb icon

    BunkerWeb

     4 likes
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    BunkerWeb is a next-generation and open-source Web Application Firewall (WAF).

    51 BunkerWeb alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • FR flagFrance
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted

    BunkerWeb Features

    1.  Kubernetes
    2. Docker icon  Support for Docker
    3.  Nginx

    BunkerWeb VS Apache HTTP Server

     
12 of 53 Apache HTTP Server alternatives