Nginx vs. LiteSpeed: Which Web Server is Better?

When it comes to a web server, even a small difference can have significant implications for productive use - especially for computationally intensive websites with a high number of visitors, it can greatly affect properties such as efficiency and the Server Response Time (SRT). Both NGINX and LiteSpeed are web servers that have gained popularity in recent years and directly compete with traditional solutions like Apache or Microsoft IIS. Therefore, to make an informed decision on software, it is important to understand and consider the difference between NGINX vs. LiteSpeed.

Why is NGINX one of the most popular web servers?

An essential disadvantage of the Apache 2 web server, which dominated the market with a market share of up to 90% for a long time, was that its efficiency decreased as the number of parallel connections grew. To meet the requirements for a website with extremely high demand, NGINX was created, whose first version was programmed shortly after the turn of the millennium for the Russian search engine Rambler. A crucial difference from the previously used methods is the way NGINX processes requests and connections. Instead of handling them individually and separately, the web server bundles them, achieving excellent performance with low resource consumption. Other features include:

• Free to use under the BSD 2 Open Source License
• Small and efficient software with a modular design for extensions
• Support from developers and additional plugins available in a commercial version
• No support for local configuration through .htaccess files
• Possible use as a reverse proxy for another web server
• Optimised for websites with high visitor numbers and heavy traffic
• Very efficient use of available computing power
• Compatible with numerous operating systems including Linux, Microsoft Windows, and OpenBSD

Due to its advantages such as open-source code, high efficiency, and various load balancing options, many large websites and portals prefer NGINX. However, the lack of support for .htaccess complicates configuration for private users and companies without a professional IT department.

What are the arguments in favour of LiteSpeed as a web server?

Although LiteSpeed is one of the older web servers, it has long been overshadowed by competitors such as Apache 2 and NGINX. However, since around 2015, it has been steadily gaining market share and is now considered one of the most popular alternatives to Apache 2. This development is attributed to an innovative approach and the ability to replace Apache with LiteSpeed without any configuration changes. Behind the software is the company of the same name, which also offers professional and commercial support for setup and ongoing productive use. LiteSpeed is distinguished by some exceptional features, including:

• Direct replacement of Apache 2 with LiteSpeed possible
• Full support for Apache configurations and .htaccess files
• Full version is subject to a proprietary, paid license
• Costs depend on the number of CPU cores used
• Early support for new standards such as HTTP/3 or QUIC
• Excellent performance with compressed web pages

Although LiteSpeed still holds a niche position, its market share has been steadily and steeply increasing for about a decade. Key arguments against LiteSpeed for web hosting include the paid license and the lack of native integration in Linux distributions through integrated package managers for software installation.

What difference decides between NGINX vs. LiteSpeed?

With the web server NGINX, a proven and popular alternative to traditional solutions like Apache or Microsoft IIS is available, which has firmly established itself on the Internet due to its high efficiency and functionality. However, LiteSpeed has managed to combine numerous advantages of Apache 2 and NGINX. One crucial difference, however, lies in its commercial license, which makes LiteSpeed rather unattractive for private use or cost-effective deployment in small and medium-sized enterprises. Nevertheless, many innovative IT companies including agencies and web hosting providers opt for LiteSpeed because it supports new standards much faster than the competition. Therefore, it is an excellent choice for a web server that works efficiently, optimises demanding tasks, and adopts the benefits of current developments early on.

Find out more about the advantages and disadvantages of other web server variants in a detailed comparison:

Apache vs. Nginx
Apache vs. IIS
Apache vs. LiteSpeed

Our article is based on our own experiences and research, as well as information from external sources.

Sources & further links on the topic:
https://nginx.org/ (official website of the NGINX web server)
https://www.litespeedtech.com/ (official website of the LiteSpeed web server)

Image credit:
Gerd Altmann on Pixabay