Top 10 Best Apache Web Server Alternatives (Pros and Cons)
Top 10 Best Apache Web Server Alternatives (Pros and Cons). Apache is a free and open source web server that enables users to deploy websites over the internet. It acts as a server between server and client machines. All in all, it delivers content to users on the web upon requests. The Apache web server is widely used due to its functionality and top features.
However, the Apache web server has some limitations, such as finding difficulties installing some modules and limited step-by-step documentation. If this is the case, you can think of alternative web servers.
This article discusses Top 10 Best Apache Web Server Alternatives. Read on!
What is a Web Server?
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Above all, web servers are the powerful backbone of websites, connecting them to the Internet and allowing users around the world access. Additionally, web servers operate on web specific operating systems such as Apache or Windows IIS. They use Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) to send data (images, text, and other media) to website users. Also, they provide a wide variety of features such as logging requests for administrators and hosting dynamic sites with secure authorization protocols.
How Does a Web Server Work?
Primarily speaking, w web server ingests requests from clients, interprets them, and serves up the requested data in the form of HTML documents. This is done by running a web server program that responds to client requests, typically sent via HTTP or HTTPS protocols. This application listens on a specific port and waits for incoming connections, carrying out processes such as authentication and delivering content based on the request types.
Content is pulled directly from files stored on disk or through interaction with an application layer such as PHP and other languages. Also, advanced caching mechanisms can further increase performance when frequently requested items such as images or text are needed – reducing load times for repeat page visitors. All of this happens in fractions of seconds to ensure that website visitors quickly access the requested data.
Apache Web Server Alternatives
Some of these best Apache Web Server alternatives include:
1. Nginx
First article on the list is Top 10 Best Apache Web Server Alternatives is Nginx. Well, an open source web server supporting hundreds of millions of websites. Unlike Apache, Nginx provides updated workbooks with the latest configurations, cloud deployment guides, and information on adding micro services. Moreover, Nginx uses a shared responsibility model, and is a great alternative to the Apache web server especially if you are concerned about security.
An ideal choice for high traffic websites, Nginx is renowned for its resource efficiency and incredible performance. Instead of relying on operating system threads or processes like traditional servers do, Nginx uses Event Driven architecture with requests handled in a single thread to maximize CPU usage while minimizing memory consumption – making it perfect for scalability. Not only that, it provides a wide range of powerful security features. These include denial of service (DDoS) protection, password protection, and IP address control.
Pros of Nginx
- Excellent service for static files, microservices, and APIs
- Install several virtual hosts.
- Advanced load balancing capabilities.
- The lightweight server supports multiple programming languages and frameworks.
- An open source software compliant with leading quality standards.
- Bundled solutions and value added products incorporating load balances, cache, and web server in one package.
Cons of Nginx
- Supports one PHP version per instance.
- Uses a very complex command line interface (CLI).
2. IBM WebSphere
Second on the list is IBM as a world class web server. The IBM WebSphere web server comes with enterprise grade features including automated remediation of server problems, Java environment, and high performance support for Hybrid IT. The server architecture maximizes resource utilization through containerization.
Besides, IBM WebSphere Web Server offers a powerful and safe way for businesses to host their large-scale web applications. With support for static and dynamic sites, integrated features such as SSL protection and activity logging, plus its excellent performance capabilities – it’s an ideal Apache alternative! It also provides fantastic scalability which is key in helping organizations handle sensitive data with confidence; making IBM Websphere the perfect choice if you’re looking for a comprehensive web solution.
Pros of IBM WebSphere
- Modernized containerization features on Kubernetes
- Added navigator app for full infrastructure visibility.
- Cloud based with added support for hybrid environments.
- Highly compliant with international standards
- Supports Windows, Linux, and other operating systems.
- Enterprise grade on demand support.
Cons of IBM WebSphere
- Could improve email SMTP connections.
- Lack of troubleshooting tools.
3. Plesk
Plesk is an ideal web server for no code users. This web server gives you an interface to manage website domains, email, databases, and server statistics. The Plesk all in one WordPress package comes with common extensions, plugins, and website builders. Plesk lets you secure server connections using Let’s Encrypt certificate.
Plesk Web Server offers developers a top notch solution for hosting their websites. It boasts an intuitive control panel that makes setup and maintenance quick and easy, while providing robust security tools to protect against potential threats. Furthermore, its graphical interface allows users to easily customize web applications using scripting languages like PHP and Python. This makes it suitable for creating an online presence of any size or complexity.
Besides, the high performance code implementation results in fewer headaches down the road! With Plesk Web Server, you can rest assured your website is well taken care of without relying on Apache anymore.
Pros of Plesk
Cons of Plesk
- Without the right knowledge, it may take time to perform some workloads.
- Core updates affect performance of extensions.
4. Oracle WebLogic
Oracle WebLogic, designed for enterprises, is an ideal Apache web server alternative. Use this solution to deploy servers on the cloud, or on premise environments. Oracle supports deployment on Kubernetes, Oracle cloud, and other cloud providers. Unlike other alternatives, Oracle combines a Java and Jakarta environment.
Certainly, Oracle WebLogic offers greater scalability and reliability than open source solutions such as Apache Tomcat, with lower costs associated with hosting fees and less maintenance required. In addition, users benefit from Oracle’s ironclad support and a secure platform that meets modern security needs, ensuring an efficient and worry free experience in managing applications at scale without the need to manage the underlying web server.
Comparatively, WebLogic makes it easy to deploy applications using Java Enterprise Edition (EE) and provides multiple high availability options for high traffic servers. All of these features make WebLogic a great option for businesses looking to scale quickly while taking advantage of reliable performance.
Pros of Oracle WebLogic
- Availability of APIs and tools to automate manual processes.
- Integrates with other Oracle services like RAC, Databases, Java SE, and middleware.
- Lets users auto scale based on resource consumption.
- Guarantees high performance and availability.
Cons of Oracle WebLogic
- Higher fees than the competition once you complete a free trial.
- Has a slow and complex setup process.
5. LiteSpeed Web Server
LiteSpeed is a fast enterprise grade Apache alternative. This server brings the best of security, compatibility, and speed. In addition, it has WordPress packages for faster deployment. The inbuilt cache eliminates the need for installing unnecessary plugins, which slow down your server. Even better, LiteSpeed has a free Content Delivery Network to improve how global users retrieve online content.
Concurrently, LiteSpeed Web Server is becoming a popular, powerful alternative to Apache for web server hosting. Offers increased performance over Apache in many areas such as page loading speeds, memory and CPU usage as well as overall network throughput. Unlike Apache, LiteSpeed also consume threads from other processes if needed, allowing it to scale dynamically in response to changing load demands.
Moreover, LiteSpeed Web Server also provides more comprehensive resources settings with granular control. This allows administrators to focus on the details they want while still benefiting from the overall safety provided by the integrated security settings. For users looking for an advanced, high-performance web server alternative, LiteSpeed Web Server is an ideal option.
Pros of LiteSpeed Web Server
Cons of LiteSpeed Web Server
- Poor interface on the backend.
- Conflicts with other WordPress plugins.
6. Microsoft IIS
Next tool of Top 10 Best Apache Web Server Alternatives is Microsoft Integrated Information Services (IIS). Quite simply, it lets users deploy creative ideas on the web. Configure IIS using app command, PowerShell, and .NET framework. Microsoft gives you more control over your resources. It has a 99% uptime and gives developers a wide choice of programming languages to use.
Consequently, Microsoft IIS is used as an alternative to Apache and offers numerous advantages, including its versatility in supporting multiple programming languages, scalability features that allow for rapid growth, easy integration of .NET applications, and improved security with minimal configuration.
Pros of Microsoft IIS
- Access multiple web servers on a centralized platform.
- Full remote access and observability of cloud resources.
- Improves server performance through dynamic serving, cashing, and file compression.
- Has a reduced environmental footprint.
- Based on updated and enhanced security protocols.
- Microsoft provides its own IIS extensions.
Cons of Microsoft IIS
- Does not support Angular JS applications.
- Heavier workloads need auto scale features.
7. JBoss
JBoss is an open source community project by RedHat developers. Allows users deploy web servers on Azure, and RedHat Openshift. JBoss brings all the benefits of Jakarta EE environment. This server supports containerization, load balancing, monitoring and auto scaling on cloud environments.
As an alternative to Apache, JBoss offers impressive scalability and efficiency, supporting industry-leading architectures such as Java EE, SOA, and microservices. It also provides users with comprehensive support for asset management, transaction processing, messaging services and security domains.
Furthermore, JBoss users benefit from a strong developer community that delivers extensive documentation and tutorials on getting the most out of their software. Ultimately, JBoss offers businesses a highly capable server solution at no cost that rivals more expensive commercial alternatives like Apache.
Pros of JBoss
- Use JBoss as the application server when deploying Docker containers.
- Easy to install, run, and maintain.
- Faster serving of Java applications.
- Keep up with the latest Jakarta and RedHat updates.
Cons of JBoss
- It takes time to perform migrations and release new versions.
- Does not utilize data analytics and ML to provide constructive recommendations to improve server performance.
8. Eclipse Glassfish
Eclipse Glassfish web server is an open source project of Eclipse. It is a Java Enterprise Edition compatible application server, providing an Apache alternative for web development. Developed as an enterprise level platform for developing solutions for large businesses or government applications. The software includes all common application server features, such as caching, clustering, and load balancing, to ensure reliability and scalability.
Additionally, Eclipse Glassfish also offers improved security through its built-in authentication system and can interface with external identity stores such as LDAP or SAML-based services. By utilizing Eclipse Glassfish, enterprises can have confidence that their applications are secure yet still useable by those with varying levels of experience.
Pros of Eclipse Glassfish
- Guarantees server availability and good uptime.
- Users add containerization services, clustering, and load balancing services.
- Supports Linux, Windows, and MacOS operating systems.
- Has a simple interface for developers.
Cons of Eclipse Glassfish
- Under optimized performance compared to LiteSpeed web server.
- Poor memory recycling leads to frequent crashes when doing heavy workloads.
9. Jetty
Apart from Glassfish, Eclipse has the Jetty project. Jetty has few added features compared to Glassfish. It supports HTTP/2 products to accelerate performance. Whether you need a testing server, a server for development, or production, use Jetty regardless of where you are in the lifecycle. What is more, Jetty web server supports both lightweight and heavier use cases.
Equally, Jetty is a highly efficient, reliable, and lightweight web server that has caught the eye of many as an alternative to Apache. It comes with native support for Java servlet and various other technologies from the Eclipse foundation, making it an ideal choice for projects requiring rapid responses to high levels of requests. It scales easily and provides steady performance in clustered environments enabled through its modular nature.
All in all, Jetty is well suited for large enterprises needing an effective container capable of running services without many resources being allocated to operations like configuration or deployment. These advantages make Jetty an excellent candidate worth considering when making technology choices.
Pros of Jetty
Cons of Jetty
- Jetty has a steep learning curve.
- It takes a long time to boot up the server.
10. Wildfly
Last solution of Top 10 Best Apache Web Server Alternatives is Wildfly. An effective web server you use to build large scale web applications. It has great UX and is simple to use and implement. Easily access the server via the CLI, web SaaS, or native Java API. Developers customize the server to suit various use cases.
Interestingly, Wildfly is an excellent alternative to Apache for application servers. It boasts a high level of scalability, allowing administrators to increase functions and capabilities by adding new feature packs or runtime environments with minimal effort. Additionally, it offers significant improvements in performance over its predecessor, JBoss, without sacrificing usability.
In particular, Wildfly’s robust support for Java EE 7 makes it the ideal choice for developing modern web based applications. On top of that, the lightweight nature of Wildfly makes it easier to manage compared to other options on the market today. All in all, Wildfly is a powerful and capable solution that offers great value and convenience for anyone looking for a superior alternative to Apache as an application server.
Pros of Wildfly
- Has an application isolation feature that improves server security.
- The interactive user interface makes it easy to use.
- Has an excellent stateless memory management approach.
- Uses Jakarta EE, Eclipse and other standards to provide excellent solutions.
Cons of Wildfly
- Needs a sound resource allocation strategy to enhance memory.
Thank you for reading Top 10 Best Apache Web Server Alternatives. We shall conclude this article blog.
Top 10 Best Apache Web Server Alternatives (Pros and Cons) Conclusion
With so many options for Apache alternatives on the market, it is difficult to select just one. It’s best to look for a web server equipped with the features you need. Consider factors such as costs which can escalate your business expenses pretty quickly. Also, ensure your choice of the web server provides sufficient reliability as well.
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