A web server is a significant element of the digital landscape that efficiently handles the storage, processing, and delivery of web content to end users. Different web server software solutions are available on the market that can assist developers and businesses in wisely choosing the right option depending on crucial factors such as performance, reliability, speed, and safety.
In this article, we present a detailed compilation of the most prominent web server names, together with their important attributes and functionalities. After reviewing these alternatives, you can efficiently analyze which web server best fits your technical specifications and fulfills operational needs, assuring an optimal user experience.
Web Server Categories
Apache, IIS, Nginx, and LiteSpeed are the 4 major web server categories. We’ll now go through each of them in more detail.
1. Apache Web Server
Apache Web Server is a leading web server that was designed by the Apache Software Foundation. This open-source platform supports nearly all OSs like Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, Unix FreeBSD, and so on. Today, Apache Web Server powers around 60% of the devices.
Because of its modular framework, you can effortlessly personalize an Apache server. Also, given that it is open-source software, you can add your own modules to it whenever you’re required to make changes in order to fulfill your needs.
Compared to any other web server, Apache is more stable and you can seamlessly handle all the administrative problems on it. One can successfully install Apache on more than one platform. The most recent version of Apache provides the required flexibility in order to manage several requests in comparison with its previous version.
2. IIS Web Server
The IIS web server is a product of Microsoft that provides similar features like Apache. As it isn’t open-source software, it is quite challenging to add your own modules and make changes as per your requirements.
The IIS server supports all types of platforms that operate on Windows OS. Furthermore, they’ve got outstanding customer support services so that if you face any issue, you can easily reach out to them.
3. Nginx Web Server
Nginx is another most preferred open-source web server after Apache, which is comprised of IMAP/POP3 proxy servers and provides significant features such as increased performance, reliability, compatibility, easy setup, and low resource utilization.
Instead of using threads to manage the user requests by Nginx, it makes use of an efficient event-driven architecture that utilizes minimum and stable memory even during heavy workloads.
The Nginx server has gained significant popularity in recent times and roughly supports around 33.8% of all websites across the world.
4. LiteSpeed Web Server
LiteSpeed Web Server (LSWS) is a commercial server that works as a high-performing alternative to Apache and it is ranked as the 4th most commonly used web server on the web. By upgrading your existing web server to LiteSpeed, you can accomplish greater performance at a reduced cost of operation.
The most commonly used features of Apache, like .htaccess, mod-rewrite, and so on, are smoothly incorporated by LiteSpeed. It has the potential to directly load Apache configuration files and effectively serve as a seamless alternative to it. It can also efficiently align with nearly all hosting control panels.
LiteSpeed can effortlessly replace the Apache server in just 15 minutes with zero downtimes. Moreover, it can also replace all the Apache functionalities that other front-end proxies are unable to do, so as to streamline the usage and ensure a smooth and easy transition from Apache.
Knowing the different types of web server solutions available on the market for making the right decisions regarding hosting platforms is quite beneficial. Every web server discussed here comes with its own purposes and unique features that cater to varying needs like improved performance, versatility, or flexibility.
From Apache and Nginx to LiteSpeed and Microsoft IIS, picking the best option depends on your particular needs and framework. After thoroughly analyzing each web server’s capabilities, developers and organizations can assure high-level performance and safety, matching the web server choices to the technical needs of their projects.
