Regarding web server technology, two names often dominate the conversation: Apache and LiteSpeed. Apache has been a long-time standard in web hosting environments, while LiteSpeed has gained traction for its performance claims, especially with WordPress and other CMS-driven websites.
Does LiteSpeed outperform Apache? In this post, we’ll compare the two web servers across key technical metrics, break down how each performs under different workloads, and help you understand which is right for your hosting needs.
Why This Comparison Matters
Your web server plays a critical role in site performance, scalability, and security. Choosing between Apache and LiteSpeed isn’t just a backend decision it affects:
- Page load times
- Server resource usage
- Hosting costs
- User experience
- SEO rankings
What Is Apache?
Apache, formally known as the Apache HTTP Server, is free, open-source, and cross-platform web server software developed and maintained by the Apache Software Foundation. It hosts and serves web content such as websites, web applications, and services over the Internet or an intranet using the HTTP and HTTPS protocols.
Background and History
- Founded: 1995
- Created by: A group of developers who built it from the original NCSA HTTPd server
- Name origin: Some say “Apache” was chosen in honor of the Native American Apache tribe, known for their resilience. Others associate the name with “a patchy server,” referencing the patchwork development of the early code.
- Managed by: The Apache Software Foundation (ASF), a non-profit that also maintains other popular open-source projects like Apache Hadoop, Apache Kafka, and Apache Spark.
Core Functions Apache HTTP Server
- Listens for requests from clients (e.g., web browsers).
- Processes those requests according to its configuration.
- Responds with the requested content: HTML pages, images, video, scripts, or error messages.
ProTip: It can serve both static content (like images and HTML) and dynamic content (via server-side languages like PHP, Python, Perl, etc.).
Architecture and Features
Apache uses a modular architecture that allows administrators to load only the functionality they need. Some common modules include:
mod_ssl: Adds support for SSL and TLS (HTTPS).mod_rewriteAllows for flexible URL rewriting.mod_proxy: Enables proxy/gateway functionality.mod_php: Processes PHP scripts.
Security
- Supports access control, SSL/TLS encryption, and authentication mechanisms.
- Allows configuration of security settings per directory or virtual host.
Configuration Files
- Main config file:
httpd.conf - Virtual hosts and modules are usually configured in additional files like:
apache2.conf,sites-available/,sites-enabled/(in Debian/Ubuntu systems).htaccessfor per-directory overrides
Virtual Hosting
Apache supports:
- Name-based virtual hosting: Multiple websites on the same IP address.
- IP-based virtual hosting: Websites on separate IPs.
- Port-based hosting: Different sites on different ports.
Use Cases
- Hosting websites and blogs
- Serving REST APIs and web services
- Acting as a reverse proxy
- Load balancing
- Running content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, Drupal, Joomla
Platforms Supported
Apache runs on a wide range of operating systems
- Linux/Unix (most common)
- Windows
- macOS
- Solaris and others
Apache in a Web Stack
Apache is often used in conjunction with other software in stacks such as:
LAMP Stack:
- Linux (Operating System)
- Apache (Web Server)
- MySQL or MariaDB (Database)
- PHP, Python, or Perl (Scripting Language)
What Is LiteSpeed?
LiteSpeed Web Server (LSWS) is a commercial, high-performance, and secure web server software developed by LiteSpeed Technologies. It is designed to be a drop-in replacement for Apache, meaning it can use existing Apache configuration files (like .htaccess and httpd.conf) while offering significantly better performance, especially under high traffic conditions.
Background and History
- Founded: 2003
- Developer: LiteSpeed Technologies Inc.
- Written in: C++
- Available versions:
- OpenLiteSpeed (OLS) – free and open-source
- LiteSpeed Enterprise – commercial version with full feature set
Key Objectives
LiteSpeed was created to address limitations in traditional web servers (like Apache), offering:
- Higher speed and concurrency
- Better security
- Reduced resource usage
- Built-in caching mechanisms
Core Features of Apache Compatibility
- Fully supports .htaccess, mod_rewrite, and mod_security.
- Compatible with most Apache-based setups, making migration easy.
Performance
- Handles thousands of concurrent connections with minimal memory and CPU usage.
- Uses event-driven architecture (like Nginx), rather than Apache’s process/thread-based model.
- Includes built-in caching (LiteSpeed Cache) for extreme performance with dynamic content.
Security
- Supports mod_security rules for web application firewall (WAF).
- Has built-in DDoS protection.
- Supports SSL/TLS with HTTP/2 and HTTP/3 (QUIC).
LiteSpeed Cache (LSCache)
- A powerful full-page cache engine integrated directly into the server.
- Offers advanced cache management for CMS platforms like:
- WordPress
- Magento
- Joomla
- Drupal
- Unlike external caching plugins, LSCache is server-level, making it much faster.
Admin Interface
- Comes with a user-friendly WebAdmin GUI for configuration and monitoring.
- Provides real-time statistics, graphs, logs, and security controls.
Architecture and Modules
LiteSpeed is modular, supporting features through extensions and add-ons, including:
- Anti-DDoS features
- Cache management modules
- QUIC and HTTP/3 support
- Multiple PHP versions with external app configuration
Platform Compatibility
LiteSpeed runs on:
- Linux (most common)
- FreeBSD
- macOS (for development/test)
- Can be used with control panels like:
- cPanel/WHM
- Plesk
- CyberPanel (a free panel developed by LiteSpeed, optimized for OLS)
Use Cases
- High-traffic websites and blogs
- WordPress-based hosting platforms
- E-commerce sites (e.g., WooCommerce, Magento)
- Hosting providers and resellers
- Environments where Apache is underperforming
Advantages of LiteSpeed
- Speed: Especially with LSCache for dynamic content.
- Stability: Handles high traffic with low resource usage.
- Security: Strong built-in protections and mod_security support.
- Easy Migration: Works with Apache setups with little or no changes.
Read Also: HTTP/3 vs. HTTP/2: What It Means for Your Hosting Speed
Apache vs. LiteSpeed Technical Performance Comparison
#1. Architecture: Process vs. Event-Driven
- Apache: Uses a process-based model (prefork, worker, event MPM). Each request often spawns a new process or thread, which increases memory and CPU use under load.
- LiteSpeed: Uses an event-driven, asynchronous architecture. It handles thousands of concurrent connections efficiently, consuming fewer resources.
Winner: LiteSpeed — better concurrency and lower overhead.
#2. Static Content Performance
- Apache: Good at serving static content like HTML, CSS, and JS, but can become resource-heavy under traffic.
- LiteSpeed: Faster and more efficient due to optimized I/O and memory management.
Winner: LiteSpeed — consistently faster in benchmarks.
#3. Dynamic Content Handling (PHP)
- Apache: Relies on external modules like PHP-FPM to handle PHP processing. This adds layers and potential latency.
- LiteSpeed: Uses LSAPI (LiteSpeed Server API), a custom PHP handler that’s significantly faster than PHP-FPM.
Winner: LiteSpeed — especially beneficial for WordPress and CMS-based websites.
#4. Built-In Caching
- Apache: Requires third-party caching plugins or modules (e.g., WP Super Cache, Varnish, mod_cache).
- LiteSpeed: Comes with LiteSpeed Cache, a full-page, object-level, and browser caching system with ESI (Edge Side Includes) for WooCommerce and dynamic sites.
Winner: LiteSpeed — native caching delivers big speed boosts without plugins.
#5 HTTP/3 and QUIC Support
- Apache: Still lacks full HTTP/3 support and needs additional modules or proxies for QUIC.
- LiteSpeed: Built-in HTTP/3 and QUIC support for faster handshakes and reduced latency, especially on mobile.
Winner: LiteSpeed — ready for the future of web protocols.
#6. Security Features
- Apache: Highly configurable security via modules (e.g., mod_security), but it requires manual setup and updates.
- LiteSpeed: Supports mod_security rules, DDoS protection, anti-brute force, and reCAPTCHA integration out of the box.
Winner: LiteSpeed — more robust security defaults.
#7. Resource Usage
- Apache: More resource-intensive under high load due to process-based model.
- LiteSpeed: Uses far less RAM and CPU under the same traffic load.
Winner: LiteSpeed — more efficient scaling.
#8. Ease of Use & Compatibility
- Apache: Universally supported, beginner-friendly, and fully open-source.
- LiteSpeed: Fully compatible with Apache configurations (.htaccess, mod_rewrite), but requires a license (though OpenLiteSpeed is free with fewer features).
Tie — Apache wins for accessibility; LiteSpeed wins for seamless upgrades.
#9. Benchmarks & Real-World Results
Several performance tests (from WordPress.org Hosting Benchmarks and independent testing sites) show:
- LiteSpeed delivers 50–300% faster page load times than Apache on WordPress sites.
- LiteSpeed handles double or triple the concurrent users with the same resources.
- LiteSpeed Cache can outperform all major caching plugins when used on compatible hosts.
LiteSpeed vs. Apache: Which Should You Use?
Choose LiteSpeed if:
- You run WordPress, WooCommerce, or Magento
- Your site experiences high traffic or frequent traffic spikes
- You want built-in caching and HTTP/3 support
- You’re hosting with a provider that supports or offers LiteSpeed
Choose Apache if:
- You’re on a tight budget and need a free, open-source server
- You’re running low-traffic websites or development environments
- You need extensive customization not available in LiteSpeed
- Your host doesn’t offer LiteSpeed
FAQs
Q. Is LiteSpeed faster than Apache for WordPress?
A. Yes. LiteSpeed is optimized for WordPress and consistently delivers faster load times, better caching, and improved TTFB compared to Apache.
Q. Does LiteSpeed cost money?
A. Yes, the commercial version of LiteSpeed requires a license. However, many web hosts include it in their plans. OpenLiteSpeed is a free version with fewer features.
Q. Can I switch from Apache to LiteSpeed easily?
A. Yes. LiteSpeed is a drop-in replacement for Apache and supports .htaccess and Apache rewrite rules. Migration is typically smooth.
Q. Does LiteSpeed work with cPanel?
A. Yes. LiteSpeed integrates with cPanel, Plesk, and DirectAdmin, and can be managed from within WHM.
Q. What’s the difference between LiteSpeed and OpenLiteSpeed?
A. OpenLiteSpeed is the free, open-source version, missing some features like LSCache for WordPress and .htaccess support without restarting. LiteSpeed Enterprise offers full functionality and better performance.
Summary
From raw speed to resource efficiency, caching, and modern protocol support, LiteSpeed delivers a superior performance experience for most real-world hosting environments. That said, Apache remains a reliable, free option for development, learning, or low-demand sites. But for production-grade performance, especially for CMS-heavy or high-traffic websites, LiteSpeed is the clear winner.