# pache vs. Nginx – Which Web Server Suits You?

pache vs. Nginx – Which Web Server Suits You? – Web hosting and domain knowledge from NexoraHost.

**Quick answer:** Apache vs Nginx: both run in Plesk. Nginx is often faster as reverse proxy; Apache is more flexible with .htaccess.

Apache and Nginx are the two most widely used web servers worldwide. Both deliver your website to visitors – but they work differently and have different strengths. This overview helps you choose the right web server for your project.

**Note:** Detailed installation guides can be found in the articles in the left navigation.

## The most important differences at a glance

    
        Feature
        Apache
        Nginx
    

    
        Processing
        Process-based – each connection gets its own thread
        Event-based – one instance handles thousands of connections simultaneously
    

    
        RAM usage
        Higher (more processes = more RAM)
        Lower (remains stable even under high load)
    

    
        .htaccess
        Yes – per-directory configuration possible
        No – all settings are central
    

    
        Performance with many simultaneous visitors
        Weaker – RAM usage increases proportionally
        Strong – remains stable even with thousands of connections
    

    
        Modules
        Many modules, dynamically loadable
        Modules compiled in, less choice
    

    
        Use as reverse proxy
        Possible, but not optimal
        Perfectly suited – one of its main strengths
    

    
        Beginner-friendliness
        Easier – .htaccess allows quick changes
        Slightly more complex – configuration only centrally
    

## Apache – The All-Rounder

Apache is the older of the two and has been the standard on most servers for decades. Its greatest strength is flexibility: With `.htaccess` files you can set individual rules for each directory without restarting the server. This is ideal for shared hosting where many users work on one server and each needs their own settings.

**Apache suits you if:**

    - You run WordPress, Joomla or other CMS (which often rely on .htaccess)
- You use shared webspace and can't change server-wide settings
- You need many individual rewrite rules per directory
- You want to dynamically load and unload modules

## Nginx – The Performance Specialist

Nginx was developed to solve the C10K problem – handling 10,000 simultaneous connections on one server. Its event-based architecture keeps RAM usage low even under high load. This makes it ideal for high-traffic websites, APIs and as a reverse proxy in front of other services.

**Nginx suits you if:**

    - You expect many simultaneous visitors
- You want to run a reverse proxy in front of Apache or other services
- You have little RAM available (e.g. small VPS)
- You run a game server or an API
- You want to serve static content (images, videos) quickly

## The best solution: Combine Apache + Nginx

In practice, many servers use both together: Nginx as a reverse proxy in front of Apache. This gives you the best of both worlds:

    - Nginx handles all incoming connections – fast and resource-saving
- Static files (images, CSS, JavaScript) are served directly by Nginx
- Dynamic content (PHP) is forwarded by Nginx to Apache
- Apache processes the complex rewrite rules and .htaccess files

This combination is often called "Nginx Reverse Proxy in front of Apache" and runs on many production systems.

## Which hosting product suits what?

    
        Product
        Recommendation
    

    
        Webspace (Shared Hosting)
        Apache – because of .htaccess support
    

    
        VPS / Root Server (small)
        Nginx – saves RAM
    

    
        VPS / Root Server (large)
        Nginx + Apache combined – maximum performance and flexibility
    

    
        Game Server
        Nginx – as reverse proxy for web interfaces
    

## Quick installation guide

### Install Apache (Ubuntu/Debian)

`sudo apt update
sudo apt install apache2 -y
sudo systemctl enable --now apache2`

### Install Nginx (Ubuntu/Debian)

`sudo apt update
sudo apt install nginx -y
sudo systemctl enable --now nginx`

*Detailed installation and configuration guides can be found in the articles in the left navigation.*

## Related guides

    - [Set up webspace](/en/webspace/set-up)
- [Change nameservers – domain won't connect](/en/domain/nameserver)
- [DNS not working / propagation](/en/domain/dns-what-is-it)
- [Set up SSL correctly](/en/domain/ssl-einrichten)
- [SPF, DKIM & DMARC (email)](/en/domain/spf-dkim-dmarc)
- [Email with your domain](/en/webspace/mail)
- [Make website faster](/en/webspace/website-schneller-machen)
- [Domain & DNS hub](/en/domain)

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