Alternatives to Apache HTTP Server
The long-running modular web server behind a large share of the web. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Apache HTTP Server
The long-running modular web server behind a large share of the web.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Apache HTTP Server.
Nginx
Web server, reverse proxy, cache and load balancer.
Nginx uses an event-driven model that handles many idle connections cheaply under a BSD-2-Clause licence, but it has no .htaccess overrides and some features need Nginx Plus.
Caddy
A web server that obtains and renews HTTPS certificates automatically, with a config file short enough to fit on a postcard.
Caddy obtains and renews HTTPS certificates automatically with a short config file, but it has fewer third-party modules and adding modules means rebuilding with xcaddy.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Apache HTTP Server as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Traefik
Reverse proxy that discovers services automatically from Docker, Kubernetes and more.
Apache HTTP Server is a modular Apache-2.0 web server that can reverse proxy, with a huge module ecosystem, but it uses more memory per connection and needs manual configuration.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
HAProxy
High-performance TCP and HTTP load balancer and proxy.
Nginx Proxy Manager
Browser interface for Nginx reverse proxy hosts with automatic Let's Encrypt certificates.
Pomerium
An identity-aware reverse proxy that gives secure access to internal applications without a VPN.
