Ronald Caldwell Developers and agencies alike are continually trying to serve their websites faster. And for those that manage Your web server choice shapes everything about your online presence – from loading speeds and security to your monthly hosting bills. It’s a decision that impacts your site’s success from day one.
Among the popular options are Apache, which powers nearly a quarter of all websites, and LiteSpeed, a newer alternative known for its performance capabilities.
Which delivers better speed? How do they handle security? What’s the real cost of running each? This comparison offers practical insights to help you make the right choice for your needs.
Key points
- Web servers perform essential functions like request processing, content delivery, and security management, providing necessary context for understanding the comparison between major server solutions.
- LiteSpeed and Apache are two popular web server choices with distinct approaches: LiteSpeed offers superior performance with commercial support, while Apache provides open-source flexibility and broad compatibility.
- The comparison covers key factors including architecture, speed, security, and costs, helping organizations match their specific needs with the right solution.
What is a web server?
A web server is software that processes HTTP requests from clients (typically web browsers) and serves web content in response. It acts as the foundation for hosting websites and web applications, handling everything from simple static pages to complex dynamic content.
Some of the main functions of a web server include:
- Request processing: They receive and interpret HTTP requests from browsers, mobile apps, and other clients, determining what content needs to be delivered.
- Content delivery: Web servers handle both static content (HTML files, images, CSS, JavaScript) and dynamic content generated through server-side programming languages.
- Protocol management: They implement HTTP/HTTPS protocols, manage web communication standards, and ensure proper data transmission.
- Security implementation: Web servers maintain security through SSL/TLS encryption, access controls, and security protocols.
- Resource management: They handle concurrent connections, manage server resources, and implement caching strategies.
- Load distribution: Web servers can distribute traffic across multiple servers to maintain performance under heavy loads.
What is an Apache HTTP server?
Apache HTTP Server, often just called Apache, is the world’s most widely-used web server software. Developed and maintained by the Apache Software Foundation since 1995, it’s an open-source solution that emphasizes flexibility and stability.
Apache’s modular architecture allows extensive customization through third-party modules, making it adaptable to various hosting needs. Its open-source nature means no licensing costs, while extensive community support helps users resolve issues quickly. The server runs effectively across different operating systems and supports multiple programming languages, making it a versatile choice for many organizations.
What is a LiteSpeed web server?
LiteSpeed Web Server (LSWS) is a proprietary web server solution developed by LiteSpeed Technologies. Designed as a drop-in replacement for Apache, it combines Apache configuration compatibility with an event-driven architecture for better resource management.
LiteSpeed focuses on performance optimization, offering native HTTP/3 and QUIC support for modern web standards. Its built-in caching system and optimization features work immediately after installation, requiring minimal setup. The server specifically targets common performance bottlenecks, making it effective for high-traffic websites and resource-intensive applications. Enterprise-level technical support backs these capabilities, providing direct assistance when needed.
Litespeed vs. Apache: A detailed comparison
Architecture
LiteSpeed and Apache take fundamentally different approaches to handling website traffic. LiteSpeed uses an event-driven system that manages all connections through a single process or very few processes, keeping resource usage low by reusing processes efficiently. This approach allows LiteSpeed to handle multiple concurrent connections without creating additional overhead, resulting in better memory utilization and CPU efficiency.
Apache creates new processes or threads for each connection through its process-based architecture. While this traditional approach has proven reliable over decades of use, it requires more server resources, especially during high-traffic periods. As visitor numbers increase, Apache spawns additional processes to handle new connections, which can lead to higher memory usage and potential performance degradation under heavy loads.
Speed and performance
Both Apache and LiteSpeed offer different performance characteristics that affect website speed and resource usage. Comparative performance between the two servers varies depending on specific configurations and use cases, with both capable of handling high-traffic websites effectively.
However, LiteSpeed has established itself as an innovator in web server technology, particularly in protocol support. LiteSpeed leads the industry in adopting modern web standards, being the first to offer production-grade HTTP/3 support. HTTP/3, the successor to HTTP/2, represents the newest version of the Hypertext Transfer Protocol. This approach to web protocols provides enhanced performance for mobile users and those with unstable connections.
OS support and compatibility
Apache works on virtually every server operating system out there – Windows, OpenVMS, and all Unix-like systems. his broad compatibility makes it a practical choice for organizations with diverse infrastructure requirements or specific operating system needs.
LiteSpeed focuses specifically on Linux distributions like CentOS, Debian, Ubuntu, and RHEL, without Windows support. Both servers integrate with standard hosting control panels like cPanel, Plesk, and DirectAdmin, ensuring smooth operation in typical hosting environments.
Caching and optimization
LiteSpeed’s built-in LSCache system provides server-level caching out of the box. The system includes intelligent compression methodology and Redis-based caching, which is known to reduce page load times. These caching features require minimal configuration while delivering substantial performance benefits.
Apache handles caching through additional modules like mod_cache, mod_disk_cache, and mod_mem_cache. While these modules provide effective caching capabilities, they often require careful configuration and fine-tuning. Many Apache users implement external caching solutions like Varnish or Redis, which can deliver strong performance but add complexity to the server stack.
Security features
Both servers implement ModSecurity, a powerful web application firewall that protects against common vulnerabilities such as cross-site scripting (XSS) and code injection. ModSecurity works at the application layer (Layer 7) and includes the OWASP Core Rule Set for comprehensive protection.
Apache’s security framework leverages its extensive module system, with the open-source community providing regular security patches and updates. LiteSpeed’s implementation of ModSecurity maintains compatibility with existing rule sets while integrating with its server architecture.
Cost analysis
LiteSpeed operates on a commercial licensing model, with Web ADC priced at $65 monthly and an optional installation service available for a one-time fee of $150. The Enterprise Edition offers various licensing options to suit different deployment needs.
Apache is free and open-source, with no licensing fees. Users only need to consider infrastructure costs and maintenance expenses. This cost structure makes Apache an attractive option for organizations looking to minimize direct software expenses.
Technical support
LiteSpeed provides technical support through their user portal and community forums. Users can access documentation and community resources for additional assistance with their implementations.
Apache maintains comprehensive documentation and relies on community-driven support through mailing lists and forums. While it doesn’t offer official live technical assistance, its extensive community knowledge base and active forum participants provide solutions to most common issues. Organizations needing guaranteed support response times may need to consider third-party support services.
The verdict between LiteSpeed vs. Apache web servers
The choice between LiteSpeed and Apache depends heavily on your specific needs, resources, and technical requirements. Here’s a breakdown:
| Choose LiteSpeed if | Choose Apache if |
| Performance is your top priority. | You need broad operating system compatibility, including Windows and OpenVMS. |
| You run resource-intensive WordPress sites. | You have budget constraints that require a free, open-source solution. |
| You need HTTP/3 and QUIC support for modern web standards. | You have the technical expertise to configure and optimize server settings. |
| You want integrated caching solutions that work out of the box. | You value a large, established community for support. |
| You’re willing to pay licensing fees for commercial support and optimized performance. | You need extensive customization through modules. |
| Your infrastructure runs on Linux. | You’re comfortable managing external caching solutions. |
LiteSpeed on Liquid Web
The comparison between LiteSpeed and Apache reveals distinct differences in performance, architecture, and cost structure. LiteSpeed’s optimized architecture and modern protocol support make it particularly well-suited for high-traffic sites, especially those running WordPress or other dynamic content management systems.
However, performance isn’t the only consideration. Apache’s free, open-source nature and broader OS compatibility continue to make it a practical choice for many organizations. Its extensive module system and large community provide flexibility and support that some organizations may value over raw performance metrics.
Your choice should ultimately depend on your specific requirements, including:
- Budget constraints and willingness to pay for performance.
- Technical expertise available for server management.
- Operating system requirements.
- Expected traffic levels and performance needs.
- Support requirements.
For those interested in LiteSpeed’s advantages, Liquid Web offers LiteSpeed licenses with their VPS hosting, dedicated cloud server, and dedicated server hosting options. Contact their sales team to discuss adding LiteSpeed to your server configuration.