Skip to main content

Apache

PropertyValue
descriptionApache HTTP Server (httpd), open-source web server software from the Apache Software Foundation.
tagsref

This page uses Apache to mean Apache HTTP Server (httpd).

Apache HTTP Server is open-source web server software used to serve websites, applications, and other HTTP services. It is maintained by the Apache Software Foundation and runs on modern operating systems including Linux and Windows.

What it does​

Apache receives web requests and returns the requested content or application response.

It is commonly used to:

  • Serve websites over HTTP and HTTPS
  • Host static files and dynamic applications
  • Route requests to application code such as PHP
  • Manage virtual hosts for multiple domains on one server
  • Act as a reverse proxy in front of application services

Core concepts​

Web server​

Apache is a server that listens for web requests and responds with content, headers, status codes, and other HTTP behavior.

Modular architecture​

Apache is highly modular.

That is why it is commonly extended with modules for URL rewriting, proxying, authentication, caching, SSL/TLS, and language integrations.

Virtual hosts​

Apache can host multiple sites on the same machine through virtual host configuration.

That is one of the reasons it became a foundational part of traditional web hosting environments.

Common use cases​

  • Shared hosting and traditional LAMP-style stacks
  • Serving PHP applications and CMS sites
  • Reverse proxying traffic to other services
  • Running multiple domains from one machine
  • Local development and staging servers

Practical notes​

  • Apache here means Apache HTTP Server, not the Apache Software Foundation as an organization.
  • Apache and Nginx are both web servers, but they are configured and optimized differently.
  • Apache is still widely used even though many newer stacks choose other web servers or edge platforms.
  • When people say httpd, they usually mean the Apache HTTP Server process or package.

Sources Used​

Frequently Asked Questions​

Is Apache the same as Apache HTTP Server?​

Yes. On this page, Apache means Apache HTTP Server unless a page explicitly says otherwise.

Is Apache the same as Nginx?​

No. Apache and Nginx are different web servers.

Does Apache still matter?​

Yes. It remains a major web server, especially in legacy stacks, shared hosting, and PHP-heavy environments.