Apache vs. NGINX: Choosing the Best Option for Your Business Website‍

It’s 2024, and the new year traditionally brings an increase in the number of websites (we do live in the information and technology age, after all). But with all these new sites, the question arises “Which server is the best for business needs?” In any case, Apache and NGINX are at the first spot on the list of the most well known web servers, two totally different yet strong decisions. 

Knowing which of the two, Apache vs can be troublesome. NGINX is great for you. Your decision currently can influence your site execution, for instance, search rankings, and have extensive impacts on the progress of your business. So, in this post, we will look at the two servers, deciding what makes them great (and also covering not-so-cool features), to settle the question once and for all. 

What Is the Major Difference Between Apache and NGINX?

Apache and NGINX are both great web servers. Still, each one is designed differently, which makes each of them more suitable for a specific use. For example, looking at the way the two handle clients' requests, it’s clear that they each have their pros and cons (more on that later). Apache is designed to be more flexible and allow for customized complex processes for each client request. The only problem is the fact that each single thread is tied to one connection. It doesn’t take much to cross the limit and cause an issue.  

With NGINX  being an event-driven architecture, on the other hand, you can handle multiple client requests at the same time. A single thread can take on several multiple connections at the same time using less memory, which is a huge plus for some people. This difference between Apache and NGINX performance means that people like you now have to carefully weigh their needs before choosing any of the two. 

For example, a business website needs a server that is secure, fast, and can handle almost anything thrown at it. Your web performance can determine the profitability of your business, especially since you must be able to deliver quality content that loads instantly, whether it is your product pages or blog posts. No one wants to stick around waiting for a page that takes forever to load. And we all know high bounce rates and downtimes can have a negative impact on search rankings.  

Whether you are an e-store selling frying pans or a marketplace for buying backlinks, your website (app) usability doesn’t start with different payment options, beautiful design, or outstanding content; it starts with your performance. 

Apache vs. NGINX: Pros and Cons 

Along these lines, expecting you are considering which one of Apache versus NGINX is the best for a business site, you really want to look at the potential gains and drawbacks for each. Besides the fact that one has a process-driven architecture while another one has an event-driven approach, what else is there to weigh or think about when making your decision? Well, it turns out there are many things. With the Apache web server, you get the following pros: 

• Load dynamic content internally 

• Install as many as 50 or more modules, including official and third-party options, which makes it easy to modify tons of things

• Enjoy the flexibility of root access to modify files and gain more control over settings

• Get more support for all different operating systems, including Windows, Linux, etc.

But this means that on the flip side, you’ll have to struggle with:

• Be limited to handling requests one at a time (which is not ideal for a big e-commerce site)

• Cope with limited memory, especially when there are many client requests

• Face slow website loading and downtimes that require you to use multi-processing modules to skip or limit this issue.

With NGINX, you get to:

• Set it up and run without much effort or skill

• Run multiple requests concurrently, enjoying both speed and scalability

• Avoid worrying about a high surge in traffic or memory usage

• Use it easily as a reverse proxy server in a pinch

• Turn to many online communities ready to help you figure out a working solution if you run into any trouble or issue

On the con side, you have to: 

• Do with very little support for most Windows OS

• Really rely on tons of third-party modules

• Be content with handling mostly static content or use external processes to handle dynamic content

Comparison of NGINX and Apache Features

There are many features we look forward to seeing in any software we plan to use; plus, there are probably one or two “blings” we hope to add thanks to the application modernization tips by constant new updates and third-party apps. Still, it can take a little more to tip the scale in favor of one server or the other in the final round.  So, here are the features most people focus on when making a choice between the two options. 

Architecture and Configuration

Apache, as pointed out earlier, uses a process-based architecture while the NGINX is event-driven. Since Apache is a thread-per-connection system, you will find that it’s easy for your server to become overloaded and work slowly. But you can also use multi-processing modules (MPMs) to prevent this from happening. Because Apache is more configurable with the access files, you can decide who has access to what and what they do with it, which is not possible with the NGINX.

The NGINX uses a single controller with numerous sub-processes to handle multiple events asynchronously. This is important if you want your business to target customers from different regions, say, if you are a local-based small business with a website just for helping your customers find your physical store.

Performance Rate

When it comes to dynamic content delivery, Apache wins hands down but then struggles with static content. The NGINX is the opposite in this regard. You may want to consider this aspect if you want to build a personalized content marketing strategy that responds to each visitor's individual preferences. 

Of course, you can always use an external processor where your choice falls short. Remember that if you want to top the search results in your niche, then you must ensure you have a trustworthy site for your backlink, your content, and your visitors, which is crucial for SEO, especially if you are trying to promote your apps or software.

Security 

Security is a cornerstone for any business. With all the cyber threats, security isn’t only essential for your company’s processes but also for your customers. Besides, the search engine algorithm favors secure websites and will assign them better rankings (a little bonus). Apart from training your employees, using MFA, carrying out regular security investigations, and backing up your data, every business needs to choose tools and software that are natively more secure. And when it comes to web servers, you’ve guessed it – this is even more important. 

You will be happy to know that both the NGINX and Apache servers offer good, robust, secure connections in their own way. Of course, it’s also a good idea to add extra layers of protection, including tinkering with the configurations to ensure maximum security. The good news is that both also come with great support systems, with each having comprehensive documentation and active communities, plus tons of guides and tutorials to help you troubleshoot any issues.

4 Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Apache Web Server vs. NGINX

If you still have doubts about who wins the battle, the Apache web server vs. NGINX, ask yourself these four questions:

1. What rate of web traffic do you expect? A web server you choose simply must handle your load. Otherwise, what’s that for? 

2. What level of skill and control do you want? Depending on your needs, either Apache or NGINX will give you the flexibility you need. This point is probably one of the most fundamental ones. Why? Because it will highly influence your site configurations.

3. What are your technical skills? Sometimes, it isn’t about a server, a software, or a tool. Sometimes, it’s about our preparation and skillset. While you don’t need to be a pro to use any of these two options, you should remember that Apache is much more hands-on. At the same, it has a big community that has been around for a while and has seen it all. 

4. What type of content are you planning to use? Do you concentrate on static or dynamic content? This will be crucial to determine your winner. Spoiler: Choose Apache for dynamic. 

Conclusion 

Because it all depends on the vision you have for your business, it might be difficult to make up your mind on which one is best now. Toss in the way that what appears to be wonderful today may not be the best fit tomorrow, and it is not difficult to see the reason why many get confused. Be that as it may, notwithstanding the enormous contrast among Apache and NGINX, it is still truly conceivable to utilize both and outdo the two universes.