The Most Popular HTTP Web Server, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the server you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 29, 2024 06:40
In the bustling world of web development, selecting the right HTTP web server can be as crucial as laying a strong foundation for a building. Understanding which servers are favored can aid both newcomers and seasoned developers in making an informed choice that best fits their project's needs. This ranking provides a snapshot of user preferences and trends in the server market, reflecting collective experiences and satisfaction.
By participating in these rankings, users contribute their voices to a broader community, helping shape the landscape of web technologies. Each vote offers a deeper insight into the usability, efficiency, and performance of various servers, guiding others toward solutions that provide reliability and optimal performance. Your input is valuable in helping demystify the options and steer peers towards well-supported tools that enhance their web development endeavors.
What Is the Most Popular HTTP Web Server?
-
157votes
Apache project · MITApache HTTP Server
The Apache Software FoundationApache is the most popular HTTP server, with over 50% of all active websites using it. It is open-source and highly customizable, with a large community of developers and users constantly improving its functionality.The Apache HTTP Server, commonly referred to as Apache, is a highly popular open-source HTTP web server software. It is known for its robustness, flexibility, and wide range of features. Apache has been consistently maintained and improved by the Apache Software Foundation and a large community of developers across the globe.- Stable Release: 2.4.46
- Initial release: 1995
- Programming Language: C
- Cross-platform: Yes
- License: Apache License 2.0
-
236votesNginx is a popular alternative to Apache, known for its high performance, scalability, and ability to handle a large number of requests simultaneously. It is commonly used for high-traffic websites and applications.Nginx is a popular web server and reverse proxy server software. It is known for its high performance, stability, and low memory usage. It can also act as a load balancer, HTTP cache, and mail proxy. Nginx is often used to serve static content, but it also supports dynamic content via FastCGI, SCGI, and uWSGI. It is designed to handle a large number of concurrent connections efficiently.
- High performance: Nginx can handle a large number of simultaneous connections efficiently
- Stability: Nginx is known to be stable even under high loads
- Low memory usage: Nginx has a small memory footprint and is optimized for memory efficiency
- Reverse proxy: Nginx can act as a reverse proxy to distribute incoming traffic
- Load balancing: Nginx can distribute incoming requests across multiple backend servers
-
320votes
Microsoft IIS
Microsoft CorporationIIS is the HTTP server included with Microsoft Windows operating systems. It is commonly used for hosting websites and web applications on Windows servers.Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) is a popular HTTP web server developed by Microsoft. It is designed to host websites and deliver web content across the internet.- Operating Systems: Windows
- Latest Version: IIS 10
- Release Date: February 2, 2016
- Supported Protocols: HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, FTPS, SMTP
- Authentication: Basic, Digest, Windows, Client Certificate Mapping, URL Authorization
-
427votesLighttpd is a lightweight HTTP server known for its speed and low resource usage. It is commonly used for serving static content and for running web applications with low resource requirements.Lighttpd, also known as Lighty, is a lightweight yet powerful open-source web server software. It is designed to be fast, secure, and flexible, making it suitable for both small personal websites and large enterprise applications. Lighttpd was first released in 2003 and has gained popularity for its efficient memory usage and low CPU load.
- FastCGI support: Enables efficient communication with various dynamic web application frameworks.
- Event-driven architecture: Allows for high scalability and performance while serving thousands of concurrent connections.
- URL rewriting: Supports flexible and powerful URL rewriting rules for clean and search engine-friendly URLs.
- SSL/TLS encryption: Provides secure HTTPS connections for data privacy and integrity.
- IPv6 support: Fully compatible with the latest Internet Protocol version 6.
-
59votesCaddy is a modern, open-source HTTP server that emphasizes ease of use and security. It is designed to be simple to configure and manage, and includes features like automatic HTTPS encryption and easy integration with other web services.Caddy is a modern, open-source HTTP/2 web server written in Go. It aims to be simple to use, secure, and efficient, allowing users to easily set up and host their websites.
- HTTP/2 Support: Caddy fully supports HTTP/2, allowing for faster and more efficient communication between clients and server.
- Automatic HTTPS: Caddy automatically provisions and manages TLS certificates for domains using Let's Encrypt, enabling HTTPS by default.
- Easy Configuration: Caddy uses a simple configuration file format that is easy to understand and edit, making it accessible to users of all skill levels.
- HTTP/3 Support: With Caddy 2, support for HTTP/3, the latest version of the HTTP protocol, has been added, further improving performance.
- Reverse Proxy: Caddy can act as a powerful reverse proxy, allowing users to distribute incoming requests efficiently across multiple backend servers.
-
613votesGunicorn is a Python WSGI HTTP server known for its speed and scalability. It is commonly used for running Python web applications and frameworks like Django and Flask.Gunicorn is a popular HTTP web server for Python web applications. It is designed to handle multiple concurrent requests, providing a reliable, fast, and efficient server solution.
- Concurrency Model: Asynchronous Workers
- Worker Processes: Multiprocess architecture
- Worker Class: Sync, Eventlet, Gevent, Tornado, or Gthread
- HTTP, WSGI, and Websocket Support: Yes
- Load Balancing: Supported
-
710votesJetty is a Java HTTP server and servlet container known for its speed and flexibility. It is commonly used for running Java web applications and servlets.Jetty is a highly scalable and efficient HTTP web server and servlet container. It is widely used due to its performance, flexibility, and small footprint. Jetty is written in Java and is known for its support of the latest Java Servlet API specifications.
- Servlet API: Jetty supports the latest Java Servlet API specifications, including Servlet 5.0.
- HTTP/2: Jetty supports the HTTP/2 protocol, which allows for improved efficiency and performance compared to traditional HTTP.
- WebSocket: Jetty provides built-in WebSocket support, allowing for real-time bidirectional communication between clients and servers.
- Continuations: Jetty provides continuation support, which allows for asynchronous processing of requests and efficient handling of concurrent connections.
- SSL/TLS: Jetty supports SSL/TLS encryption, ensuring secure communication between clients and servers.
-
87votes
IBM HTTP Server
IBMIBM HTTP Server is a web server based on the Apache HTTP Server, but with additional features and support for IBM products like WebSphere and Lotus Domino.IBM HTTP Server (IHS) is a secure and scalable web server based on Apache HTTP Server. It is designed to deliver high-performance static and dynamic web content for enterprises.- Compatibility: Built on Apache HTTP Server, it maintains compatibility with Apache modules and configuration.
- Security: Includes advanced security features such as SSL/TLS encryption, authentication, and authorization mechanisms.
- Scalability: Capable of handling high traffic volumes and supporting multiple simultaneous connections.
- Performance: Optimized for speed and efficiency to ensure fast delivery of web content.
- Load Balancing: Supports load balancing to distribute traffic across multiple servers, improving performance and reliability.
-
98votesTomcat is a Java servlet container and HTTP server that is commonly used for running Java web applications. It is known for its ease of use and flexibility.Tomcat is an open-source HTTP web server and container that can execute Java Servlet, JavaServer Pages, Java Expression Language and Java WebSocket technologies. It is widely used for hosting Java-based web applications and is known for its lightweight and easy-to-use nature.
- Latest stable version: 9.0.43
- First release: December 1999
- Language support: Java
- Web protocols supported: HTTP, HTTPS
- Platform support: Cross-platform
-
105votesCherokee is a lightweight, flexible HTTP server known for its ease of use and support for a wide range of web technologies. It is commonly used for hosting websites and web applications on Linux servers.The Cherokee tribe is one of the most beautiful Native American tribes, known for their rich cultural heritage and strong sense of community. They are a sovereign nation with their own government and laws, residing primarily in the southeastern United States. The Cherokee people have a remarkable history and have made significant contributions to various fields.
- Language: Cherokee language, a part of the Iroquoian language family.
- Religion: Traditional beliefs that encompass spiritual practices, such as animism and ceremonies.
- Trail of Tears: The forced removal of Cherokee people from their ancestral lands in the 1830s, resulting in tremendous suffering and loss.
- Sequoyah: The creator of the Cherokee syllabary, which allowed the Cherokee people to develop a written language.
- Art and Crafts: Known for their intricate beadwork, pottery, basketry, and wood carving.
Missing your favorite server?
Graphs
Discussion
Ranking factors for popular server
-
Market ShareThe percentage of websites that are using the web server software, indicating its popularity and wide adoption.
-
PerformanceThe web server's ability to handle high traffic loads, serve pages rapidly, and manage connections efficiently. This can include metrics such as requests per second, latency, and throughput.
-
SecurityHow well the web server software defends against security issues such as vulnerabilities, exploits, and denial-of-service attacks. This may include factors such as patch frequency and the history of security issues.
-
ScalabilityThe web server's ability to grow and adapt to increasing traffic demands without negatively impacting performance or availability.
-
Flexibility and FeaturesThe range of features and configurability options that a web server offers. This can include support for various programming languages, platforms, and third-party tools.
-
Ease of Use and ConfigurationHow easy it is for users to set up, configure, and manage the web server, including the availability of documentation, support, and user communities.
-
Support and EcosystemThe quality of documentation, user guides, and forums, as well as the community's engagement and expertise in providing support.
-
Licensing and CostThe licensing terms, pricing or cost of the web server software, and any associated costs for maintenance or support.
-
Platform CompatibilityThe web server's compatibility with various operating systems, hardware, and cloud providers.
-
Integration with Other ServicesThe ease with which the web server integrates with other services such as caching, CDNs, and load balancers, among others.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular HTTP web server. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or servant is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2470 views
- 189 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each servant once every 24 hours. The rank of each servant is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular http web server
When it comes to serving web content, one of the most crucial components of the process is the web server. An HTTP web server is responsible for handling requests and sending responses to web browsers. Over the years, several web servers have emerged as dominant players in the market, each with its own set of features and capabilities.
Some of the most popular HTTP web servers include Apache, Nginx, and Microsoft IIS. Apache, which was first released in 1995, has been the most widely used web server for many years. Nginx, on the other hand, is known for its high-performance capabilities and is often used in scenarios that require speed and efficiency. Microsoft IIS is another popular web server that is widely used by businesses and organizations that rely on Microsoft technologies.
Each of these web servers has its strengths and weaknesses, and the choice of which one to use ultimately depends on the specific needs of the user. Regardless of which web server is chosen, however, it is clear that the HTTP web server is an essential component of the web development process and plays a significant role in the delivery of web content.
Explore other rankings
Check out some of the other recommended rankings on StrawPoll and make your voice heard.
